Fans of Broadway crowded McGlohon Theater for 70th Tony Awards

There were laughs and tears, cheering and singing along, as fans of all ages crowded McGlohon Theater Sunday to watch the 70th annual Tony Awards live on a big screen.

Blumenthal Performing Arts offers the free show at Spirit Square each year. With food and drinks to tide guests over before the show began, there was lighthearted chatter about people’s favorite shows of the season. Audience members clapped along with those in the audience at New York’s Beacon Theatre, cheering for their favorites.

Of course, “Hamilton” – which won 11 Tonys and will come to Charlotte during the 2017-18 Broadway Lights season – was a popular subject. Watching the red carpet before the awards show, the audience cheered the first time “Hamilton” writer-composer-star Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared on screen, and then again every time after.

Doors opened for the free viewing at 7 p.m., and about 400 people rolled in. With show tickets and other prize giveaways offered during commercial breaks, the audience was upbeat and excited. About 40 people went home with packages ranging from a CD to dinner and tickets to a future Blumenthal show.

This story was originally published June 13, 2016 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Fans of Broadway crowded McGlohon Theater for 70th Tony Awards."