Theatergoers booed Mike Pence as the vice president-elect went to see acclaimed musical Hamilton. The play itself, creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, and cast have been known to be pioneers for all identities. Those identities include ones that Pence has been accused of sidelining: LGBTQ, women, non-Christians, and racial minorities. So boos weren’t exactly the only reaction when he walked in the door.
If the boos didn’t make his presence apparent, the cast took a moment to acknowledge Pence to the audience. Brandon Victor Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr, denounced the crowds’ boos. He had his own message for Pence.
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
Hamilton documents the life of Alexander Hamilton as a founding father—replacing historically white figures with Black and Hispanic ones. Not only do Dixon’s cast mates and fans represent ethnic minorities, he pointed out the diversity in their religions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds as well. He said, “We truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values, and work on behalf of ALL of us.”
Miranda applauded Dixon’s speech in a tweet:
Proud of @HamiltonMusical. Proud of @BrandonVDixon, for leading with love.
And proud to remind you that ALL are welcome at the theater.— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 19, 2016
Fans also took to Twitter to acknowledge Pence’s presence.
The hashtag #NameAPenceMusical was trending.
Little Shop That Won't Sell To LGBT People Because They Think It Violates Their Misguided Religious Beliefs#NameAPenceMusical
— Them belly full but we hungry (@SethFromThe716) November 19, 2016
The KKKing and I#NameAPenceMusical
— Michael Tannenbaum (@iamTannenbaum) November 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/Badass_Auntie/status/799953870269063168
https://twitter.com/jenniferweiner/status/799979421897818112
Not everyone was on Hamilton’s side—Donald Trump, for starters. It was no surprise he took to Twitter to express this:
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
His supporters are calling to boycott Hamilton..which is one of the hardest shows to get tickets for, anyways. *Insert Nick Young confused face here*
https://twitter.com/SaucinDawson/status/799997439369318400
Anyone who now wants to #BoycottHamilton who has tickets for a future performance + wants to sell them, slide into my DMs. I will buy them.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) November 19, 2016
they're trying to #BoycottHamilton but they ain't even got tickets in the first place IM CACKLING pic.twitter.com/CQjaIxKsf9
— #mentalnotes💕🦋💫 (@allicatttx) November 19, 2016
