Last night were the Tony Awards, the one night a year that I can revel in all things theater and satisfy my inner performing arts geek. Last night’s broadcast featured Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban as hosts. They were funny, relatable, and of course, their singing was phenomenal. Not that I’m a massive fan of them both or anything, so that opinion is strictly unbiased, lol. The night was magical, as most Tony Awards are, I love seeing performances from the nominated shows. It’s the only time I get to see the original Broadway casts of the popular shows. My favorite last night was from “Mean Girls,” I love the original movie and the show looks hilarious. My second favorite thing was the performance by members of the Drama Department from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. To see those students performing on the Tony stage so soon after surviving their horrific school shooting was so inspiring. As their teacher said those kids have found a safe haven and a way to express themselves through music and the performing arts. Overall the evening was a colorful display of inspiration, diversity, and just plain fun.

Then Robert De Niro came on the stage and said defiantly, “Fuck, Trump!” I cringed. The magic spell the evening had cast on me had been broken. The real world came storming back in and I didn’t want it to. Why did he have to choose that forum to say that? I wondered how many other people who were there and watching at home felt the same way. I feel like the standing ovation he received immediately after saying that was more of a knee-jerk reaction by the audience. That a few had stood up so others felt pressured to do the same. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of the people who feel like people in the entertainment industry shouldn’t speak out about politics and other issues. Everyone has a right to their opinion. I just wish Mr. De Niro hadn’t chosen that moment to steal the spotlight and the magic of the evening.