There’s been quite a buzz since a “Hamilton” actor concluded last night’s performance with a lecture to Mike Pence (which the man who portrays Aaron Burr, Brandon Dixon, called a “conversation”) culminating in a chorus of boos directed at the VP-elect.
Stevie Van Zandt, guitarist with Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street band, weighed in this way:
Hamilton made a mistake. Audiences shouldn't have to worry about being blindsided like that. Theater should be sanctuary for Art to speak.
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016
Thoughtful take, but you can probably guess what happened at that point:
I've seen your Boss talk politics mid-set frequently. What's the difference? This was done post show.
— Lauren Yurick (@LaurenYurick) November 19, 2016
You don't single out an audience member and embarrass him from the stage. A terrible precedent to set. https://t.co/vREKw2RTMR
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016
I'd agree w you normally but here's the difference: my taxes will pay his salary & agenda. Im a gay man. That just doesn't jive. https://t.co/SICqY3MtqY
— jimmy williams (@Jimmyspolitics) November 19, 2016
Please don't misunderstand. Everyone who is sane disagrees with his policies. This was not the time or place to do it is all I'm saying. https://t.co/xHLLNBxjFR
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016
Is it also bullying when Bruce speaks his mind and opinions at every concert like he does? Where do you draw that line?
— Lora Celeste (@LoraCeleste) November 19, 2016
You draw the line at singling out an audience member. And by the way it's not exactly an analogous situation.Too complicated to discuss here https://t.co/DvQ9ycGegW
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/Laura0701/status/800041740078116864
So because he's a public figure we should be rude to him and bully him at public events? I'm not the one who couldn't be more wrong on this. https://t.co/WDpVU8HSlW
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016
You could not be more wrong. Racism and bigotry are NOT acceptable! American cannot normalize them now!
— Anne Rice (@AnneRiceAuthor) November 19, 2016
Bigotry is obviously never acceptable. I am saying it is a bad precedent for actors to start addressing audience members! Please read all. https://t.co/UvxBmdIFjJ
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016
@StevieVanZandt – this statement is not rude or inappropriate
— esteban blanco (@weiss_steve) November 19, 2016
The statement is beautiful. And completely inappropriate at that time. And I would defend the cast's right to be inappropriate forever. https://t.co/VpP0rd9C5v
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016
He’ll be hearing about it for some time:
https://twitter.com/EdKaz/status/800005890447437826
.@StevieVanZandt
Shitty christianists who preach conversion therapy of gays B/C they choose to be perverts must be confronted EVERYWHERE— Snarky Ginger (@snarkyRedhd) November 19, 2016
That’s literally what happened. Artists spoke. You just didn’t like the message. https://t.co/3a1zQXVh83
— Robbie (@rjmedwed) November 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/jlksk/status/800057818711789568
You could not be more wrong. Racism and bigotry are NOT acceptable! American cannot normalize them now!
— Anne Rice (@AnneRiceAuthor) November 19, 2016
It was. And art spoke. https://t.co/lHO5Eu6V1R
— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) November 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/mamalocksy/status/800016471682326528
Art has seldom spoken as loudly as it did last night.
— A Blog of Their Own (@BlogOfTheirOwn) November 19, 2016
Art spoke. Case closed.
— Flockchain (@flocktard) November 19, 2016
Van Zandt can consider himself informed that, after an eight year hiatus, dissent is patriotic again.
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