"Hamilton" hit musical dominates Tony awards

PanARMENIAN.Net - As expected, the 70th annual Tony Awards was all about "Hamilton". The hit musical, which led the nominees with record-breaking 16 nominations, brought home 11 awards following the ceremony that took place Sunday night, June 12 at the Beacon Theater in New York, AceShowbiz reports.

The show won almost all categories it was nominated in, including the coveted Best Musical that was also vied by "Bright Star", "School of Rock: The Musical", "Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed" and "Waitress".

The "Hamilton" cast members appeared on the stage to receive the honor alongside producer Jeffrey Seller, who delivered an acceptance speech on behalf of the group. "I stand on this stage tonight and in this theater surrounded by dreamers - dreamers like Lin-Manuel, who had a big idea and worked tirelessly over six years to bring it to life," he said in front of the crowd.

" 'Hamilton', an American musical, embodies the best values and the best impulses that make our nation a beacon to the world - inclusiveness, generosity, ingenuity and the will to work hard to make our dreams come true. Look around, how lucky we are to be alive right now," he added.

"Hamilton" also bagged the Best Orchestrations and Best Choreography title. Its mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda helped the musical win the Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical Awards, while its star Leslie Odom Jr. was named the Best Leading Actor in a Musical.

"The Humans", "The Color Purple" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night" were other shows dominating the winner list. The former claimed the Best Play and Best Scenic Design of a Play titles in addition to Best Featured Actor in a Play for Reed Birney and Best Featured Actress in a Play for Jayne Houdyshell.

"The Color Purple", meanwhile, won Best Revival of a Musical and Best Leading Actress in a Musical for star Cynthia Erivo. As for "Long Day's Journey Into Night", it nabbed Best Lighting Design of a Play. Cast member Jessica Lange won her first-ever Tony as she defeated the likes of Lupita Nyong'o and Michelle Williams in the Best Leading Actress in a Play category.

"This is a dream come true and it fills me with such happiness even on such a sad day as this," Lange said in her acceptance speech, referring to the mass shooting in Orlando. "It's a thrill and a joy to be in the theater and be acknowledged by this community. I can't tell you how grateful I am, how moved I am."