It seemed like such a good idea at the time. Hillary Clinton would hire out the Richard Rodgers Theatre in Times Square for a special fundraising performance of Broadway musical phenomenon Hamilton on July 12.
Generating cash for her presidential campaign by taking over a show about a US Founding Father told through the lens of a multi-racial cast reflecting America as it is today. What could go wrong for Team Hillary?
But the move by the Hillary Victory Fund to buy all 1321 seats for the performance has disastrously backfired judging by the reaction on social media.
While Hamilton has won 11 Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, and a Grammy Award, the Democratic presidential candidate has lost tremendous amounts of goodwill with her takeover of the musical that she first saw at the Public Theater during its pre-Broadway run last year.
There’s the fact that ever since she made the announcement at the beginning of the week, the Clinton campaign has been spamming supporters to pay up to see the musical at prices ranging from $2,700 for a general seat to $100,000 for “event chair” entry includes “two premium seats and wrap party with Hillary and other special guests, and invitation to the Democratic National Convention.”
President Obama’s former speechwriter Jon Favreau is among those feeling harassed by the sheer frequency of Team Hillary’s communications about their Hamilton trip:
If I get one more email from the DNC about Hamilton and Hillary I’m going to register as an independent.
(PS I desperately want to see it)
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) June 29, 2016
Those without the means to see the hottest show in America can also enter a competition to see the show sitting next to Hillary for free. This is not proving too attractive a proposition, especially as the seats are by no means the best in the house:
Don’t bother entering to see “Hamilton” with Hillary. The seats are 5th row mezzanine behind a column. MAKE AMERICA ORCHESTRA CENTER AGAIN!
— Ally Hord (@hordie) June 29, 2016
Then there’s the resentment caused by the fact that people are objecting to what they see as a promotional stunt unworthy of a presidential candidate:
Facebook, showing up strong in response to Hillary’s grotesque ‘Hamilton’ contest. ???? #NeverHillary #NeverHamilton pic.twitter.com/TW7ncilsh4
— Deirdre (@Deir_in_DC) June 29, 2016
Young people — presumably many of them Bernie Sanders supporters — are also openly conflicted about their desperate desire to see Hamilton requiring them to sign up to Hillary’s campaign:
I can’t believe I just entered a contest affiliated with Hillary Clinton just to see Hamilton
— Megan (@_meganann0) June 29, 2016
Since Hamilton creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda leaves the show on July 9, attendees of Hillary’s performance won’t be able to see him in action. It’s unclear at this stage whether Miranda’s replacement Javier Muñoz will be performing for her or whether it will be his alternate (who has yet to be announced).
Either way, tweets from Miranda and Muñoz promoting the event have been conspicuously absent. There are some, however, who are looking forward to Hillary’s Hamilton takeover:
I need to win that contest to watch Hamilton with Hillary. I can sell this.
— Rock Strongo (@GoodOpinionMan) June 29, 2016
