The cast of Broadway smash “Hamilton” will not be using prop muskets during their Tony Awards performance tonight after the deadly shooting at an Orlando, Fla., gay nightclub early Sunday Morning.
New York Times theater reporter Michael Paulson first reported that “Hamilton,” which is up for a record 16 Tonys, will not use the muskets on CBS’ Tonys broadcast tonight. The show takes place partly during the Revolutionary War, and some songs require the use of soldiers with weapons.
Breaking: Cast of @HamiltonMusical is dropping the use of muskets from their #TonyAwards performance tonight because of Orlando.
— Michael Paulson (@MichaelPaulson) June 12, 2016
“Hamilton” star Lin-Manuel Miranda commented on the shooting on the Tonys red carpet.
“On a day marked by such tragedy to get to celebrate such works of art … I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” he said, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The shooting at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub left at least 50 people dead and 53 injured, making it the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. The gunman was identified as Omar Mateen, a U.S. citizen from Port St. Lucie, Fla., who called 911 prior to the attack and pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State.
This year’s Tony Awards will be dedicated to the friends and families of the victims, its official Twitter account announced earlier Sunday.
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected. The Tony Awards dedicate tonight’s ceremony to them. (2/2)
— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) June 12, 2016
Our hearts are heavy for the unimaginable tragedy that happened last night in Orlando. (1/2)
— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) June 12, 2016
The Broadway community, which is notable for having a large LGBT population, spent Sunday publicly mourning the Orlando victims. The Twitter mourners included Miranda, “The Color Purple” Star Danielle Brooks, “She Loves Me” star Laura Benanti, “Shuffle Along” star Audra McDonald and “Fully Committed” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
Hearing about this senseless & horrific tragedy in #Orlando. Heartbroken for my LGBTQ brothers & sisters. Time for change. #GunControlNow
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) June 12, 2016
WAKE UP AMERICA! WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP! OR WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE IN OUR SLEEP! https://t.co/V8ndz0ry1L
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) June 12, 2016
Tonight, every note I sing will be in remembrance of the lives taken in Orlando. ?
— Laura Benanti (@LauraBenanti) June 12, 2016
So sad about this tragic news #OrlandoShooting praying for the families of those who lost loved ones.
— Danielle Brooks (@thedanieb) June 12, 2016
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 12, 2016
Catch this year’s Tony Awards at 8 p.m. on CBS.
