The Puerto Rico engagement of “Hamilton” has moved theaters due to concern over possible rallies.
The production, starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, will now play the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center, instead of the Teatro UPR at the Rio Piedras campus of the University of Puerto Rico. The move also means that the performance will begin three days later, on Jan. 11, 2019 rather than Jan. 8.
“While we believed in the safety of the campus, some have expressed the possibility of holding rallies outside the theater to draw attention to their causes,” Luis A. Miranda Jr. said in a press release. “We believe in the right to peacefully assemble and we believe in freedom of speech. But in the case of an unforeseen emergency, our ‘Hamilton’ production security alone would not be able to provide security to cast, crew, patrons and the UPR community.”
Teatro UPR was damaged during Hurricane Maria. “Hamilton” has invested more than $1 million in the restoration of the theater.
“I was incredibly excited to walk the boards of UPR’s newly-renovated stage,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda. “It’s my father’s alma mater, and he has worked hard for over a year with so many to present the show there. I am sad that won’t happen on this tour, but I am grateful to return to Bellas Artes, where I had a truly remarkable experience performing ‘In the Heights’ in 2011.”
The show plans to reassign most tickets for the same days and times as the original order. Those who have tickets for Jan. 8 through Jan. 11, will be given other dates or a refund.
