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The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast

In this podcast about all things Hamilton, host Gillian Pensavalle speaks with guests, and sometimes co-host/all time husband Michael Paul Smith, about the innerworkings of the show, how it came together, what it takes to put on all around the world, finding Hamilton references in everyday life, and much more. The Hamilcast has played host to every member of the original creative team, aka "The Cabinet", including repeat visits from Hamilton creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Hamilcast features interviews with cast members from every Hamilton tour, Broadway, and UK company--crew members, musicians, creatives, and the hard working people behind-the-scenes that keep the production alive. Plus: historians, super fans, celebrity Hamilton enthusiasts, and group cast recordings! When I started this podcast in January of 2016, I could not have imagined the incredible community that has grown around the show and the amazing experiences that have come my way. Thank you to everyone who has listened, appeared on the show, contributed, or reached out in any way. This podcast is for you and I absolutely love making it. If you have any great Ham stories or funny references that you've come across, let me know! Email TheHamilcast [at] gmail [dot] com, or contact me on social media @TheHamilcast. I also have a Patreon that has given rise to the loveliest corner of the internet, ever. You can learn more about how to be a part of that lovely corner, and how to submit questions to guests, and to be part of my monthly AMA's at https://www.patreon.com/TheHamilcast
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Now displaying: 2018
Dec 17, 2018

Welllllll it happened! After countless requests from listeners, my parents Attilio and Barbara Pensavalle are on the pod! We talk about how they recently (finally!) saw Hamilton, their thoughts on the podcast, and lots of love for Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tommy Kail, and Alex Lacamoire. Mike joins us (with a great cocktail) and the pups Pete and Alfie were in the room as well. Enjoy!

Dec 10, 2018

YOU GUYS LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA DJ'D DEANNA'S WEDDING AND SHE TELLS THE WHOLE STORY AND IT'S AMAZING. We also talk about Deanna's fantastic problem solving skills, how to balance work and friendship, and The Naked Wall™ (yes it's a thing and yes you get all the details!). 

 

Dec 3, 2018

Hamilton Broadway's assistant stage manager, Deanna Weiner, is back again with more stories from the early development stages of the production. From Lin-Manuel Miranda padding around in his slippers to the importance of a Burger King crown for director Tommy Kail, Deanna was actually in the room where it happened. 

Nov 26, 2018

Deanna Weiner, the assistant stage manager for Hamilton on Broadway, is here to blow your mind. Deanna has been with the show since the early workshop days at The Public (we're talking 2013, fam) and has so much intel it's crazy. This episode covers Deanna's journey to Hamilton (oh hai Meryl Streep and Brian Cox and Stephen Sondheim and Ariana Grande to name a few) and how being randomly assigned to work on reading of a little thing called The Hamilton Mixtape changed her life. 

HAMILTON Ham4Ham 9/11/15 “Love for the Techies Day” with the entire company (filmed by Howard Sherman):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqE-mGI5OaM

 

Nov 19, 2018

Morgan Marcell is back this week with lots of Bandstand/Andy Blankenbuehler love! We also talk Moulin Rouge, performing at The White House for the Obamas, and that now legendary Ham4Ham when Morgan performed My Shot (as Alexander Hamilton!) with the ladies of Hamilton: An American Musical.

 

HAMILTON Ham4Ham 1/3/16 with The Ladies of HAMILTON by Howard Sherman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbfws-YZQu4

Nov 12, 2018

Morgan Marcell is a force, you guys. From OBC Hamilton (and OBC Bandstand!), to working on The Fosse/Verdon Project with The Cabinet™, to making her directorial debut with Sharing Our Stories: The Eliza Project (plus TON of other projects), Morgan will inspire the hell out of you. Morgan's first episode covers her journey to Hamilton, love for Thomas Kail, and a story about paRTYING WITH PRINCE!!! WHAT ON EARTH?!

 

"Crash Your Party" - Karmin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOorxvAVqb4

 

"My Kind of Love" - Emeli Sandé

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z22bKXQuz9M

 

A Sense of Direction: Some Observations on the Art of Directing by William Ball:

https://www.abebooks.com/9780896760820/Sense-Direction-Observations-Art-Directing-0896760820/plp

 

Sharing Our Stories: The Eliza Project

http://www.elizasstory.org/

https://filmfreeway.com/theelizaprojectdoc

 

Graham Windham

http://www.graham-windham.org/

 

 

 

Nov 5, 2018

My lovefest with Hamilton Broadway's Lexi Garcia this week! Lexi goes IN on Woman 2, you guys are going to love it. It's such a technical track and Lexi gives so many great details from props to choreography. We also talk EduHam, falling on stage, the true awe of being in Hamilton: An American Musical. 

Oct 29, 2018

*This episode contains a brief conversation about bulimia and mental health around 17:00 and lasts roughly a minute and a half.*

Hamilton Broadway's Lexi Garcia is a gem and this episode is a front row seat to the bonding that happened between us during this recording. Lexi talks about her deep love for Betsy Struxness (Hamilton's original Woman 2/Bar Wench as Lexi calls her), Karla Garcia, Stephanie Klemons, and powerful women in general. Lexi also tells her story from not being able to afford the Hamiltome to seeing the show for the first time and then being cast in Hamilton on Broadway.

AND! Lexi shares a gorgeous story about a woman named Ruth (they sat next to each other the first time Lexi saw Hamilton) and I have to find her! Email me with any information because #FindRuth is in full swing!

Oct 22, 2018

Here it is! The third and final (sad face!) episode with Solea Pfeiffer and Ryan Vasquez. We talk a lot about James Reynolds, praise costume designer and genius Paul Tazewell, and Ryan and Solea talk about what they've learned about themselves and each other thanks to their experience working together in Hamilton. And as Solea says, we're taking it to the streets and calling out Neil Haskell to be on the podcast! #GoNeilOrGoHome

Oct 15, 2018

Solea Pfeiffer and Ryan Vasquez are back and this week we hear about Ryan's crazy audition story (and his ability to avoid the Hamilton album... except for Eliza's tracks and oh yeah THE TONY AWARDS), and both Ryan and Solea talk about their first time performing together as Hamilton and Eliza. There's also lots of love for other Hamilton company members and Solea talks about how meaningful the role of Eliza was to her. 

All things Gavin Creel:

http://www.gavincreel.com/

https://www.instagram.com/gavincreelofficial/

Some information on Loud Nite, the Gavin Creel project Ryan and Solea talked about: 

https://publictheater.org/Tickets/Calendar/PlayDetailsCollection/Joes-Pub/2018/G/Gavin-Creel/

 

 

 

Oct 8, 2018

Solea Pfeiffer and Ryan Vasquez are here! Solea originated Eliza on the First National Tour of Hamilton aka The Angelica Tour. On that same tour Ryan covered Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, George Washington, James Reynolds, Philip Schuyler, and The Doctor. Ryan is now in Hamilton's Broadway company covering those same roles and this amazing couple came over to talk to me about their relationship, careers, and what it was like for a real life couple to play Hamilton and Eliza on stage. 

@HamiltonAsDogs tweets: 

https://twitter.com/hamiltonasdogs/status/947214093936615424

https://twitter.com/hamiltonasdogs/status/851516338673598464

https://twitter.com/hamiltonasdogs/status/845067399724359681

https://twitter.com/hamiltonasdogs/status/818906991267459072

 

Bedknobs and Broomsticks - "Portobello Road"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYBECKl0zFo

 

Phillipa Soo - "No One Else" from Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Original Cast Recording):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF8ta_5D7og

Oct 1, 2018

Wallace Smith is back for round two and this week we take a deep dive into Wallace's audition story (and how Lin-Manuel Miranda speCIFICALLY REQUESTED THE YORKTOWN RAP AHHHH) and the Madison/Jefferson dynamic. We also sing the praises of so many Hamilton peeps including James Monroe Iglehart, Tommy Kail, Alex Lacamoire, Chris Lee, Paul Tazewell, Karen Olivo, and more!

Sep 24, 2018

Wallace Smith, Hamilton Broadway's Hercules Mulligan/James Madison is on the pod this and next week! In this episode Wallace tells me about coming to the Broadway company from the Chicago cast, how he first heard about Hamilton to begin with, and we give a lot of much deserved love to the badass teachers out there. Oh, and apparently there were three random gummi bears on the stage the night before he came over? I will never stop laughing about it. Enjoy!

Sep 17, 2018

I had a blast hanging with original Chicago company member Gabriella Sorrentino! Gabby joins me to talk about the suuuuper intense job of being a dance captain, her recent Broadway debut, and her work with Katie's Art Project. Ya know, just two New York City gals bonding and talking about Hamilton LIKE YA DO!

 
Gabby performing on The Tony Awards with On Your Feet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5LfltUNyIQ

Choreographing 'Hamilton': The Meaning Behind the Moves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmYTsOrnWP0

Bernstein: West Side Story - 13. Scherzo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BXq-IbYddY

Katie's Art Project:
https://www.katiesartproject.org/

Buy "It's Beautiful" performed by Gabriella Sorrentino and Jimmie Jeter (Hamilton Chicago):
http://bit.ly/itunesitsbeautiful
 
Stephanie Klemons talking about Katie's Art Project and Hamilton: 
https://www.thehamilcast.com/episode-110-its-a-dream-and-its-a-bit-of-a-dance/

Sep 10, 2018

Hamilton West End's very own Jamael Westman (Alexander Hamilton) stopped by the podcast during a very quick trip to New York City! This was a last minute recording and unfortunately happened during a hundred degree heat (Seriously. Please excuse the noise of the fan.), but when A.Ham comes from all the way across the sea, you record with him! Jamael is so kind and funny and we had the best time. Jam does his first ever Burr's Corner and talks about some of the mayhem that has occured on stage! Plus we talk about the differences between US and UK audiences, legacies, and the genius of Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

 

Three Lions - “Football’s Coming Home”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJqimlFcJsM

 

RADA - Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (dahling)

https://www.rada.ac.uk/

Sep 3, 2018

Hamilton Broadway's Sean Green Jr. (Ensemble, Mulligan/Madison, Washington, Burr) is back for round two! This week, Sean tells us how the badass women in his life shaped who he was and helped him get to Broadway. He also gets super honest about blowing off his very first Hamilton audition (I KNOW), why Aaron Burr is so his vibe, how everything in his life led him to Hamilton, and oh yeah how there's a book of 19th century erotica that the ensemble members read on stage during the shOW IT IS BANANAS!!! 

Aug 27, 2018

Hamilton Broadway's Sean Green Jr. (Ensemble, Mulligan/Madison, Washington, Burr) is full of energy and honesty and we go in on all the things! Sean tells a *crazy* story about going on for Mulligan/Madison for the first time and how it resulted in a bad injury, a month off, overwhelming anxiety, and lots of self-reflection. Sean also talks about growing up in Philly, plays audio messages from his Dad, and gets a surprise FaceTime from an old friend. We had a blast!

Aug 20, 2018

Hamilton set designer David Korins stops buy to drink martinis, eat olives, do headstands, talk about the upcoming #Hamiltent exhibition (OH MY GOD YOU GUYS IT SOUNDS AMAZING), why the original turntables had to recently be replaced, and why The Cabinet™ can only get nicer and more generous. But David isn't just about Broadway so we talk about many of his other projects and he gives a *lot* of excellent advice. 

http://www.davidkorinsdesign.com/

https://www.bond45ny.com/

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-ent-hamilton-exhibit-postponed-0717-story.html

Aug 13, 2018

The final installment of #LasVegust with Hamilton's Philip Company! Here's the second half of my hang with cast members Nik Walker, Kyle Scatliffe, Shoba Narayan, Ta'Rea Campbell, Elijah Malcomb, Tyler McKenzie, Conroe Brooks, and Abby Jaros, as well as musicians Austin Burket, Buffi Jacobs, and Lily Ling. I miss Vegas already! Massive thank you to the Neiman Marcus Cafe on Las Vegas Blvd!

Aug 6, 2018

#LasVegust continues with Hamilton's Philip Company! This week is the first part of my hang with cast members Nik Walker, Kyle Scatliffe, Shoba Narayan, Ta'Rea Campbell, Elijah Malcomb, Tyler McKenzie, Conroe Brooks, and Abby Jaros, as well as musicians Austin Burket, Buffi Jacobs, and Lily Ling. This was so fun! Massive thank you to the Neiman Marcus Cafe on Las Vegas Blvd!

Jul 30, 2018

Welcome to three weeks of Hamilton's Philip Company! I took Mike, my Right Hand Man, to Las Vegas and we had the best time. We saw Hamilton, talked to the cast and musicians, and I have three weeks of recordings for you! 

First up, Fergie Philippe (Mulligan/Madison) comes back to The Hamilcast for a solo recording. Fergie is the one of the main reasons I went to Vegas (Tyler McKenzie and Julian Ramos helped), and he unfortunately couldn't make the big recording with members of the Philip Company. Since Fergie is the nicest, he asked if he could still be part of #LasVegust (Get it? Because the Las Vegas episodes are airing in August?) and offered to come to hang in our hotel room and chat about Hamilton and tour life. 

Check out Fergie's first appearance on The Hamilcast (with Julian Ramos) in these episodes: 

https://www.thehamilcast.com/episode-107-we-tell-your-story/

https://www.thehamilcast.com/episode-108-we-tell-your-story-part-two/

Stay tuned next week for the first half of my chat with Nik Walker, Kyle Scatliffe, Shoba Narayan, Ta'Rea Campbell, Elijah Malcomb, Tyler McKenzie, Conroe Brooks, Abby Jaros, Austin Burket, Buffi Jacobs, and Lily Ling.

Jul 23, 2018

In Alex Lacamoire's third episode Alex talks about how electronic sounds are used in Hamilton, why the orchestrations of It's Quiet Uptown destroy us every single time we listen to it, more musical themes, and finally... we do Barbershop Beastie Boys. Alex, please come back!

(It's Quiet Uptown is discussed and played from 12:00-14:45 and again from 16:30-21:05)

Will Wells: 

http://willwellsmusic.com

Aesop Rock - 1,000 O'Clock: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-qrvz_tA_k

The Beatles - Fixing a Hole:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPBd8eHQqIw

Jul 16, 2018

Alex Lacamoire is back to blow our minds once again which is crazy because I'm still not over last week's episode. This week we dive into Lin-Manuel Miranda's favorite arrangements and how Alex came to make them: Yorktown (YAASSSS!!!), Wait For It (SRSLY YOU'RE NOT READY), One Last Time ("f@%k you strings!"), and That Would Be Enough (Alex brought something that even Lin hasn't heard yet - yes, there were tears). Oh! AND! Alex plays an exclusive track you can't hear anywhere else called "Hamilton Finale Idea" and while neither Alex, LMM, nor Thomas Kail remember exactly what it was for I can promise you that your world will never be the same. 

Andrés Forero Episodes: 

Episode #118: When you knock me down I get the fuck back up again // Part One

Episode #119: When you knock me down I get the fuck back up again // Part Two

That Would Be Enough musicians (Hamilton quartet from The Philip Tour - @hamiltourquartet)
Concertmaster/Violin I: Austin Burket
Violin 2: Hayden Oliver
Viola: Sarah Haines
Cello: Buffi Jacobs

 

Jul 9, 2018

Sir Alex Lacamoire is here! For THREE EPISODES! Get ready, you guys, your minds are about to be blown. Mike joins me for #JuLac and Alex was kind enough to bring an electric piano and play us ALL THE THINGS. In this first episode, Alex tells us all about The Schuyler Sisters, the song that went through the most changes. But he doesn't just tell us... he brought all the demos so we get to HEAR the evolution of the song. We also play a little game I like to call "In the style of..." and Alex plays his favorite Hamilton song in the style of Billy Joel, Rush, Fiona Apple, and Tori Amos. This episode is packed. We had the most fun ever and I hope you love it. 

 

How a Miami musician overcame hearing loss to help create the music to ‘Hamilton’:

https://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/article107866077.html

First Burn #Hamildrop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ys-AimNbE

Alex Lacamoire on Shockwave’s Shock and Awesome Podcast:

https://headgum.com/shock-and-awesome/lacamoire-the-room-where-it-happens

Mike Elizondo on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify_in_residence/playlist/1qjLC064PnRWeyvOAPJH6R#_=_

Fiona Apple - “Extraordinary Machine”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQk0xTwZumo&list=PLEGB_5jnXjR0lvILUb0-kSiQV7ys4eoKH

The Regrettes - “Helpless” #Hamildrop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK_9hkWigYs

Satisfied (feat. Miguel & Queen Latifah):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZCKsSmRMx4

Daft Punk - “Random Access Memories”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IluRBvnYMoY&list=PLcdN8reXV1kxMnaH06Wi8KJYPMIzehXuo

The Notorious B.I.G - “Things Done Changed”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy5m_9HXp6A

 

Jul 2, 2018

Hamilton director Tommy Kail is back again this week and I am reminded, by Tommy, that no one thinks I'm laid back. In this episode Tommy talks about the casting process including how Hamilton has the feeling of a family reunion, and he gives his opinion on what happens in the very last moment of the show. In non-Hamilton related topics, Tommy tells the story of how he and Lin-Manuel Miranda ended up in the Sex and the City movie, his experience directing Grease LIVE!, and why "Mona Lisa" by Slick Rick is a defining song for him. 

The West Wing Weekly: Hamilton Special (with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail)

Grease: Live Is The Word

Grease LIVE! Freddy My Love

Slick Rick - "Mona Lisa"

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