NEW YORK, Nov. 19 (UPI) — “Hamilton” star Brandon Victor Dixon addressed audience member and U.S. Vice President-elect Mike Pence from the stage at Friday night’s performance of the hip-hop, historical musical.
Some people in the crowd jeered at the prominent Republican, who had watched the Tony Award-winning show with his family, but Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr, spoke calmly, referring to Pence as a guest, as he and his co-stars stood together.
“There’s nothing to boo here, ladies and gentlemen. There’s nothing to boo here. We’re all sharing a story of love,” Dixon said, encouraging fans to record his statement and share it on social media.
“Vice President-elect Pence, we welcome you and we truly thank you for joining us here at ‘Hamilton: An American Musical.’ We really do. We, sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values, and to work on behalf of all of us. All of us. Again, we truly thank you for sharing this show, this wonderful American story told by a diverse group of men and women of different colors, creeds and orientations,” Dixon said as the theatergoers cheered and clapped.
Tonight, VP-Elect Mike Pence attended #HamiltonBway. After the show, @BrandonVDixon delivered the following statement on behalf of the show.
The musical’s creator Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted his support of Dixon and his message Saturday morning.
“Proud of @HamiltonMusical. Proud of @BrandonVDixon, for leading with love. And proud to remind you that ALL are welcome at the theater,” Miranda said.
Proud of @HamiltonMusical. Proud of @BrandonVDixon, for leading with love.
And proud to remind you that ALL are welcome at the theater.
President-elect Donald Trump also offered his reaction to the event on Twitter.
“Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen!” Trump wrote.
“The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!” read a subsequent tweet.
The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!
