Mike Pence Went to Hamilton — and the Cast Sent Him a Powerful Message
Mike Pence at Hamilton (Video)
21 November 2016 by Lindsay Miller
Castmembers in Hamilton perform in NYC in July, 2016
Mike Pence was spotted at the lauded Broadway show Hamilton on Friday night, and the cast took the opportunity to address the newly elected vice president directly by sending a message both critical and hopeful.
Pence's arrival at the Tony-winning musical, which tells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton via an ethnically diverse cast and a rap-infused soundtrack, seemed to be greeted with a mixed chorus of cheers and boos. Nonetheless, it's what happened as the performance closed that is already catching the nation's attention. Actor Brandon Victor Dixon, who portrays Aaron Burr in the show, took the opportunity to directly address Pence at the curtain call. This was despite the fact that he said he could see Pence already walking out of the theatre.
Tonight, VP-Elect Mike Pence attended #HamiltonBway. After the show, @BrandonVDixon delivered the following statement on behalf of the show. pic.twitter.com/Jsg9Q1pMZs
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) November 19, 2016
"We have a bit of a message for you, sir, and we hope that you will hear us out," Dixon implored the politician amid a wave of applause. "We are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us . . . But we truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and work on behalf of all of us."
Pence has been a vocal opponent of gay marriage throughout his political career and has also supported conversion therapy. The Trump-Pence campaign also included promises to ban Muslim immigrants from entering the country and to erect a wall between the United States and Mexico. Notably, the title role of Hamilton is currently played by Javier Muñoz, who succeeded the show's creator, Lin Manuel-Miranda. Muñoz, who was born to Puerto Rican parents, is openly gay and HIV positive.
Image Source: Getty / walter mcbride
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