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 President-elect Trump has complained several times about the
comments delivered on behalf of the cast by actor Brandon Victor
Dixon when Pence attended the show on Friday evening. In a
series of weekend Twitter messages, Trump accused the cast of
"terrible behavior," said they had "harassed" Pence and demanded
that they apologize.
Pence himself said on Sunday he was not offended, and declined
to ask for an apology.
Dixon, who played America's third vice president, Aaron Burr, in
the show, told CBS's "This Morning" program there was no need
for the cast to apologize.
Standing in front of the cast, who are of diverse race and
ethnicity although they play historical figures who were white,
Dixon told Pence after Friday night's performance in New York:
"We, sir — 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."
Dixon defended the cast statement on Monday, saying the actors
wanted "to stand up and spread a message of love and unity"
following the bitterly divisive election campaign that
culminated in Trump's surprise win on Nov. 8.
"There's nothing to apologize for," Dixon told CBS.
"Conversation is not harassment."
He said Trump was welcome to see the show as well, adding that
he appreciated that Pence listened and that "it was the
beginning of a conversation that I hope we can continue to
have."
"Art is meant to bring people together, it's meant to raise
consciousness," Dixon said.
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On Sunday, Pence acknowledged that many people were disappointed and
anxious after the election, but he sought to reassure Americans that
Trump would be a president "for all Americans" when he takes office
on Jan. 20.
The victory by the Republican Trump, a New York businessman who has
never held public office, has prompted a rash of protests nationwide
by people concerned that his tough campaign rhetoric about
immigrants and Muslims could translate into abuse of civil rights.
"Hamilton" recounts the story of Alexander Hamilton, a poor
immigrant who rose to become the right-hand man of General George
Washington and a key figure in the creation of the U.S. financial
system, as well as founding the U.S. Coast Guard. Hamilton was
killed in an 1804 duel with Burr.
The hip-hop-infused musical, which a New York Times review described
last year as a "show about young rebels grabbing and shaping the
future of an unformed country," opened on Broadway in 2015 and has
generated more than $1.4 billion in sales and garnered 11 Tony
Awards. It has also expanded to other cities.
Following the statement to Pence on Broadway, local media reports
said an allegedly intoxicated man attending a performance of
"Hamilton" in Chicago on Saturday was charged with a misdemeanor for
disturbing the show and refusing to leave after reportedly yelling
about Trump.
(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Frances Kerry)
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