What Hamilton's Producer Had to Say About the Show's Non-White Casting Controversy
His response couldn't have been better.
Hamilton​ — the Broadway show that features black, Latino, and other multi-ethnic actors in the roles of our founding fathers — is an undeniable success. But it's also facing some criticism after it issued a casting call for "non-white performers" for the show's upcoming tours.
Civil rights attorney Randolph McLaughlin told CBS News New York that the notice was violating the city's human rights law. "What if they put an ad out that said, 'Whites only need apply?' Why, African Americans, Latinos, Asians would be outraged," he said. "You cannot advertise showing that you have a preference for one racial group over another."
In response to the alleged civil rights violation, producer Jeffrey Seller said in a statement, as reported by Playbill, "Hamilton depicts the birth of our nation in a singular way. We will continue to cast the show with the same multicultural diversity that we have employed thus far." A spokesperson for Hamilton added: "It is essential to the storytelling of Hamilton that the principal roles — which were written for non-white characters (excepting King George) — be performed by non-white actors."
However, according to Vulture, Hamilton will re-word the language of the casting call to make sure anyone who comes across it knows that all ethnicities are welcome to audition.
Related: Hamilton​'s Anthony Ramos Admits He Never Planned to Be on Broadway
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