Indy theater weighs in on ‘Hamilton’ cast comments to Pence
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Indiana Governor and Vice President-elect Mike Pence is in the spotlight after attending a Broadway musical in New York Friday night.
He was addressed by both the crowd and the cast, now video of those encounters is being shared all over social media.
Pence was met with a mix of cheers and boos when he walked into the theater to see “Hamilton.”
After the performance, one of the cast members read a message to Pence from the stage.
“We sir are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents and defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us, all of us,” said Brandon Victor Dixon.
Some say Dixon was out of line with those comments.
President-elect Donald Trump posted on twitter, “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!”
Trump posted another saying, “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!”
24-Hour News 8 spoke with those involved in theater in Indianapolis to get their take on the comments.
Leaders at the Phoenix Theater downtown said many performances are designed to spark conversations like this.
“It is designed to spark conversation. It is designed to ignite our senses,” said Bryan Fonseca, Producing Director and Founding Director at the Phoenix Theater.
Fonseca said it is not uncommon for cast members to recognize special guests after a performance. He described “Hamilton” as a play with a political plot and said it makes sense the cast would address our next vice president.
“I’m surprised that anybody was surprised that the cast may have a reaction after the show,” said Fonseca.
“I commend the cast as a matter of fact for standing and embracing the fact that this was a very politically charged moment and that they chose to say something that was very positive and very inclusive that was just recognizing that we are at a unique moment of history,” said Fonseca.