‘Heartbroken’ Broadway stars take to social media about Orlando shooting

Hours before Sunday night’s live Tony Awards ceremony, news of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history spread via social media and press outlets. Taking place at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., overnight, the massacre has dampened spirits for the biggest evening of the Broadway year. But the show will go on, now in memory of the massacre’s victims, as announced via Twitter by the ceremony’s official account. 

Meanwhile, some of Broadway’s biggest stars have shared thoughts online about the shooting, which killed at least 50 and injured 53. Many of them will take to the stage at Sunday night’s ceremony from Manhattan’s Beacon Theater hosted by James Corden of CBS’ “Late Late Show.â€� Though a comedian, Corden and the show will be expected to show deference to the national tragedy, one that likely hits close to home to the theater community, which embraces the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. 

Heather Headley, “The Color Purple�

Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Hamilton�

Audra McDonald, “Shuffle Along�

Leslie Odom Jr., “Hamilton�

Josh Groban, “The Great Comet�

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “Fully Committed�

Cynthia Erivo, “The Color Purple�

The ceremony tapes live from New York on Sunday at 5 p.m. and will air on the West Coast at 8 p.m. 

Follow me on Twitter: @TrevellAnderson.