Watch Lin-Manuel Miranda's 2016 Tony Awards Sonnet: "Love Is Love Is Love Is Love"
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton started cleaning up early at the 70th annual Tony Awards on Sunday. The composer and star took the stage for the first time to accept the Tony for best score. When he did, he accepted with a sonnet written in response to the tragic shooting at gay club Pulse in Orlando, Florida, that left 50 dead and 53 wounded early Sunday morning.
"Senseless acts of tragedy remind us nothing here is promised," he said. "Not one day."
@Lin_Manuel just won Best Score for @HamiltonMusical, dedicating the award to his wife with this inspiring message:pic.twitter.com/PDGmpobiL2
He continued with a potent reminder: No matter how dark the world gets, for many, love will always conquer.
"We live in times when hate and fear seem stronger," Miranda said. "Love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love; cannot be killed or swept aside."
The speech resonated with audiences both in the theater — cheering louder and louder as he added each extra "is love" — and on Twitter at home.
"Now fill the world with music, love, and pride." LIN. #TonyAwards
Lin makes the world a better place
Read the full speech below.
My wife's the reason anything gets done
She nudges towards promise by degrees
She's the 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
remembrances that hope and love last longer
And 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
Now fill the world with music, love and pride
