“Hamilton” star Brandon Victor Dixon has made it clear Donald Trump shouldn’t expect an apology for addressing Mike Pence in the audience after a performance last Friday.
“There’s nothing to apologize for,” the actor who plays Aaron Burr said on CBS This Morning on Monday.
“I was honored to represent our cast and our show in that way,” he said, explaining that the show’s producers asked him to read the statement. “For me, I think the most important thing in respect to all the emotions everyone is feeling after this election is to make sure that people recognize that we are not alone. We are here together.”
He added that “Hamilton” is “inherently an American story told by the definition of the American community — we are men and women of different colors, creeds, and orientations — and the resonate nature of the show throughout the world, throughout the global community, demands that we make statements when there are important issues facing us as a community. So we wanted to stand up and spread a message of love and of unity.”
On Friday, the cast of the Tony-winning Broadway musical singled out Pence during their curtain call, and as the audience booed, Dixon read a statement on behalf of his cast members — and many Americans.
“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, sir,” Dixon said after urging audience members to record and share the video and message on social media. “But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values, and work on behalf of all of us.”
President-elect Trump tweeted his dismay with the cast of “Hamilton” early on Saturday, claiming they made the theater unsafe for Pence and that they should apologize.
Show creator and former star Lin-Manuel Miranda was not in attendance Friday night, but he, director Tommy Kail, the show’s producers and cast all wrote the statement together after learning Pence would be attending the performance, according to New York Times reporter Patrick Healey, who also said the VP-to-be was walking out of the theater as Dixon begun reading the statement, so it’s unclear which parts, if any, he heard.
Pence spoke up about the incident on Sunday’s “Face the Nation” on CBS, and sought to “assure people who were disappointed in the election results.” He told host John Dickerson that he “wasn’t offended by what was said” at the “Hamilton” show in New York on Friday.
“People are feeling anxious about this time in the life of our nation,” said Pence. “President-elect Donald Trump meant exactly what he said on election night, that he is going to be the president of all the people of the United States of America.”
Watch the video below:
All 14 Tony Awards Musical Performances (Videos)
"Hamilton" Greets James Corden
To kick off the show, the cast of "Hamilton" parodies its own opening number to introduce James Corden as the Tony host. "It needs a trouble-maker, a mover and a shaker. It needs that chubby dude from 'Into the Woods' who played the Baker." Classic!
Opening Number
James Corden takes a typically self-deprecating approach to his own opening number: He reimagines his boyhood self dreaming of being on the stage -- and quick-changing through classic roles from the Phantom to the Lion King to Maria in "The Sound of Music."
"She Loves Me"
Jane Krakowski does an impressive split. Zachary Levi stumbles a bit on a not quite note-perfect rendition of the title song. But Laura Benanti belts the heck out of "Vanilla Ice Cream."
"The Color Purple"
"I'm beautiful and I'm here," declares Cynthia Erivo at the end of this medley from the Tony-winning revival. Yes, she is. And it's no wonder she snatched one of the few non-"Hamilton" Tonys.
"The Fiddler on the Roof"
Danny Burstein leads the ensemble in the staple "Sunrise, Sunset" before the energetic chorus kicks up (and squats down for) some athletic dancing.
"School of Rock"
Despite the high energy, this wasn't the strongest number from the youthful show, which is an adaptation of the big-screen comedy with an unlikely pedigree -- music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, book by "Downton Abbey" writer Julian Fellowes.
"Bright Star"
Steve Martin and Edie Brickell introduce the rousing bluegrass anthem "If You Knew My Story" from their own new musical.
"Spring Awakening"
Deaf Theater West's groundbreaking revival, which has sadly closed, cleverly combined sign language and choreography to powerful effect. Plus, you can spot "Glee Project" contestant Ali Stroker as well as "Smash" alums Krysta Rodriguez and Andy Mientus.
"Shuffle Along"
Audra McDonald, tragically snubbed for a nomination this year, hoofs up a storm. The number also showcases Savion Glover's choreography -- which was similarly passed over by Tony voters in the "Hamilton" near-sweep.
"On Your Feet"
Gloria Estefan duets with her onstage alter ego, Ana Villafane -- even though the show didn't manage to land a Best Musical nomination. Best part: Lin-Manuel Miranda conga-ing with two of the pint-size cast members.
"Chicago"
Bebe Neuwirth sings just a few bars of "All That Jazz" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the hit revival that won her a Tony in 1997.
"Hamilton"
Lin-Manuel Miranda & Co. did not throw away their shot.
"Waitress"
Tony winner Jessie Mueller & Co. sing a bit of the opening number and then cede the stage to their composer, Sara Bareilles, for the big 11 o'clock ballad -- who then hands it back to Mueller.
"Hamilton" Pt. 2
OK, so the trio is a little pitchy in this rendition of "The Schuyler Sisters," which closed the Tony broadcast. But the sentiment was spot-on: History is happening, in the greatest city in the world.
1 of 14
The cast of ”Hamilton“ makes three appearances — plus cameos from Sara Bareilles and Gloria Estefan
"Hamilton" Greets James Corden
To kick off the show, the cast of "Hamilton" parodies its own opening number to introduce James Corden as the Tony host. "It needs a trouble-maker, a mover and a shaker. It needs that chubby dude from 'Into the Woods' who played the Baker." Classic!
