'Frozen' on Broadway actor grabs Trump flag from audience member during curtain call

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By VT

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Frozen was a smash success, with its infectious songs and powerful story of sisterhood. (I heard some kids who saw it in 2013 still refuse to take off their Elsa dress.) Like other animated Disney hits, the movie's been adapted into a Broadway musical. Fans of all ages can watch a riveting live performance, recreating the ice magic and fantastical creatures on stage.

However, something strange happened during the curtain call at a recent performance in New York City. A man wearing a "Make America Great Again" visor brought a giant "Trump 2020" flag, and waved it in front of the actors. Luckily, Timothy R. Hughes, who plays Pabbie the troll, was not having it. He grabbed the flag from the Trump supporter, and tossed it backstage. The Trump supporter cries "Hey," but Hughes ignores him, and continues to bow. It was a battle of the trolls, and Pabbie won, no contest.

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After the show, Hughes shared a message on Instagram, explaining why he will not apologize to the Trump supporter, or "let it go."

"What does it say about our country and politics when a man at the show tonight felt the need to protest Disney’s Frozen on Broadway with a pro Trump flag?? How frightening is it that our show’s messages of love, acceptance, and diversity have become the opposition to supporting Trump? The curtain call is a thank you between actors and audience, a final connection to end a shared experience.

"I will not apologize for how I responded to the disrespectful man trying to interrupt this moment with a pathetic political platform. Not at our show! Not in front of my beautiful, diverse, talented cast at @frozenbroadway. I appreciate everyone’s support. #resist #lovewins#lovetrumpshate"

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A Twitter user shared a photo of the Trump supporter, waiting outside after the performance. "He disrupted bows at @FrozenBroadway tonight with a giant Trump 2020 flag in the front row. a cast member snatched the flag," wrote Joy Rosenthal. "Here he is pouting and threatening to sue if he doesn’t get his flag back. This is a children’s show, people."

It is not clear what exactly the Trump supporter was trying to accomplish. Frozen is about a kingdom trapped in eternal winter - was he was trying to protest global warming, which Donald Trump called "a hoax invented by the Chinese?" Elsa and Anna are two strong, independent female characters - was he trying to protest feminism, the belief that men and women should be treated equally in society? Is he mad Elsa didn't use her to powers to build a wall around Arendelle, and make Mexico pay for it? I guess we'll never know.

So, if you're keeping track, Trump supporters believe that NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem is set-your-shoes-on-fire offensive. But acting obnoxiously during the curtain call at a Broadway play? Totally cool.

 

'Frozen' on Broadway actor grabs Trump flag from audience member during curtain call

vt-author-image

By VT

Article saved!Article saved!

Frozen was a smash success, with its infectious songs and powerful story of sisterhood. (I heard some kids who saw it in 2013 still refuse to take off their Elsa dress.) Like other animated Disney hits, the movie's been adapted into a Broadway musical. Fans of all ages can watch a riveting live performance, recreating the ice magic and fantastical creatures on stage.

However, something strange happened during the curtain call at a recent performance in New York City. A man wearing a "Make America Great Again" visor brought a giant "Trump 2020" flag, and waved it in front of the actors. Luckily, Timothy R. Hughes, who plays Pabbie the troll, was not having it. He grabbed the flag from the Trump supporter, and tossed it backstage. The Trump supporter cries "Hey," but Hughes ignores him, and continues to bow. It was a battle of the trolls, and Pabbie won, no contest.

[[facebookwidget||https://www.facebook.com/crystal.sotomayor.79/videos/vb.100002643067813/1772710202827065]]
[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BnXk0LiBLsq/]]

After the show, Hughes shared a message on Instagram, explaining why he will not apologize to the Trump supporter, or "let it go."

"What does it say about our country and politics when a man at the show tonight felt the need to protest Disney’s Frozen on Broadway with a pro Trump flag?? How frightening is it that our show’s messages of love, acceptance, and diversity have become the opposition to supporting Trump? The curtain call is a thank you between actors and audience, a final connection to end a shared experience.

"I will not apologize for how I responded to the disrespectful man trying to interrupt this moment with a pathetic political platform. Not at our show! Not in front of my beautiful, diverse, talented cast at @frozenbroadway. I appreciate everyone’s support. #resist #lovewins#lovetrumpshate"

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/TheBroadwayWiz/status/1037537015632408578]]

A Twitter user shared a photo of the Trump supporter, waiting outside after the performance. "He disrupted bows at @FrozenBroadway tonight with a giant Trump 2020 flag in the front row. a cast member snatched the flag," wrote Joy Rosenthal. "Here he is pouting and threatening to sue if he doesn’t get his flag back. This is a children’s show, people."

It is not clear what exactly the Trump supporter was trying to accomplish. Frozen is about a kingdom trapped in eternal winter - was he was trying to protest global warming, which Donald Trump called "a hoax invented by the Chinese?" Elsa and Anna are two strong, independent female characters - was he trying to protest feminism, the belief that men and women should be treated equally in society? Is he mad Elsa didn't use her to powers to build a wall around Arendelle, and make Mexico pay for it? I guess we'll never know.

So, if you're keeping track, Trump supporters believe that NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem is set-your-shoes-on-fire offensive. But acting obnoxiously during the curtain call at a Broadway play? Totally cool.