Award Shows June 12, 2016
James Corden Opens Tonys with Touching Speech About Orlando
Before launching into one of the most epic opening numbers of all time at the Tony Awards, in which he sang bits of seemingly every famous Broadway tune, host James Corden delivered a somber speech that addressed Sunday morning's terrorist attack on Orlando gay club Pulse.
Variety reports Corden said:
"All around the world, people are trying to come to terms with the horrific events that took place in Orlando this morning. On behalf of the whole theater community and every people in this room, our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity. All we can say is you're 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 celebration of that principle."
Tonight's awards look set to become a living embodiment of the show-biz motto, "The show must go on."