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The broadway hit Hamilton has been a magnet for celebrities, and last night, Vice President-elect Mike Pence was the latest to attend. At curtain call, the show’s cast and crew delivered a message to him before a packed house.
Aaron Burr actor Brandon Victor Dixon delivered the remarks as the Vice President-elect was leaving the show:
"Thank you for joining us at Hamilton: An American Musical. 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. We hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values, and work on behalf of ALL of us. Thank you."
Video of the message circulated quickly on social media.
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
Upon learning of Pence’s attendance before the show began, the cast called Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and lead producer Jeffrey Seller on the phone to discuss his presence, deciding to not interrupt the show in favor of some closing remarks. "These are the opportunities that you die for," Dixon noted. The speech was written by Miranda, Seller, and director Thomas Kail, with various cast members providing input, according to The New York Times.
Pence was both applauded and booed as he took his seat before the performance, and he apparently enjoyed the musical, according to spectators. A spokesperson for the Vice President-elect confirmed that he did hear the remarks from just outside of the entrance to the auditorium before he left.
This morning, President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter to express his dissatisfaction with the Vice President-elect’s reception:
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016
Update: actor Brandon Victor Dixon, who delivered the remarks, responded to Trump’s demand for an apology:
@realDonaldTrump conversation is not harassment sir. And I appreciate @mike_pence for stopping to listen.
— Brandon Victor Dixon (@BrandonVDixon) November 19, 2016
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