Less than 24 hours after a gunman killed 50 people at a Florida gay nightclub, the 70th annual Tony Awards kicked off with an impassioned statement from host James Corden about the attacks, followed by awards-speech references to the massacre by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and actor Frank Langella.

“On behalf of the whole theater community, and every person in this room, our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity,” Corden told the audience at Manhattan’s Beacon Theatre. “All we can say is you are 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.”

Tonys: James Corden Gives Somber Opening on Orlando Shooting https://t.co/vVdfltQoHb — Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 13, 2016

Corden continued by saying, “Hate will never win. Together, we have to make sure of that. Tonight’s show stands as a symbol and a celebration of that principle.”

Miranda, on stage to accept his award for Best Original Score, read a pre-written sonnet in which he noted that “senseless acts of tragedy remind us that nothing here is promised” and “we live through times when hate and fear seem stronger,” before noting that “love lasts longer—and love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love…[and] cannot be killed, or swept aside.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda recites passionate sonnet to Orlando in #TonyAwards acceptance speech https://t.co/uvZKLVh3Ft https://t.co/DXOx552QBN — Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 13, 2016

While accepting his award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in The Father, Langella dedicated his speech to talking about the shooting. “When something bad happens we have three choices: we let it define us, we let it destroy us, or we let it strengthen us,” he said. “Today in Orlando we had a hideous dose of reality, and I urge you Orlando to remain strong.”

In the hours before the show, it became clear the Florida attack—during which more than 50 people were wounded—would have a notable effect on the event. Representatives for the multi-nominee Hamilton noted that the cast members would not be using muskets during their performance. And earlier in the day, award organizers announced via Twitter that the evening’s program would be dedicated to “those affected by the events in Orlando.”

The 2016 #TonyAwards are dedicated to those affected by the events in Orlando. pic.twitter.com/ILNbbhxSHD — The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) June 12, 2016

Tony officials also announced that a special ribbon had been commissioned to remember those killed in the attacks: