Bruce Springsteen's Guitar Player, Steve Van Zandt Says "Hamilton" Should Apologize for 'Bullying' Mike Pence

Leah Marieann Klett : Nov 21, 2016
Gospel Herald

"You don't single out an audience member and embarrass him from the stage. A terrible precedent to set." -Steve Van Zandt

[Gospel Herald] Legendary rocker Steve Van Zandt has accused the cast of "Hamilton" of bullying Mike Pence and urged them to apologize after they addressed the Vice President-elect from the stage at Friday night's performance. (Photo: Getty/via Gospel Herald)

"It was the most respectful, benign form of bullying ever. But bullying nonetheless. And by the way, human rights must be won, not asked for," Van Zandt, member of the E Street Band, said in a series of tweets on Saturday. "When artists perform, the venue becomes your home. The audience are your guests. It's taking unfair advantage of someone who thought they were a protected guest in your home."

"A guy comes to a Broadway show for a relaxing night out. Instead he gets a lecture from the stage! Not a level playing field. It's bullying. You don't single out an audience member and embarrass him from the stage. A terrible precedent to set."
 
Van Zandt's comments come after "Hamilton" cast member Brandon Victor Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr in the Broadway show, delivered a speech following the performance as Pence was exiting the venue...
 
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