Tony Awards to Dedicate Show to Victims of Orlando Massacre
The awards show, hosted by James Corden, is the biggest night in Broadway.
— -- Tonight's Tony Awards ceremony, honoring the best in Broadway, will be dedicated to the victims of the Orlando gay club massacre – the worst mass shooting in recent U.S. history – that left at least 50 dead and scores more injured.
"Our hearts are heavy for the unimaginable tragedy that happened last night in Orlando," Tony Award Productions said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected. The Tony Awards dedicate tonight's ceremony to them."
Many of the nominees, preparing to head to New York City’s Beacon Theater Sunday evening, took to Twitter to reflect on those affected.
Others nominees focused on the excitement of Broadway’s biggest night of the year, including cast members of the hit musical “Hamilton,” which earned a record-breaking 16 nominations.
Still, the cast -- which is slated to perform "History Has Its Eyes on You" and "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)" during the awards show -- will amend their performance in light of Orlando's massacre, according to the New York Times. They will no longer use muskets.
"Orange Is the New Black" star Danielle Brooks, who made her Broadway debut in the revival of "The Color Purple," also earned a nod. She took to Twitter ahead of the awards show to share her excitement.
Other stars, including Lupita Nyong'o, Jessica Lange, Jeff Daniels, Michelle Williams, Jane Krakowski and Zachary Levi are also up for awards.
The 2016 Tony Awards, hosted by James Corden, airs tonight on CBS.