The DVR began recording at 8:00 p.m., but it was 9:30 before I settled onto the couch to watch. The opening was somber, as I expected it to be. James Corden stood alone on stage and addressed the camera, his back to the full theater. Less than twenty four hours after the deadliest mass shooting in American history, what does the host say to viewers as he kicks off the Tony Awards? He says this:
“All we can say is you’re not on your own right now. Your tragedy is our tragedy. Theater is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced, and is loved. Hate will never win. Together, we have to make sure of that. Tonight’s show stands as a symbol and celebration of that principle.”
The show went on. It was a show full of music and unity, a temporary balm over the raw grief and horror of the day’s events. The Tony Awards are my Christmas morning, and I allowed the celebration of theater to hide reality in the wings for a few hours.
I could forget for a few hours. How many people couldn’t?
I feel guilty. My life goes on as usual, when so many others’ are irrevocably changed.
I am angry that extremist groups have warped a religion into a battle cry for hatred, intolerance and death.
I am frustrated that our government cannot do something beyond partisanship, name-calling, and blaming.
I am saddened that the term mass shooting is even a part of our vocabulary.
I am terrified that more and more Americans will know this kind of tragedy.
Yet.
The show does go on. Life goes on, because humanity prevails. I can live with the guilt, anger, frustration, sadness, and terror because ultimately I believe that humankind is better than this.
I could talk about gun control, or the presidential candidates. We need to talk about them, but I will not make this space a battleground. I will leave that to Facebook and Twitter, where powerful words unite and heal, or wound and divide.
On Sunday night, the Tony Awards drew its largest viewership in fifteen years, up 36% from 2015. I’m sure this is largely due to America’s love affair with Hamilton, which won eleven awards including Best Musical. Completely smitten, I have listened to the soundtrack over and over, and read the tome on which the musical is based.
I think of our founding fathers, living in an era of such revolution. Once the war was won, the country was theirs to build or destroy. There was fear, bigotry and violence, but there was also idealism, compromise, and hope. I wonder what Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, or Thomas Jefferson would think of their country today. Would they weep for what we have lost? Perhaps.
Or perhaps they would agree with the sentiments Hamilton’s creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, shared as he received his first Tony of the evening:
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 lived through times when hate and fear seemed 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’ve had such a hard time putting my head around everything this week. The mass shooting. The alligator. I saw this come in my inbox and knew I needed to wait. Your words are beautiful Dana. And now I wish I’d watched the Tony’s. I’m so glad you wrote this. Here’s to hanging in and holding on. xo
It was a horrible week – I wake up every morning dreading turning on the television to more tragedy. My heart hurts.
You put it so perfectly Dana. I can’t imagine how the families feel after such a tragedy. It’s truly heartbreaking that these things happen. As for what our government can do, I wish there were a simple answer. But there’s not.
I know. In addition to the complexity of the issues, we are so bipartisan that nothing seems to get done.
Dana its a solid and great idea. Love to go with it
The show does go on, and so do we. At least I hope.
XOXO – beautiful post.
So well written I have nothing to add except my wish that words like this outnumber words of hate and fear. Thanks Dana!
Thanks for reading, Julia.
Lovely! I didn’t watch the Tonys and theater is not my thing (although I would like to see Hamilton), but this is truly one of the best things I’ve read about the tragedy in Orlando.
Thank you so much, Lisa. I really didn’t know what I wanted to say, but I had to say something. I’m glad it resonated with you.
Yes THIS. Oh Dana, your words so deeply resonated with me- and with all that our country continues to suffer through, fight for, and hold onto.
Thank you for this. Such a powerful message to share.
Thank you, Chris. I rarely write pieces like this, but I just woke up on Monday and felt compelled to start typing.
Ugh.
Beautifully written, Dana. I hope, most fervently, that you never need to write a similar piece.
Oh, so do I, Kelly. I don’t think I have it in me.
#LoveWins, eventually, and now, if we let it. There will always be this kind of person, this kind of mindset, to contend with. I’d say there always has been. But there will always be light and love and creativity and our endless, quenchless power to connect with one another and within that unity, become stronger than any of us ever could alone.
I’m glad you watched the Tony’s, and I’m glad that the celebration of good and creativity and enjoyment went ahead, even though it was shadowed by tragedy. We need celebration and art and goodness more than EVER, these days.
I agree, Lizzi. And the Tonys found the right balance of celebration and observance, I think.
Oh Dana. This is beautiful. I wholeheartedly agree!
Thank you Allie 🙂
**I believe that humankind is better than this.** ( I do, too.)
And I believe what Ann Frank said so long ago: “Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.” (And look what was happening to her)
I have to believe this, Dana. I must.
Excellent Post. We all need this kind of “HOPE.” x
Thank you, Kim. You are one of the writers who inspire me to hope and believe in the face of darkness. I know that Anne Frank quote – it’s perfect for this time in history. Thank you for reminding me!
Yes. Yes. Yes. Humanity is better than this and I so believe like you do, that we will prevail.
I’m glad you believe that too, Kerri. It’s hard sometimes, but I just have to believe it.
So beautifully and powerfully said, Dana.
Thanks, Nina. It’s a departure for me, but I’ve been so moved by others’ words in response to this tragedy. I had to add my own.
Beautifully said, Dana. Although, I didn’t watch the Tony’s, I am still so raw myself from all that did happen in this senseless tragedy. You are right that collectively we go on, but for those directly effected by this their lives will never be the same. I truly have no words for that and just can’t even to begin to express it myself.
It is so hard to express all the feelings – I barely touched on my own. But I felt like I needed to write what I could.
Oh, Dana, how I could not agree with you more. Just reading this brought tears to my eyes. I am so saddened by what happened over the weekend, and that we’re in this position yet again.
I know. I read somewhere that Obama has made more speeches following mass shootings than he has had state dinners. So sad, and frustrating that nothing is changing.
Just beautiful Dana. My husband and I watched the Tony’s, probably for the first time ever, to be connected to something greater than us at a time of such separation and tragedy. This captured that perfectly. xo
Thank you, Allie. It was such a celebration of love and tolerance.