The cast of the hit Broadway show Hamilton will not use prop muskets during their performance at the Tony Awards on Sunday night in the wake of Sunday morning’s terror attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando that left 50 people dead and another 53 injured.
A spokesperson for the awards show confirmed the change in a statement to CBS News.
New York Times theater reporter Michael Paulson also tweeted about the change on Sunday afternoon, just hours before the awards show was set to begin.
Breaking: Cast of @HamiltonMusical is dropping the use of muskets from their #TonyAwards performance tonight because of Orlando.
— Michael Paulson (@MichaelPaulson) June 12, 2016
The Tony Awards has dedicated Sunday night’s show to the victims of the attack.
“Our hearts are heavy for the unimaginable tragedy that happened last night in Orlando,” the Tony Awards said in an official statement. “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected. The Tony Awards dedicate tonight’s ceremony to them.”
The 2016 #TonyAwards are dedicated to those affected by the events in Orlando. pic.twitter.com/ILNbbhxSHD
— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) June 12, 2016
Hamilton is expected to dominate Sunday night’s show, where it is nominated for 16 awards.
The show’s creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, tweeted his support for Orlando’s terror victims earlier on Sunday:
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 12, 2016
The cast of the hit show is expected to perform two musical numbers toward the end of Sunday night’s broadcast.
Follow Daniel Nussbaum on Twitter: @dznussbaum
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