It’s no surprise whatsoever that Hamilton was the biggest victor at the 2016 Tony Awards, and likewise the biggest attraction on the ceremony stage. Since its Broadway premiere last August, the musical has transcended the hold of the theatre-literate, becoming one of the most frenzied pop culture fascinations in the United States. Hamilton‘s triumph at the Tonys (whereat it won 11 awards after a record-breaking 16 nominations) promises sustained, if not heightened, interest in the phenomenon, which is at once good news for the spread of its empowering message but bad news for anyone who was already hard-pressed to afford a ticket.

Even if you fall in the latter camp, like so many of us do, you at least have the opportunity to enjoy televised Hamilton performances like the one waged at the Tonys. Led by star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, the musical’s ensemble treated the awards show’s viewing audience to renditions of the companion numbers, “History Has Its Eyes on You” and “Yorktown.” Thrilling as you may expect, the performance was an apt reminder of why Hamilton deserved to head home with a bounty of trophies.

In their introductions of the performance, Barack and Michelle Obama and Common lauded the musical’s incredible reach across the horizon of American pop culture. It’s a terrific thing that we’ve got a piece of art like Hamilton affecting so many people right now—among the many ideas that Hamilton propagates is that of resilience in the faces of tyranny and hardship, which we very much need to remember at times like these.

Featured Image: CBS