Arts & Entertainment
Tony Awards honors Orlando victims; ‘Hamilton’ wins 11 awards
theater community takes time to recognize tragedy
(Daveed Diggs and Lin-Manuel Miranda performing in ‘Hamilton’ at 70th Annual Tony Awards. Screenshot via YouTube)
The 70th annual Tony Awards recognized the top contenders in the theatre community, but the victims of the biggest mass shooting in U.S. history was still top of mind.
Host James Corden began the awards show with a message to Orlando.
“On behalf of the whole theater community and every person in this room, our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity,” Corden said in reference to the Orlando massacre at gay nightclub Pulse early Sunday morning. “All we can say is you are not on your own right now. Your tragedy is our tragedy. Theater is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced and is loved. Hate will never win. Together, we have to make sure of that. Tonight’s show stands as a symbol and a celebration of that principle. This is the Tony Awards.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda accepted the award for Best Score for his musical brainchild “Hamilton” by reciting a sonnet that served as a moving tribute to both his wife Vanessa Nadal and to the Orlando victims.
“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 hate and fear seem stronger. We rise and fall, and light from dying embers. Remembrances that hope and love last 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,” Miranda tearfully read.
The “Hamilton” cast performed “History Has Its Eyes on You” and “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down), with the latter performance including a noted difference between the Broadway production and the Tony performance. This particular performance did not include prop guns in the choreography. New York Times theater reporter tweeted early Sunday the cast had decided to omit the muskets from the stage in light of the Orlando tragedy.
Actor Frank Langella accepted the award for Best Lead Actor in a Play for “The Father” and used his speech, which he admitted in the press room following his win to writing before the broadcast, to offer encouraging words to Orlando.
“I found some words that will mean more to you than a list of names,” Langella said. “When something bad happens we have three choices: we let it define us, we let it destroy us, or we let it strengthen us. Today in Orlando we had a hideous dose of reality, and I urge you Orlando to remain strong.”
The Tony Awards also tweeted Sunday evening nominees and attendees would be wearing silver ribbons, created by Broadway costume designer William Ivey Long, at the ceremony.
“Hamilton” raked in 11 awards including for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design of a Musical. Actor Leslie Odom Jr. won Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as Aaron Burr in “Hamilton.” Renée Elise Goldsberry’s role as Angelica Schuyler earned her a win for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Daveed Diggs also won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his dual roles as Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson.
“The Color Purple” won for Best Revival of a Musical and Cynthia Erivo won for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as Celie Harris Johnson in the production.
All four acting awards went to actors and actresses of color.
“The Humans” won for Best Play and Jessica Lange won for Best Lead Actress in a Play for her role as Mary Tyrone in “Long Day’s Journey Into Night.”
For a complete list of winners, visit here.
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
Friday, June 12
Bet Mishpachah will host “Pride Shabbat Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. This is an in-person happy hour with an open wine and beer bar, great company, and joyful conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, June 13
Out N Bad will host “SWEET WHINE: DC Pride Queer Caribbean Slow Whine Function” at 9 p.m. at Decades DC. This is a late-night escape into slow and steamy Dancehall & Kompa only. No splits. No headtops. No pressure. Tickets are $22.14 and are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a screening of “10s Across the Borders,” a bold pan-Asian queer film that confronts homophobia, transphobia, and racism while celebrating Southeast Asia’s underground ballroom scene. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sunday, June 14
Beth A Wolfe Yoga will host “Pride Baby Goat Yoga” at 1 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Va. The goats will be decked out in their finest Pride apparel, and human participants are welcome to do the same. Proceeds from this event will go to the Trevor Project. Tickets cost $44.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 15
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, June 16
“Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” will be at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a full-time Martial Arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, June 17
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, June 18
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Baltimore Pride is here
Calendar: June 12-18
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