Entertainment

This Tonys Commercial Break Moment Is Everything

by Michelle Lulic

Sunday night's 70th Annual Tony Awards was a night full of appreciation for a year in theater, the Broadway community, and a tribute to the lives lost in the Orlando shooting that tragically occurred earlier that day. However, it was more than just James Corden's opening statement, Lin Manuel-Miranda's sonnet, and the variety of uplifting Broadway musical performances that pushed forward the ideas of love and acceptance. It was the wonderful moments between Broadway's biggest names and the audience as a whole that emphasized the importance of music and love. More specifically, it was the impromptu performance of Aladdin's "A Whole New World" by Jake Gyllenhaal, Sean Hayes, and James Corden, that stole the show for those fortunate enough to be watching in the audience at the Beacon Theatre.

And now it's a moment that is no longer going unseen by those who were watching at home. As a part of a commercial break segment that Corden referred to as "commercial karaoke," actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Sean Hayes decided to join the show's host on stage to sing the popular Disney song before the theater's audience. But — considering how amazing and catchy the song is — it was only a matter of time until the entire audience joined in on the uplifting song. Thanks to Hayes himself, the moment was posted on his Facebook page for all of us to see. And it was a moment that is definitely worth seeing.

Hayes, Gyllenhaal, and Corden's individual abilities to each be the perfect Aladdin is just the cusp of why this moment is so amazing to watch. It's the lyrics in "A Whole New World," such as, "A whole new world / A new fantastic point of view / No one to tell us no or where to go / Or say we're only dreaming," that only seemed to further emphasize the point of coming together and pushing forward at the end of a somber day in American history. As the song, the stars themselves, and the joining of everyone's voices in the audience came together, the Tonys further proved the importance of art in both the aspect of reflection and how it helps to shape the future.

And all of this happened through the pure need for fun. In fact, Hayes not only posted the video, but he described the event featured in the brief minute-long clip in his post as well that emphasizes the power of the fun within the theater community.

"During commercial breaks at The Tony's tonight, the amazingly brilliant James Corden started up a Broadway-themed "commercial karaoke". He asked for volunteers. Jake Gyllenhaal & I were happy to oblige with our rendition of "A Whole New World" from ALADDIN. ‪#‎TheTonyAwards‬"

Now there is only one thing to do: re-watch this clip over and over and over again. I don't think it's possible to ever get enough of this serious commercial break love.