James Corden vowed hate would "never win" as he opened the Tony Awards with a powerful monologue dedicated to the victims of the Orlando shooting.

James Corden and wife Julia at the Tony Awards

James Corden and wife Julia at the Tony Awards

At least 50 people died and 53 were injured when a gunman opened fire inside gay nightclub Pulse over the weekend and the 37-year-old talk show host began Sunday (12.06.16) evening's ceremony on a sombre note by dedicating the show to the victims of the tragedy.

Before the theatre awards' 'Hamilton'-inspired opening number, James said in a pre-recorded message: "Good evening. 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 theatre community and every person in this room, our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity.

"All we can say is you are not on your own right now. Your tragedy is our tragedy. Theatre is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, embraced and loved. Hate will never win. Together, we have to make sure of that. Tonight's show stands as a symbol and a celebration of that principle."

Earlier in the day, Tony bosses had confirmed the ceremony, which took place at New York's Beacon Theatre, would be dedicated to the Orlando victims, and the tragedy was referenced by a number of the evening's presenters and winners.

Barbra Streisand - who made her first appearance at the prestigious ceremony in 46 years - made reference to how art can bring "beauty" and "console us" in times of tragedy as she presented the Best Musical Award to 'Hamilton'.

She said as she introduced the accolade: "Tonight our joy is tinged with sorrow. But we're here to celebrate Broadway, and the beauty that artistry can bring into this world.

"I'm very thankful to be in the company of the people in this theatre.

"The artists who write the plays, the composers and lyricists who write the songs, and the actors who bring them to life. Art can entertain us and educate us, and in times like these, console us."

Jessica Lange, who picked up her first Tony award, taking home Best Actress in a Play for 'Long Day's Journey Into Night', admitted her award was a "dream come true", albeit on a "sad day".

She said: "This is a dream come true and it fills me with such happiness, even on such a sad day as this."

Frank Langella discussed the "hideous dose of reality" in Orlando as he picked up the Tony for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in 'The Father'.

He said: "Today in Orlando we had a hideous dose of reality, and I urge you, Orlando, to be strong, because I'm standing in a room full of the most generous beings on earth, and we will be with you every step of the way."

'Hamilton' star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has become renowned for his rap-based acceptance speeches, but when he picked up the Best Score of a Musical, he had something different in mind.

He said: "I'm not freestyling, I'm too old. I wrote you a sonnet instead."

He then sobbed through a poem which discussed his love of his wife, theatre as a haven for tolerance and inclusivity, and the Orlando shooting.

He said: "The show is proof that history remembers. We live in times when hate and fear seem stronger. We rise and fall in light from dying embers, remembrances that hope and love last longer."

Many attendees donned silver ribbons in tribute to those involved in the tragedy.

During the ceremony, 'Hamilton' was the evening's big winner, taking home a staggering 11 prizes.

The popular musical's cast closed the show, while other performances included those from the casts of 'The Color Purple', 'Spring Awakening', 'On Your Feet' - who were joined by Gloria Estefan - and 'Waitress'.

70th Tony Awards list of winners:

Best Play:

'The Humans'

Best musical:

'Hamilton:

Best revival of a play:

'A View From the Bridge'

Best revival of a musical:

'The Color Purple'

Best book of a musical:

Lin-Manuel Miranda, 'Hamilton'

Best original score:

Lin-Manuel Miranda, '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 leading actor in a musical:

Leslie Odom Jr., 'Hamilton'

Best leading actress in a musical:

Cynthia Erivo, 'The Color Purple'

Best featured actor in a play:

Reed Birney, 'The Humans'

Best featured actress in a play:

Jayne Houdyshell, 'The Humans'

Best featured actor in a musical:

Daveed Diggs, 'Hamilton'

Best featured actress in a musical:

Renee Elise Goldsberry, 'Hamilton'

Best scenic design of a play:

David Zinn, 'The Humans'

Best scenic design of a musical:

David Rockwell, 'She Loves Me'

Best costume design of a play:

Clint Ramos, 'Eclipsed'

Best costume design of a musical:

Paul Tazewell, 'Hamilton'

Best lighting design of a play:

Natasha Katz, 'Long Day's Journey Into Night'

Best lighting design of a musical:

Howell Binkley, 'Hamilton'

Best direction of a play:

Ivo Van Hove, 'A View from the Bridge'

Best direction of a musical:

Thomas Kail, 'Hamilton'

Best choreography:

Andy Blankenbuehler, 'Hamilton'

Best orchestrations:

Alex Lacamoire, 'Hamilton'

Special Tony Awards for lifetime achievement in the theatre:

Sheldon Harnick and Marshall W. Mason

Special Tony Awards:

The National Endowment for the Arts and Miles Wilkin

Regional Theatre Tony Award:

Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, New Jersey

Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award:

Brian Stokes Mitchell

Tony honours for excellence:

Sally Ann Parsons, Joan Lader and Seth Gelblum

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