In Tonys opening, James Corden shares thoughts for Orlando, then performs huge musical celebration featuring ‘Hamilton’ and more
"Theater is a place where every race, every creed, every sexuality is equal, embraced, and is loved."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRVwHP__qMM
The Late Late Show host James Corden, who also has a background in theater, is hosting Sunday’s Tony Awards live at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
Following the tragic nightclub shooting that occurred early Sunday morning in Orlando, leaving 50 people dead and more than 50 injured, the Tonys announced before the awards that they’d be dedicating Sunday’s ceremony to Orlando’s shooting victims. Corden also opened with a pre-recorded poignant message to viewers.
“Theater is a place where every race, every creed, every sexuality is equal, embraced, and is loved. Hate will never win,” Corden said. “Together we have to make sure of that. Tonight’s show stands as a symbol and celebration of that principle.”
Corden then hopped into his opening performance, which kicked off with a parody number from the cast of Hamilton. (If you haven’t heard about it by now from literally everyone, Hamilton is a production that’s all the rage right now and was nominated for 16 Tonys this year.)
From that number, Corden segued into a song about his dreams when he was a kid, into which he incorporated pieces of songs from Annie, Cats, A Chorus Line, Evita, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, and way, way more.
Corden then brought out a group of kids to convey a message of empowerment and belonging, one that bore extra weight in light of the Orlando nightclub shooting.
“To the theater kids from any place with stardust in their eyes of every color, class, and race, and face, and shape, and size,” Corden sang. “To the boys and girls, transgenders, too, to every Broadway would-be: Don’t wonder if this could be you; it absolutely could be!”
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