'Hamilton' Cast To Vice President-Elect Mike Pence: 'We Are The Diverse America'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Vice President-elect Mike Pence joined the long list of celebrities who have attended the Broadway show "Hamilton," but he was the first one to be booed.
Pence attended Friday night's performance and not only heard from the audience but the cast as well.
Richard Rogers Theatre was surrounded by armed guards and Secret Service as Pence took his set for the hottest ticket on Broadway, CBS2's Ali Bauman reported.
When the show ended, the actor who plays Aaron Burr gave an off-book monologue.
"We are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious your administration will not protect us," he said. "But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our America values and work on behalf of all of us."
Tonight, VP-Elect Mike Pence attended #HamiltonBway. After the show, @BrandonVDixon delivered the following statement on behalf of the show. pic.twitter.com/Jsg9Q1pMZs
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) November 19, 2016
The actor wasn't the only one voicing his opinion.
Ticket holders said the VP-elect was greeted with boos and cheers from the audience that continued during key lines throughout the performance.
"When the line said 'immigrants get the job done,' that's something everyone cheered for," Josh Ott, of Denver, said.
"Hamilton" celebrates the very core of American values, however audience members gave mixed reviews over whether the Broadway seats were the best place to exercise freedom of speech.
"It was the most gross display of disrespect I've ever seen," Ron Rawlings, of Denver, said.
"I think it's cool people are vocalizing the opposition," Hannah Blau, of Columbus, Ohio, said.
"I don't think it was an appropriate setting at all to be booing someone who is willing to protect our country," Sherie Samulian, of California, said.
President-elect Donald Trump also weighed in, tweeting:
Creator Lin Manuel Miranda, who publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton, tweeted Saturday morning that he was "proud of Hamilton Musical, proud of Brandon V. Dixon for leading with love, and proud to remind you that all are welcome at the theater."
Proud of @HamiltonMusical. Proud of @BrandonVDixon, for leading with love.
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 19, 2016
And proud to remind you that ALL are welcome at the theater.
"I'm so glad we had the opportunity and I'm so glad he stayed, because he stayed and he listened, and I truly appreciate he did that," Brandon Victor Dixon, the actor who plays Aaron Burr, said.
Cast members said they were told Pence would be in the audience earlier in the evening.
Many audience members said Pence was surrounded by Secret Service most of the time and he didn't react much to the backlash, describing him as "diplomatic."