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Donald Trump call for apology to 'harassed' Mike Pence rejected by Hamilton cast

'Conversation is not harassment sir,' actor tells President-elect

Olivia Blair
Sunday 20 November 2016 05:30 EST
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Mike Pence is told ‘We are the diverse Americans anxious you will not protect us’

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The cast of Hamilton have rejected Donald Trump’s claims that the Vice President-elect Mike Pence was “harassed” at a production of the show.

On Friday evening, Mr Pence watched the critically-acclaimed show on New York’s Broadway where he was booed by the audience as he entered the theatre.

After the show finished, the cast, led by actor Brandon Dixon, welcomed him to the show by reading an open letter where they also pleaded with him and his new government to protect, respect and “work on behalf of” the “diverse America” the actors represent.

On Saturday, the President-elect called the speech “harassment” on Twitter and said the “theatre must always be a safe and special place” branding the cast of the award-winning musical “very rude”.

Dixon rejected the claims, replying: “Conversation is not harassment sir. And I appreciate Mike Pence for stopping to listen”.

The show’s creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who bowed out of the lead role of Alexander Hamilton in July after a year long stint, supported his cast saying he was proud of the musical and Dixon “for leading with love and proud to remind you that ALL are welcome at the theatre”.

Other entertainers supported the cast, including Selma director Ava DuVernay and Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes who both rejected the idea the cast should apologise.

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