Lin-Manuel Miranda and the ‘Hamilton’ Cast Light Up the Tonys Again
It was one of those moments that makes Broadway feel like a living, breathing part of American culture. Ten years after Hamilton first opened, Lin-Manuel Miranda and the original cast came back together for a live medley at the 2025 Tony Awards — and they didn’t disappoint.
A Reunion a Decade in the Making
The reunion wasn’t just a quick cameo. This was 28 original cast members, including Miranda himself, hitting the stage at Radio City Music Hall. And they didn’t come alone. They brought the energy that once made Hamilton a cultural tidal wave. Ensemble dancers, swings, standbys, and the core stars all stood side by side.
The crowd watched as they flowed through a medley of the musical’s most iconic numbers. “Non-Stop,” “My Shot,” “The Schuyler Sisters,” “Guns and Ships,” “You’ll Be Back,” “Yorktown,” “The Room Where It Happens,” and “History Has Its Eyes on You” all made the cut. It was a power-packed celebration of everything Hamilton stood for — a burst of rhythm, revolution, and history.
A Stylish Return, Without the Costumes
This time around, there were no colonial wigs or 18th-century jackets. The cast ditched the period costumes for all-black evening wear that still hinted at their characters. Lafayette had his French beret. Burr wore a cape like he was still dueling. And King George? He was the only one in bold red, holding onto his royal flair.
Even without dialogue, the medley didn’t need words to make its point. The stage presence and choreography said it all. The moment was big. The crowd knew it. Broadway knew it.
Cynthia Erivo’s Tribute Set the Tone
Before the performance kicked off, Cynthia Erivo — this year’s host — gave Hamilton its well-earned flowers. She reminded viewers how the musical flipped the script on what American theater could be. “Hamilton reinvigorated the American theater,” she said. “And changed not just Broadway, but how Americans view their own history… or so I’m told.”
Her words weren’t just praise. They were a nod to how Hamilton did something rare. It made history feel urgent. It made theater feel cool. And it brought hip-hop storytelling to a stage where few expected it.
Remembering the Original Tony Night
The performance also called back to that unforgettable 2016 Tonys. Hamilton had been nominated for a record 16 awards and won 11. But that night wasn’t just about trophies. Hours earlier, tragedy struck at the Pulse nightclub in Florida.
The cast made the powerful decision to remove muskets from their performance that evening. And Lin-Manuel Miranda, in his now-famous acceptance speech, delivered the words, “Love is love is love is love,” which echoed far beyond the walls of the Beacon Theatre.
From Stage to Screen to a Global Legacy
Since opening on August 6, 2015, Hamilton has only grown. It has toured the world, become a streaming hit on Disney+, and earned over $3 billion in North America alone. Even ten years in, it’s not slowing down.
The medley at this year’s Tonys wasn’t just a flashback. It was a celebration of something that’s still very much alive. A moment where theater, music, and history came together — once again — in the room where it happened.
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