Broadway Stars Honor Orlando Shooting Victims Before Tonys Awards: Updating Live

In the wake of the horrific act of domestic terrorism in Orlando, Florida early on Sunday morning, the Broadway community has begun sending thoughts, prayers, and calls to action via social media.

Just after 2:00am EST, a shooter armed with two handguns and an AR-15 style assault riffle opened fire at the Pulse Night Club, a well-known LGBTQ club in Central Florida. As of the last official update, this disgusting act of hate has claimed the lives of 50 innocent victims, while at least 53 more were injured in the over three hour ordeal.

The heroic acts of local law enforcement officers and emergency medical professionals is being uniformly praised for preventing any further, unnecessary loss of life.

As the theatre community prepares to celebrate a remarkable season of diversity, inclusion, and compassion with the 70th Annual Tony Awards, many of Broadway's biggest stars have taken to social media to lend support to the Orlando victims and their families, to stand in solidarity with the Central Florida LGBTQ community, and to call for gun control legislation.

Below are tweets from the Broadway community about this unspeakable act. We will update this list with more throughout Sunday afternoon. While 140-character, social media statements cannot undo this morning's tragedies, they can serve as a reminder as to how strong we are as a nation and as a community, and can hopefully aid in moving us one step closer to ending mass shootings in the United States.

Stay tuned to BroadwayWorld for any updates on how today's act of terrorism will impact tonight's Tony Awards.

The 2016 #TonyAwards are dedicated to those affected by the events in Orlando. pic.twitter.com/ILNbbhxSHD

- The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) June 12, 2016

When does this end? When do we demand a change? When do we finally wake up from this God awful nightmare? https://t.co/wJICoKBQ96

- Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) June 12, 2016

Tonight, every note I sing will be in remembrance of the lives taken in Orlando. ??

- Laura Benanti (@LauraBenanti) June 12, 2016

I hope gay kids scared by Orlando watch the #TonyAwards tonight to see countless successful, empowered, Out Queer people loving each other.

- Andy Mientus (@andymientus) June 12, 2016

Tonight's performance by the cast of @SpringBway is dedicated to the victims of today's senseless tragedy, and to he hope we might end them.

- Michael Arden (@michaelarden) June 12, 2016

As artists we hope to heal the world through activism and our art- tonight at @TheTonyAwards we celebrate the best of what humanity can be.

- Alexandra Silber (@alsilbs) June 12, 2016

today is for condolences. tomorrow is for strategy. our council has already approved this. let's change the world. https://t.co/15pRqocBqq

- Kate Shindle (@AEAPresident) June 12, 2016

Love though your heart is breaking. You belong, you are loved, and you are enough. It's STILL time for action. #EnoughIsEnough

- Adrienne Warren (@adriennelwarren) June 12, 2016

My heart is breaking for our country & for those who lost friends/family members in this horrific act of hate & violence. #StandWithOrlando

- Megan Hilty (@meganhilty) June 12, 2016

I grew up in Florida and we braved many literal storms. We are survivors! "Raise a glass to Freedom!" #TONYAWARDS70

- Karen Olivo (@Karenolivo) June 12, 2016

As "the show goes on" at the Tony's tonight let it be a celebration of equality, love, and diversity going on too. We mourn but stand tall.

- josh groban (@joshgroban) June 12, 2016

My friend Brian Reagan is a manager at #PulseNightclub. He is safe. Many of his friends and loved ones are not. And here we are again.

- Steve Kazee (@SteveKazee) June 12, 2016

Deeply moved that in the face of tragedy Orlando & Americans everywhere are coming together to give blood, love & support.This is who we are

- Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) June 12, 2016

My heart breaks for the lives lost in Orlando. Just breaks.

- Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) June 12, 2016

My heart is broken for everyone in Orlando and elsewhere who has lived thru tragedies of gun violence. DONATE BLOOD IF YOU LIVE NEAR ORLANDO

- Lauren Molina (@lomo212) June 12, 2016

Actions made by people with guns can create only temporary solutions. Stories told by people quills can last forever. #whotellsyourstory

- David Korins (@DavidKorins) June 12, 2016

The tragedy in Orlando is just beyond sad. My deepest regrets to all those suffering. There are no words that suffice. I'm...stunned.

- Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) June 12, 2016

LAWS not prayers. Let's start with the AR 15 assault rifle. Let's start there.

- steven pasquale (@StevePasquale) June 12, 2016

Horrific scenes in Orlando. Great seeing so many unite to try and stand tall, proud and support. https://t.co/ZdiSxbecEK

- Ramin Karimloo (@raminkarimloo) June 12, 2016

My heart is broken with Orlando, Florida. This must stop. This must stop. This must stop.

- Colman Domingo (@colmandomingo) June 12, 2016

Send a message of hope and action to the Orlando community: https://t.co/lMB6PPcGUb via @Everytown

- Tonya Pinkins (@tonyapinkins) June 12, 2016

Children massacred in a school. People shot up in a church. 50 dead last night in a nightclub. How much more? We need to end it. #guncontrol

- Leslie Kritzer (@lesliekritzer) June 12, 2016

50 people were just killed in my hometown. Because of hate. pic.twitter.com/Z5P2yTdBVT

- Wesley Taylor (@WesTayTay) June 12, 2016

Prayers are not enough. But how do we take these platitudes and turn them into action? Feeling outraged, yet helpless, yet again. #orlando

- Benj Pasek (@benjpasek) June 12, 2016

I'm broken from this Orlando tragedy. My heart is with all of the families and our community there. #prayfororlando

- NICK ADAMS (@TheNickAdams) June 12, 2016

My heart goes out to the victims and the families of the victims involved in the Orlando mass... https://t.co/w4aFZOHUW0

- Laura Bell Bundy (@LauraBellBundy) June 12, 2016

??????????

- Donna Lynne Champlin (@DLChamplin) June 12, 2016

And there go my mentions. #GunsGunsGuns!!! #BadGuysWithGuns!!!#GoodGuysWithGuns!!!

- Tracie Thoms (@traciethoms) June 12, 2016

I wanted to be so angry on Twitter today about #OrlandoShooting but I think it's better to be informed and #change https://t.co/GWovhsF3Dm

- Andy Karl (@Andy_Karl) June 12, 2016

Tears are good, but action is better. And we need to take it. #LGBTQ #Pride #Love #Orlando #TakeAStand pic.twitter.com/iE0rmMk9S7

- Reeve Carney (@reevecarney) June 12, 2016

My heart is broken. My skin is crawling. And my mind is FURIOUS. CHANGE THE LAWS. STOP THE KILLING. Prayers are NOT ENOUGH. #Orlando

- Kate Rockwell (@KateRockwellNYC) June 12, 2016