The cast members of the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton” are working to ensure that women continue to be included in the sequel for years to come. Several cast members donated their salaries from Wednesday night’s performance to a charity to support International Women’s Day.
“Hamilton” actor Javier Muñoz tweeted an image of last night’s Playbill inserts, which explained how the cast members were donating their salaries for the evening to Dress for Success, a global non-profit organization that empowers women by promoting economic independence. “We thank all the women in this building for being here today and celebrating with us,” the insert read.
Inserts in the programs for tonight's performance✊🏽#InternationalWomensDay @HamiltonMusical pic.twitter.com/G2tgYdmdj5
— Javier Muñoz (@JMunozActor) March 9, 2017
In addition to making a donation, the women of “Hamilton” also made a video showing their support—donning feminist “Women in the s(=)” t-shirts. This isn’t the first time the cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 11-time Tony Award-winning musical made their voices heard on important issues. In October, they launched a voting campaign to encourage voter participation in the 2016 presidential election. Shortly after Donald Trump won the election, Vice President Mike Pence attended a performance. The cast took the time to address Pence, saying:
“We, sir, are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us — our planet, our children, our parents — or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us. All of us.”
Trump later tweeted about how “rude” the cast was and demanded an apology. Pence, on the other hand, said he wasn’t offended by the cast’s words—telling his daughter amid cheers and boos from the crowd: “That’s what freedom sounds like.”
In honor of #InternationalWomensDay, the women of #HamiltonBway dedicate their performances to @dressforsuccess! https://t.co/jy4HRstZ9d pic.twitter.com/OFE0lTQty6
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) March 9, 2017
At curtain call, the cast shouted, “Happy International Women’s Day!” as female cast and crew members took center stage. Cast member Syndee Winters captioned an Instagram photo, “Doing it for the LADIES. The Women of #Hamilton take a bow at last night’s performance. All cat and crew took the stage for International women’s day.”
Broadway’s “Hamilton” currently stars Jevon McFerrin (Alexander Hamilton), Brandon Victor Dixon (Aaron Burr), Lexi Lawson (Eliza Hamilton), Mandy Gonzalez (Angelica Schuyler), Alysha Deslorieux (Peggy Schuyler), Bryan Terrell Clark (George Washington), Seth Stewart (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Anthony Lee Medina (John Laurens/Phillip Hamilton), J. Quinton Johnson (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison) and Taran Killam (King George).
What are your thoughts on the “Hamilton” cast members donating their salaries from last night’s performance to charity? Sound off in the comments section below!
Photo credit: Playbill