History has its eyes on the biggest night in Broadway, and the smash hit Hamilton: An American Musical took the spotlight at the 70th Tony Awards from beginning until end.
Lyricist and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda's brainchild, which has already broken records for the most number of Tony Award nominations, bagged 11 awards out of 16 nominations.
Even the introduction for this year's host, James Corden, was a spoof of the musical's opening song - a proof of the show's growing influence. The awards show also ended with a surprise number from the cast.
How Does A Rapper, Lyricist, Puerto Rican Boy ...
Nearly seven years ago, Miranda performed a new song at the White House, saying that it was about "someone who embodies hip-hop" - the country's first Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton.
Back then, Miranda's introduction of his plans to produce a concept album about Hamilton, who was also a founding Father of the United States, immediately garnered laughs from the audience, including first Lady Michelle Obama.
"You laugh, but it's true!" Miranda had said. He went on to explain why he believed so: despite his origins, Hamilton became President George Washington's most-trusted right-hand man, the first Treasury Secretary and "caught beef with every other Founding Father all in the strength of his writing."
Years later, with more than a hundred Broadway shows and off-Broadway productions, Miranda's concept album emerged into a full-blown musical. Who's laughing now?
... Grow Up To Be A Genius And Tony Winner?
With Miranda's lyrics and music, producer Thomas Kail's direction, Alex Lacamoire's arrangement and the casts' incredible charm and charisma, Hamilton won the following awards, including Best Musical:
Paul Tazewell
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Howell Binkley
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Renée Elise Goldsberry
Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Daveed Diggs
Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Best Original Score
Alex Lacamoire
Best Orchestrations
Thomas Kail
Best Direction of a Musical
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Best Book of a Musical
Andy Blankenbuehler
Best Choreography
Leslie Odom Jr.
Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Other winners include the following:
The Humans
Best Play
A View From The Bridge
Best Revival of a Play
The Color Purple
Best Revival of a Musical
Jessica Lange, Long Day's Journey Into Night
Best Lead Actress in a Play
Reed Birney, The Humans
Best Featured Actor in a Play
Ivo van Hove, A View From The Bridge
Best Direction of a Play
Clint Ramos, Eclipsed
Best Costume Design of a Play
David Zinn, The Humans
Best Scenic Design of a Play
David Rockwell, She Loves Me
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Natasha Katz, Long Day's Journey Into Night
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Frank Langella, The Father
Best Lead Actor in a Play
Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Cynthia Ervo, The Color Purple
Best Lead Actress in a Musical
National Endowment for the Arts
Miles Wilkin
Special Tony Award winners
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Isabelle Stevenson Award
Paper Mill Playhouse
Regional Theatre Award
Sally Ann Parsons
Seth Gelblum
Joan Lader
Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre
Marilyn McCormick
Excellence in Theatre Education
Sheldon Harnick
Marshall W. Mason
Tony Lifetime Achievement
Miranda, who has already won a Tony Award for his score on his first musical In The Heights, is perhaps known best for his brilliant freestyle rap skills. He usually performs a freestyle during acceptance speeches, but this time, he recited a sonnet.
Watch his heartwarming acceptance speech below.
Aside from sweeping the Tony Awards, Hamilton has also received the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Dedication To Orlando Victims
The show struck a somber tone in the opening moments because of the terrible news in Orlando. Host James Corden dedicated the night to the victims of the tragedy.
"Theater is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced and is loved," said Corden.
