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A recap of the 2016 Tony Awards for those who didn't watch

If you didn’t notice Twitter getting a little hysterical the other night, it was the 70th Tony Awards, an annual awards show that recognizes and celebrates the most successful Broadway plays and musicals of the past season. 

Other than the fact that the show should have been titled the HamilTONY’s – the smash hit, "Hamilton," took home 11 awards, nearly beating 2001’s "The Producers" as the winningest show of all time. 

The night was jam-packed with heartwarming moments and phenomenal performances.

In case you missed the action (or chose to watch Game of Thrones instead), here are the moments that everyone will be talking about, as well as the full list of winners. Go forth and discuss the theatre world like you know what you’re talking about.

Top 5 Best Moments

1. James Corden’s Opening Number

Following a topical joke about the diversity of the Tonys compared to the Oscars—appropriate, seeing as all four awards for best performances in a musical went to actors of color. Host James Corden performed an opening number that was humorous, inspirational and reminded us all that yes, in fact, he really can sing.

2. The Law and Order Jokes

Every good award show has at least one running joke, and James Corden decided to point out the fact that before they were Tony-nominated Broadway stars, everybody was on Law and Order. Everybody.

3. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tribute to the Orlando Shooting

In the wake of the shooting that occurred early Sunday morning at Orlando’s premier gay nightclub, Pulse, Hamilton writer and leading actor Lin-Manuel Miranda delivered a beautiful sonnet about love after winning the award for Best Original Score.

4. Renée Elise Goldsberry’s tearjerking Best Featured Actress Speech

After winning the award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Angelica Schuyler, "Hamilton" actress Renée Elise Goldsberry delivered a speech that brought her (along with the rest of the audience) to tears.

5. Cynthia Erivo’s powerful performance of “I’m Here”

"The Color Purple" star Cynthia Erivo delivered an unbelievably moving and passionate performance of “I’m Here” moments before winning the award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.


Full List of 2016 Award Winners

Best Musical

"Hamilton"

Best Leading Actress in a Musical

Cynthia Erivo, The Color Purple

Best Leading Actor in a Musical

Leslie Odom, Jr., Hamilton

Best Revival of a Musical

"The Color Purple"

Best Choreography

Andy Blankenbuehler, "Hamilton"

Best Costume Design of a Play

Clint Ramos, "Eclipsed"

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Paul Tazewell, "Hamilton"

Best Play

"The Humans" by Stephen Karam

Best Revival of a Play

Arthur Miller’s "A View from the Bridge"

Best Book of a Musical

Lin-Manuel Miranda, "Hamilton"

Best Orchestrations

Alex Lacamoire, "Hamilton"

Best Leading Actor in a Play

Frank Langella, "The Father"

Best Leading Actress in a Play

Jessica Lange, "Long Day’s Journey Into Night"

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Howell Binkley, "Hamilton"

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Natasha Katz, "Long Day’s Journey Into Night"

Best Featured Actor in a Play

Reed Birney, "The Humans"

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

David Rockwell, "She Loves Me"

Best Scenic Design of a Play

David Zinn, "The Humans"

Best Direction of a Musical

Thomas Kail, "Hamilton"

Best Direction of a Play

Ivo Van Hove, Arthur Miller’s "A View from the Bridge"

Best Original Score

Lin-Manuel Miranda, "Hamilton"

Best Featured Actor in a Musical

Daveed Diggs, "Hamilton"

Best Featured Actress in a Musical

Renée Elise Goldsberry, "Hamilton"

Best Featured Actress in a Play

Jayne Houdyshell, "The Humans"

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