Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesThey say when you can't find the words to express an emotion, you sing. Such was certainly the case when Broadway's greatest stars united to perform in support of Hillary Clinton.
In tribute to the Democratic presidential contender, theater's most recognizable figures, including Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda, The Color Purple's Cynthia Erivo and one of the industry's bonafide legends, Bernadette Peters, were just a few of the many stars that showed off their vocal chops at the Stronger Together fundraiser at the St. James Theater in New York City Monday night.
As the evening's host, funnyman Billy Crystal took aim at Clinton's opponent, Donald Trump, with enough zingers to induce laughing cramps all night long. "No racist baiting, no Muslim hating, pantsuits for everyone, it's Hillary tonight," he sang in his opening number. "No border walls, no Russian pacts, everyone here has paid federal tax."
There was no shortage of Hollywood, either. Sarah Jessica Parker, Anne Hathaway, Neil Patrick Harris, Hugh Jackman and Josh Groban polished their pipes and paid homage to the industry's most famous numbers for Hillary. Several more, like Uzo Aduba, Julia Roberts, Lena Dunham, Helen Mirren and Sarah Paulson took the podium to air their words of political support by way of famous quotes and parts of plays.
After charging between $45 and $2,700 for tickets to the event with premium packages costing upwards of $100,000, the night raised roughly $2.3 million for the Hillary Victory Fund, according to CNN.
While the evening featured a speech from daughter Chelsea Clinton, the White House hopeful was not physically in attendance.
"I auditioned for tonight's show and I wanted to sing with you, but Harvey [Weinstein] and Jordan [Roth] said I didn't make the cut," she joked in a video message for the crowd.
Here are a few more moments you might have missed:
1. A Donald Trump Roast
As we mentioned, Crystal spared no jab in discussing Clinton's competitor last night.
"Our goal tonight is simple: we need to raise more money than Donald Trump lost in 1995," he advised. "He's the human form of the hurricane season: starts out with a lot of hot air, gets you spinning out of control and hits America and causes a lot of damage and panic. But it's completely over by November."
"He's like a 7/11: he's open 24 hours and he's trying to sell us crap that we don't want," the comedian egged on.
2. A Theatrical Reunion
Many of the Hollywood A-listers involved in the event performed songs they've sung professionally in their careers. SJP joined a duet of "Tomorrow," from Annie, which she starred in on Broadway in 1979. Jackman kicked off the night with a rendition of "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" from Oklahoma. The Oscar nominee starred in the 1999 musical film.
Joel Grey and Sienna Miller teamed up for "Wilkomen" from Cabaret, which they've both starred in on Broadway at different times. Peters serenaded with "Children Will Listen" from Into the Woods. She originated the role on Broadway in 1987.
3. A Rewritten Hamilton
A theater event would not be complete without something from the industry's most popular show, Hamilton, so Miranda and his former co-star Renée Elise Goldsberry took on "The World Was Wide Enough," thought it was a rewritten version of the original.
"I have only one overwhelming feeling," Miranda rapped. "Anyone here want to shatter a glass ceiling?"
4. A Surprise Appearance
While Chelsea spoke and Hillary appeared in a video, the evening would not have been complete without the third member of the Clinton family, so Bill Clinton arrived on stage to rally support for his wife.
"Think our country is going to hell in a hand bag? How can you look at all this talent up here and think anything other than we're still so fortunate," he told the crowd. "Hillary offers answers in the face of anger, empowerment in the face of resentment, cooperation in the face of endless conflict and a future of bridges not walls. That's what stronger together means."
5. A Broadway First
When Chelsea's turn came to speak, she thanked the Actors' Equity for its first presidential endorsement in history—of her mom, of course.