James Monroe Iglehart is taking questions from the Patreon Peeps, dream casts his ideal Hamilton line up featuring The Muppets, talks about working in a world with some of his biggest heroes, his favorite voice over gigs, and tells the story of the airport Disney Broadway showdown.
James Monroe Iglehart on Cameo
Great Moments in History with The Muppets
The LION KING & ALADDIN Broadway Casts Airport Sing-Off
Biggest Little Christmas Showdown
The Muppet Christmas Carol on Disney+
James Monroe Iglehart discusses how his Jefferson changes based on who he shares the stage with, what it was like to be in three shows at once with Hamilton, Hercules and Freestyle Love Supreme, and JMI turns the tables to take over the podcast.
James Monroe Iglehart returns to The Hamilcast to catch up on what's he's been up to since his first visit in 2017, takes us behind the curtain to what the whispers backstage were leading up to Broadway's eventual shutdown in 2020, and what it's been like to create virtual theatre experiences in the time of COVID.
#80: James Monroe Iglehart // Hamilton Broadway
James Monroe performs "Oogie Boogie's Song" | Disney Legends Ceremony
In part three, Jonathan Groff takes questions from the Patreon Peeps, reflects on his roles in Looking, Spring Awakening, and Frozen, talks about why the stage door is important to him, and explains how Little Shop of Horrors was an out of body experience.
Little Shop of Horrors (The New Off-Broadway Recording)
Jonathan Groff Channels His Inner Sutton Foster to Perform "Anything Goes"
Jonathan Groff reflects on what it was like to be part of the show as Hamilton on Broadway's popularity grew, navigating multiple busy shooting schedules from Mindhunter to the Tony awards, and the Hamilton live capture, and reveals his favorite places to hide out in the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
Broadway's original King George III, Jonathan Groff, tells the story of how he met Lin-Manuel Miranda, how he became a part of the Hamilton cast, taking over Off Broadway for Brian d'Arcy James. Plus: how he found his inspiration for the role and stories from backstage.
Lin-Manuel Miranda on The Hamilcast
Heights Cool Musical Too (Bet On It)
In part two, original company member Sasha Hutchings discusses her ongoing work to further the approaches and ways people interact with true representation in theater spaces, shares what she's been up to during the pandemic with The Chaos Twins, and reflects on her favorite moments with Hamilton while answering questions from the Patreon Peeps.
Original company member Sasha Hutchings joins me to discuss her journey from Georgia to New York City, pulling out all the stops for her Hamilton auditions, early workshops for The Public, and shares opening night stories. Plus, Sasha takes us behind-the-scenes on the set of SMASH and standing in for Jennifer Hudson.
In part two, Ashley De La Rosa talks about working with organizations like Broadway for Racial Justice, how Hamilton has come together to make change from within over the last year, reflects on her Hamilton rehearsal process, and gives her unique and playful take on playing Peggy.
And Peggy! Tour's Peggy/Maria, Ashley De La Rosa joins me to tell how her journey led to Hamilton: from her beginnings as a young voice on Dora the Explorer and season two contestant on NBC's The Voice, to booking Fosse/Verdon, RENT, Mean Girls, and more. Plus, her surprise family connections to the show.
Ashley De La Rosa Full Blind Audition
Ashley De La Rosa - Foolish Games
In part two of my conversation with Josh Tower, Josh explains how his history in the military shows itself onstage, shares some of his most outrageous show stopping moments, and plans are laid out for a Hamilton Haunts tour.
Angelica tour's Aaron Burr, Josh Tower, joins me to discuss his Broadway beginnings, his history working with original cast member Chris Jackson, his time with early Hamilton workshops, and his inspiration to pursue Burr.
In part two, Cody Renard Richard discusses his journey to Broadway with Freestyle Love Supreme, how he is working to help usher in the next generation of stage management, his advocacy work, and holding Broadway accountable.
Stage manager and activist Cody Renard Richard joins me to discuss his journey from Texas to New York, how he wound up as a stage manager for Hamilton and Freestyle Love Supreme, the power of a good cold email, and creating a path for yourself where there isn't one.
In part two, multi-hyphenate Hrishikesh Hirway takes us behind-the-scenes of filming with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, and Alex Lacamoire Netflix's 'Wait For It' episode of Song Exploder, shares his about his night out at Hamilton with the cast of The West Wing, breaks down his favorite parts of the gig, takes questions from the Patreon Peeps, and much more.
Creator of Netflix's new series Song Exploder and The West Wing Weekly podcast, Hrishikesh Hirway, joins me to discuss his journey exploring Hamilton with the show's creators, deep dive the connections between The West Wing and Hamilton, talk about what it means to care about something enough to make discovering its finest details your day job, and why that attention to detail and hard work matters to the artists who make the things we love.
A celebration of all the holiday classics, ’Twas The Night is a feel-good homage to the original poem, set in a world with security alarms, cell phones, and a little Christmas magic. Parents Ian and Margaret are having a serene Christmas night, their two children dreaming of sugar plums in the next room, when a series of noises and crashes cause concern that Margaret’s younger brother is playing a holiday prank. But who, really, arose such a clatter? In the end, the whole family remembers that it’s never too late to say what you mean and that the spirit of Christmas is stronger than ever.
Listeners of 'Twas the Night are encouraged to donate to The Actors Fund, supporting their mission of fostering stability and resiliency, and providing a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan.
Visit twasthenightplay.com for more information.
Credits
Aneesa Folds as Margaret
Michael Paul Smith as Ian
Nik Walker as Nick
Fergie L Philippe as Max
Lexi Garcia as Julie
James Monroe Iglehart as Santa
Christopher Jackson as Narrator
Eddy Lee as News Announcer, Dispatcher, more
Additional voices by
Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle
Written and directed by Michael Paul Smith
Production management by Leah Cornish for Mischief Media
Sound Editing by Michael Paul Smith and Matt Tamanini
Sound Effects by Matt Tamanini
Additional music provided by Matt Wilson Christmas Tree-O
Communications by Tori Bryan for Mischief Media
Graphics for 'Twas The Night by Jordan Edwards for Mischief Media
Website by Jenson Neal and Jordan Edwards
Produced by Mischief Media and Jenson Neal
Executive Producer Gillian Pensavalle
Special Thanks To:
Melissa Anelli, Founder and CEO of Mischief Media
SAG-AFTRA
The Actors Fund
The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone— performers and those behind the scenes—who works in performing arts and entertainment, serving more than 17,000 people annually. Programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and employment and training services. Visit www.actorsfund.org to learn more.
In part two, Aaron J. Albano tells what the process of booking Hamilton was like for him, talks about his change and growth as an artist from his first Broadway shows to now, and takes questions from the Patreon Peeps.
A celebration of all the holiday classics, ’Twas The Night is a feel-good homage to the original poem, set in a world with security alarms, cell phones, and a little Christmas magic. Parents Ian and Margaret are having a serene Christmas night, their two children dreaming of sugar plums in the next room, when a series of noises and crashes cause concern that Margaret’s younger brother is playing a holiday prank. But who, really, arose such a clatter? In the end, the whole family remembers that it’s never too late to say what you mean and that the spirit of Christmas is stronger than ever.
’Twas The Night features voice acting from Christopher Jackson, James Monroe Iglehart, Aneesa Folds, Lexi Garcia, Nik Walker, Fergie L. Phillippe, Eddy Lee, Patrick Hinds, Michael Paul Smith, and Gillian Pensavalle. ’Twas The Night will be released at twasthenightplay.com and on all podcast apps, via The Hamilcast feed, on Monday, December 14th.
Listeners are encouraged to donate to The Actors Fund, supporting their mission of fostering stability and resiliency, and providing a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan.
Visit twasthenightplay.com for more information.
Fellow Broadway podcast enthusiast, Philip Tour's Aaron J. Albano, adds The Hamilcast to his hitlist and tells the story of how he found his love for theatre early, following the path he was drawn toward despite other expectations from loved ones, why he didn't see Hamilton at The Public, and Aaron describes what it's like to be in an Andy Blankenbuehler room.
In part two, Holli Campbell introduces a new theatre initiative to make theatrical management more accessible, talks about what's exciting her most for the future of the industry, shares where she gets her fix for new shows and digital theater while the stages are empty, and takes questions from the Patreon Peeps.
Georgia: Absentee Ballot Request
A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote
Hamilton Broadway's associate company manager Holli Campbell joins me to talk about what has been happening behind-the-scenes of Hamilton since the shutdowns, how the various Hamilton companies have been keeping in touch in 2020, and recounts her time as the company manager for Freestyle Love Supreme on Broadway.
Alexzandra Sarmiento breaks down the popular reaction video she made with her fellow Hamilton West End dance captain of Room Where It Happens, talks about her role in UK equity and the idea behind her conversation series Systemic Injustice In The Arts, and takes questions from the Patreon Peeps.
Alexzandra Sarmiento on YouTube
In part two of our conversation Alexzandra Sarmiento details what it means to be a dance captain, what it was like seeing Hamilton for the first time, reveals the lyrics that changed from Broadway to the West End, take us behind-the-scenes at the Olivier Awards, and shares what it takes to keep the magic in the room where it happens.
Room Where It Happens: reaction video
Hamilton West End's dance captain Alexzandra Sarmiento joins me to talk about life in London, why she chose to explore theatre outside New York, tells all about her Hamilton audition process, and shares some funny stories about visits from the creative team.