DeAundre’ Woods, the And Peggy Tour’s Alexander Hamilton, joins me for two episodes! In part one, Dre’ tells me about going from being an opera-trained LSU Alum, to covering Hamilton/Burr/Laurens/Philip/Mulligan/Madison, to playing Hamilton full time. Plus, shared moments with Lin-Manuel Miranda onstage in Puerto Rico, the beauty of the domino effect, and what can happen when others see something in you that you don’t yet see in yourself.
Josh Mitchell from We Are Theatre and The Queendom shares stories on how he made a podcast through the COVID lockdowns about a show that never had a chance to open on Broadway, what goes into making your own way in the theatre world, his goals and plans for what comes next, and Josh takes questions from the Patreon Peeps.
Josh Mitchell of The Queendom and We Are Theatre podcasts joins The Hamilcast to talk about the culture of fandom, turning the love of one show into a community, making things you love, and his his history in the theater world that led him to making it all happen.
Part two of my conversation with Benét Monteiro, playing the role of Alexander from the German company of Hamilton, continues with stories from behind-the-scenes, tales of what it takes to work your way through the industry all over the world, his audition and rehearsal process, and so much more as Benét takes questions from the Patreon Peeps.
Germany’s A. Ham, Benét Monteiro, joins me on The Hamilcast to talk about life before Germany growing up in South America, his journey into musical theatre, the shows and roles that have inspired him along the way, and how he got to Germany to begin his professional career in the theatre.
In the second half of my conversation with Trevor Dion Nicholas (London’s George Washington), we dive into the rest of his Hamilton story including standing firm in his desire to audition for GWash and only GWash. Plus, we talk politics and how and when to separate the art from the artist. Or, you know, separate the genius writings from the terrible person. Looking at you, Thomas Jefferson! We do take a short detour to share our love for artists like incubus, foo fighters, and Ben folds and then we wrap up with the Patreon peeps. Yeah, we cover a lot of ground!
Trevor Dion Nicholas is currently playing George Washington in the West End and he kindly took some time to chat with me for two episodes. This week, Trevor walks me through how his career took him from West Virginia to the UK, his experience working with James Monroe Iglehart while covering Genie on Broadway (and then originating the role in London, and the beginning of his Hamilton journey.
In the second half of our chat, Ashley LaLonde (cover for all three Schuyler Sisters, Maria Reynolds, and Woman 5 on Hamilton's Philip Tour) walks us through her final Hamilton audition during which she had both Covid *and* the flu. Yes, it's possible! Ashley also has a very special relationship with all three Angelica, Eliza, Peggy, and Maria so she talks about she she connects to all of these fascinating women. Plus, Ashley takes questions from the Patreon Peeps, and gets very personal about her hair journey and how she grew to love her stunning natural curls.
Ashley LaLonde covers all three Schuyler Sisters, Maria Reynolds, and Woman 5 on the Philip Tour. Ashley’s Hamilton story is a total full circle moment with so many incredible stops along the way. As a born and raised New Yorker, Ashley saw and fell in love with Hamilton at The Public (thanks to Lin’s orthodontist, of all people!). She began singing Hamilton songs in her high school a cappella group and was determined to be in the show. Before being cast in Hamilton, Ashley did a quick stint at Harvard where she made history as the first woman to be cast (as the lead!) in a Hasty Pudding show.
I hope you're ready to do a deep dive on Angelica like never before, because Ava Brennan returns for the second half of our chat and is about to change your LIFE! Ava walks us through booking Hamilton and then lets us in on her emotional journey to capture the heartbreak and sacrifice of Angelica Schuyler. That experience led her to Fantine in Les Miserables and Ava discusses the similarities, difficulties, and triumphs of both roles.
Ava Brennan played Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace theater in London for a year, until August 2021. In her first solo episode (she was also featured in the London eps), Ava tells me about how she traveled the world playing characters she loves and how she eventually made her way to her West End debut as Nana in The Lion King. We also discuss Ava's performance in Top Boy on Netflix and discover of a mutual love for otters.
I'm wrapping up my conversation with Simon-Anthony Rhoden, Aaron Burr in the London company of Hamilton. Simon discusses the issues surrounding the lack of diversity and people of color on the West End, why representation matters so much, the idea of waiting for permission vs. doing your own thing. And of course, Simon takes questions from the Patreon Peeps!
London's Aaron Burr, Simon-Anthony Rhoden, is back for round two! This week, Simon discusses the importance of looking out for yourself, the search for the right agent, booking Kinky Boots (and the pressure - both figuratively and literally - that comes with stepping into Lola's heels, and what it's like when (ahem) "The Americans" stop by The West End.
Simon-Anthony Rhoden, London's Aaron Burr, joins me for some solo episodes! I'm sure you remember him from our London party recording, but I've been loving getting to know everyone one-on-one. In this episode, Simon talks about growing up studying performance and art, leaving traditional schooling for his drama training, how one circumstance lead to future opportunities, and a lot more.
This week, Obioma Ugoala wraps up his visit to The Hamilcast. London's original George Washington covered lots of ground including his journey to Hamilton, conversations about race in the arts, the importance of activism, and how his life experiences impact how he plays a role. And this week, he's also taking questions from the Patreon Peeps.
The Problem with My Normal Penis: Myths of Race, Sex and Masculinity by Obioma Ugoala
Obioma Ugoala is back for part two! The conversation continues with more discussion on Hamilton, race, life experiences, what makes a legacy, and so much more.
The Problem with My Normal Penis: Myths of Race, Sex and Masculinity by Obioma Ugoala
Obioma Ugoala, London's OG George Washington, visits The Hamilcast to talk about his journey with Hamilton, using the time you have to put your all into a role, creating a legacy, taking another look at history through activism, art, and using stories to change the minds of both the audience and the industry.
The Problem with My Normal Penis: Myths of Race, Sex and Masculinity by Obioma Ugoala
West End's Michael Jibson shares the similarities between Shakespeare and Hamilton, the unique opportunity to be in the room with "The Cabinet" as they stage the show, and much more as he answers questions from the Patreon Peeps in the final episode of The Hamilcast for 2022!
Olivier Award winning KG3, West End's Michael Jibson, shares his journey to the stage and screen. From booking his first show on the West End, to working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Michael talks about his first interactions with Hamilton, how shooting his shot ended with joining the Hamilton fam as it launched in London, and more.
And Peggy's Darnell Abraham talks about the process of his final Hamilton audition callbacks, kicking off a new leg of the tour in Puerto Rico with Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Darnell talks about his approach to George Washington, how the themes and conversations happening within Hamilton are still alive and well in America today, highlights from the road, and more as he answers questions from the Patreon Peeps.
And Peggy tour's George Washington Darnell Abraham shares about how growing up in California and getting early performing arts training and an education in opera led him to the world of musical theatre, auditioning for shows in New York, earning his Equity card, investing in yourself, learning when to say no, being humble, and much more.
Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama of the Angelica tour talks about the importance of seeing yourself on stage, finding pride and strength through her roots, finding performing roles that bring them together, and much more as she answers questions from the Patreon Peeps.
Angelica Tour's Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama shares how dancing competitively as a kid helped prepare her for a professional life in the performing arts, stories from her first interactions with Hamilton as a fan to her audition process, how she ended up performing live on The Oscars, and much more.
Paul Oakley Stovall discusses his other artworks, including writing plays, films, and series while on tour with Hamilton, how the company tour stops help shape the ways he works, what roles he would love to play if he wasn't in the role of George Washington, and more as Paul answers questions from the Patreon Peeps.
Paul Oakley Stovall shares stories from his incredible life working in the arts and public service after surviving gun violence, overcoming addiction, making a life in the theatre world, working for the Obama family, to touring the world with Hamilton as George Washington, taking home a Tony award, and more.