‘Hamilton’ Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda Honors Orlando Victims in Moving Poem
While accepting his award for Best Original Score at the 2016 Tony Awards, Hamilton creator and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda paid an emotional tribute to those lost and affected by the tragic mass shooting at Orlando nightclub Pulse on Sunday June 12.
As he took the stage, the celebrated composer — whose hit musical boasts a whopping 16 nominations this year — initially joked to the audience, "I'm not free-styling, I'm too old!"
Then, as Miranda revealed he had written a sonnet instead, things took a more somber turn as the Broadway star recited a beautiful and poignant poem in honor of his wife, Vanessa, as well as the victims of the Orlando massacre.
"We chase the melodies that seem to find us until they’re finished songs and start to play," he said. "When senseless acts of tragedy remind us that nothing here is promised, not one day."
He continued, trembling and fighting through tears: "The 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 — remembrance that hope and love lasts longer. And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside!"
It was a beautiful, albeit difficult to watch, tribute to those individuals impacted by Sunday's tragic events.
Read his moving speech in full, below:
My wife’s the reason anything gets done/ She nudges me towards promise by degrees / She is a perfect symphony of one/ Our son is her most beautiful reprise.
We chase the melodies that seem to find us until they’re finished songs and start to play/ 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 remembrance that hope and love last forever.
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. [We] fill the world with music, love, and pride.
See Photos From the 2016 Tony Awards Red Carpet: