Update Everyone from Axl Rose to Newt Gingrich weighed in today on Mike Pence’s evening at the theater. E Street guitarist Steven Van Zandt called it bullying, Daveed Diggs and Phillipa Soo, both original cast members of Hamilton, support the production, Zach Braff wants tickets, and Trevor Noah is among those who think it’s all a big diversion. Take a look below for reactions.
Previous President-elect Donald J. Trump wasn’t in the room where it happened but he nevertheless was quick to Tweet his displeasure over Mike Pence’s raucous reception at Friday night’s performance of Hamilton. The evening was marked by loud boos from audience members when Pence arrived. The show was frequently interrupted by applause for lines in the show that seemed particularly relevant in the wake of the election of Trump and Pence, whose campaign was characterized by overt and covert appeals to white nationalists, Islamophobes, America First isolationists, racists and others in the so-called alt-right movement.
The performance at the Richard Rodgers Theatre was capped by a heartfelt, if finger-wagging, speech by Brandon Victor Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr in the hit show. It had been quickly cobbled together by composer/lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, director Thomas Kail and current cast members, who learned Friday afternoon that the VP-elect would be attending the sold-out musical.
Below is video of Dixon’s statement, provided by Team Hamilton and posted on Twitter, and responses from the President-elect, Miranda, Dixon, TV’s Kerry Washington and various other politicos, pundits and celebrities. #BoycottHamilton trended quickly before turning into a punchline: The musical is sold out well into next year. – Deadline’s Greg Evans contributed to this report.
