At the Tony Awards tonight (June 12), an acceptance speech by Lin-Manuel Miranda might have stolen the show. The Broadway composer-playwright, having just won the award for best original score for the blockbuster musical Hamilton, moved many viewers and audience members with a tribute to his wife and a poetic reflection upon the Orlando shootings.
“Uh, I’m not free-styling. I’m too old,” he said. “I wrote you a sonnet instead…”
My wife’s the reason anything gets doneShe nudges me toward promise by degrees
She is a 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.
Thank you so much for this.
See his speech here (start at the 1:48 mark):
