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Booed on Broadway, Pence Gets Lesson in 'American Values' from Hamilton Cast
Mike Pence, a fierce opponent of LGBTQ and women's rights, was booed by theater-goers Friday night
Nov 19, 2016
Vice President-elect Mike Pence received a chilly reception when he attended a performance of the hit Broadway musical "Hamilton" on Friday, and perhaps--the diverse cast hopes--a lesson in true "American values."
Upon arriving at the Richard Rodgers Theater, Pence--a staunch Christian conservative, fierce opponent of LGBTQ and women's rights, and key member of the incoming Donald Trump administration--was loudly jeered by the audience of the show, which portrays a pivotal time in American history through hip hop and a highly-diverse cast.
Videos posted to social media show some audience members cheering him, before the boos took over.
"Pence walked down the aisle towards his seat and waved briefly as people in the theater clearly began to realize who he was. Then the boos began," the Guardian reported. "The show was occasionally disrupted by more loud booing at Pence."
As Pence was about the duck out at the end of the show, Brandon Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr, called him back saying, "I see you walking out, but I hope you will hear us, just a few moments."
After welcoming Pence and thanking him for joining the audience, Dixon delivered a statement on behalf of the production.
"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," he said. "We truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values, and work on behalf of ALL of us."
To wide applause, Dixon, an African American actor, encouraged the audience to share his message "far and wide."
"We thank you for sharing this wonderful American story, told by a diverse group of men and women of different colors, creeds, and orientations," Dixon continued, as many noted the irony that Pence, who as Indiana governor led the campaign against LGBTQ rights, attended a production that celebrates such equality.
Early Saturday, President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter to accuse the "Hamilton" cast of "harassing" Pence, to which Dixon responded:
As the performance itself declares, "History has its eyes on you."
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Vice President-elect Mike Pence received a chilly reception when he attended a performance of the hit Broadway musical "Hamilton" on Friday, and perhaps--the diverse cast hopes--a lesson in true "American values."
Upon arriving at the Richard Rodgers Theater, Pence--a staunch Christian conservative, fierce opponent of LGBTQ and women's rights, and key member of the incoming Donald Trump administration--was loudly jeered by the audience of the show, which portrays a pivotal time in American history through hip hop and a highly-diverse cast.
Videos posted to social media show some audience members cheering him, before the boos took over.
"Pence walked down the aisle towards his seat and waved briefly as people in the theater clearly began to realize who he was. Then the boos began," the Guardian reported. "The show was occasionally disrupted by more loud booing at Pence."
As Pence was about the duck out at the end of the show, Brandon Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr, called him back saying, "I see you walking out, but I hope you will hear us, just a few moments."
After welcoming Pence and thanking him for joining the audience, Dixon delivered a statement on behalf of the production.
"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," he said. "We truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values, and work on behalf of ALL of us."
To wide applause, Dixon, an African American actor, encouraged the audience to share his message "far and wide."
"We thank you for sharing this wonderful American story, told by a diverse group of men and women of different colors, creeds, and orientations," Dixon continued, as many noted the irony that Pence, who as Indiana governor led the campaign against LGBTQ rights, attended a production that celebrates such equality.
Early Saturday, President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter to accuse the "Hamilton" cast of "harassing" Pence, to which Dixon responded:
As the performance itself declares, "History has its eyes on you."
Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence received a chilly reception when he attended a performance of the hit Broadway musical "Hamilton" on Friday, and perhaps--the diverse cast hopes--a lesson in true "American values."
Upon arriving at the Richard Rodgers Theater, Pence--a staunch Christian conservative, fierce opponent of LGBTQ and women's rights, and key member of the incoming Donald Trump administration--was loudly jeered by the audience of the show, which portrays a pivotal time in American history through hip hop and a highly-diverse cast.
Videos posted to social media show some audience members cheering him, before the boos took over.
"Pence walked down the aisle towards his seat and waved briefly as people in the theater clearly began to realize who he was. Then the boos began," the Guardian reported. "The show was occasionally disrupted by more loud booing at Pence."
As Pence was about the duck out at the end of the show, Brandon Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr, called him back saying, "I see you walking out, but I hope you will hear us, just a few moments."
After welcoming Pence and thanking him for joining the audience, Dixon delivered a statement on behalf of the production.
"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," he said. "We truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values, and work on behalf of ALL of us."
To wide applause, Dixon, an African American actor, encouraged the audience to share his message "far and wide."
"We thank you for sharing this wonderful American story, told by a diverse group of men and women of different colors, creeds, and orientations," Dixon continued, as many noted the irony that Pence, who as Indiana governor led the campaign against LGBTQ rights, attended a production that celebrates such equality.
Early Saturday, President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter to accuse the "Hamilton" cast of "harassing" Pence, to which Dixon responded:
As the performance itself declares, "History has its eyes on you."
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