DHAKA: The hip-hop musical Hamilton has dominated the Tony Awards in New York.

A hit show about the life of one of America’s founding fathers, it won best musical, score and lead actor awards, but failed to beat the record of 12 statuettes.

Barack and Michelle Obama introduced the cast of the musical with a video message at the ceremony, reports the BBC.

But the night was overshadowed by the news that 50 people had been killed in a gay club in Orlando the night before.

British comedian turned US chat show star James Corden opened the show with a tribute to diversity.

He said, ‘Hate will never win. Tonight’s show stands as a symbol and a celebration of that principle’.

The Hamilton cast changed their performance in the light of the shooting - they left their prop guns behind when they took to the stage.

Hamilton had been nominated in 16 categories. But it failed to match the unprecedented 12 Tonys won by The Producers in 2001.

BDST: 1325 HRS, JUN 13, 2016
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