"...love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside..."

The 2016 Tony Awards were presented on the same night as the tragedy in Orlando, the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. In his monologue, host James Corden addressed the shooting, which killed 50 people and wounded 53 others in a gay nightclub. "Our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity. ... You're not on your own. Your tragedy is our tragedy. Hate will never win. We have to make sure of that. Tonight's show stands as a symbol of that principle."

The awards show ended up earning the highest ratings in 15 years, with "Hamilton" taking home 11 wins from its historic 16 nominations. When he won for Best Original Score, "Hamilton" creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda said he wasn't going to freestyle, he wrote a "sonnet" instead. He got emotional as he read it to the audience:


"My wife's the reason anything gets done.
She nudges me towards promise by degrees.
She is a perfect symphony of one.
Our son is her most beautiful reprise.

We chase the melodies that seem to find us
until they're finished songs and start to play.
When senseless acts of tragedy remind us
that nothing here is promised -- not one day.

This show is proof that history remembers.
We live through times when heat and fear seem stronger.
We rise and fall and light from dying embers,
remembrances that hope and love lasts longer.

And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love
cannot be killed or swept aside.
I sing Vanessa's symphony. Eliza tells her story.
Now fill the world with music, love and pride."

Backstage, Entertainment Weekly reported, Miranda explained why he went with that sonnet speech: "I hadn't written anything going into today. I hadn't heard about the day's events until after our Tony rehearsal. I'd always had this time between rehearsal and tonight to think about what I'd say if I was lucky enough to be called up, and it sort of informed all of it." He also added this beautiful note: "We live in this world where beautiful and horrible things exist at the same time and often on the same day. ... Theater doesn't exist without the LGBTQ community. It's the cornerstone of our industry."

Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.