Original Broadway cast of ‘Hamilton’ reunites for Joe Biden fundraiser
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“Hamilton” — the story of the founding of our nation — is diving into current politics.
Members of the original “Hamilton” Broadway cast, including creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tony winners Daveed Diggs and Leslie Odom Jr., will reunite in a fundraiser for Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. The online event will be at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.
Other participating “Hamilton” stars include Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Javier Muñoz, Okieriete Onaodowa and Phillipa Soo. A question-and-answer session with the actors will be moderated by Thomas Kail, who directed the filmed version of the Broadway musical that is available on the Disney Plus streaming service.
Plus, in the biggest treat for “Hamfans,” the group promises a special performance, as well.
“Hamilton” has grown from a Broadway megahit to a pop-cultural phenomenon, attracting both theater aficionados and non-theater buffs alike. Although currently closed in New York because of the coronavirus pandemic, the show remains among Broadway’s hottest tickets. And touring productions, including one that visited Orlando last year, draw enormous interest and packed venues across the nation.
“Hamilton” is scheduled to return to Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts next spring, May 4-30.
To watch Friday’s campaign fundraiser, the suggested contribution is $25, according to the Biden Victory Fund website — but any amount is accepted to receive details on how to see the show.
So, what to do if you plan on voting for President Donald Trump? Perhaps, donate a small amount to watch the “Hamilton” event — and then donate a larger amount to the Trump campaign so your political conscience is clear.
Of course, “Hamilton” might have lost its Republican fans after the 2016 dust-up when shortly after Election Day, Vice President-elect Mike Pence attended a performance of the musical and was booed by audience members and addressed from the stage by actor Brandon Dixon.
“We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us,” Dixon told the vice president-elect after expressing concern about the incoming administration. Pence later said he was not offended, but Trump blasted the show on Twitter as “highly overrated” and called the cast “very rude.”
For his part, Pence gave the show a positive review: “ ‘Hamilton’ is just an incredible production, incredibly talented people. It was a real joy to be there,” he told Fox News at the time.
Biden saw “Hamilton” in 2015, while he was vice president, and Playbill reported he and his wife, Jill, were greeted by a standing ovation when they arrived at the theater.
For Friday’s fundraiser, some of the small-print rules remind potential viewers that to contribute to the Biden Victory Fund they must be at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents.
Get all the information at joebiden.com/Hamilton.
Find me on Twitter @matt_on_arts or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Want more news of theater and other arts? Go to OrlandoSentinel.com/arts
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