NEW YORK (AP) — Hillary Clinton said Tuesday the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton” offers lessons for the nation, telling donors following a special fundraising performance, “Let’s not throw away our shot.”
The Democratic presidential candidate spoke at the end of a campaign-sponsored performance of the Broadway smash at New York’s Richard Rodgers Theatre.
Without mentioning Republican Donald Trump, Clinton said the country couldn’t be detoured by those “who play to the worst of our feelings, who would divide us, who would scapegoat us.”
Citing one of the musical’s main themes, Clinton told the audience, “Let’s think a lot about history’s eyes on us.” She said the nation’s founders “were not perfect people but they were united in their conviction that they could build this new country from nothing,” adding, “we are still going strong.”
“Hamilton” is a Tony award-winning musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton and has been praised by politicians and rap stars alike.
The former secretary of state said she had now seen the musical three times and “I cry every time.”
Clinton was introduced by actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show’s creator, who said the differences in the November election “could not be more stark.” Miranda, who recently ended his run in the starring role, cast the election as one between the person “who is acting on your fears or acting on your hopes.”
Donors paid between $2,700 and $10,000 for a seat, with some paying $33,400 to host the event. Event chairs contributed $100,000 for a package that included two premium seats and a wrap party with the presumptive Democratic nominee and other guests.