Chicago HAMILTON cast announced- Page 2

[John Adams]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 10:46am

JBroadway said: "Interesting that they went with someone a bit older for The King. He strikes me as a bit more of the Brian d'Arcy James type, which they seem to have been moving away from. The other 3 kings are all very similar types as each other."

By casting King George with a younger-looking (perhaps incorrectly, but I'd even say, twink-ish) actor, the character comes across like a spoiled child, which I think is effective.

I'm very excited to see the role returning to the Brian d'Arcy James type you describe. I think it will help distinguish Chicago's from the Broadway production, and I can't wait to see how differently it will play.

 

Updated On: 7/13/16 at 10:46 AM

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 10:48am

LizzieCurry said: "broadwayguy91 said: "Nice to see some Asian representation with Ari Asfar and Chris Lee (I'm assuming he's Chinese?)"

 

He's played Benny in ITH, so probably not.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2016/03/05/street-theatre-scores-heights/81368944/

 

"

Perhaps he's of mixed parentage then. @neonlightsxo: I wasn't being racist, if that was what you interpreted of my statement. I'm Asian myself, so I was merely being happy that they were continuing the trend of casting someone with an Asian ethnic background in the leading/ featured actors. that's all. 

I put the II'm assuming he's Chinese) because I wasn't sure whether he was actually, since Lee seems to be a fairly common Caucasian surname as well.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 10:48am

This is the Chris Lee who will be playing Jefferson :

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 10:49am

Thanks ashley77. I was googling for him but I couldn't find his photo. I kept getting the English actor Christopher Lee, LOL.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 10:50am

broadwayguy91, I'm also of Chinese ancestry and have a TON of family members named Lee. But I would never assume such a common name (especially just seeing it written down) indicates someone is also Asian.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 10:52am

Or I should have said, that is the Chris Lee who played Benny in In the Heights. I don't think it's 100% confirmed he's THE Chris Lee. We'll know soon, I'm sure!

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 10:54am

LizzieCurry said: "broadwayguy91, I'm also of Chinese ancestry and have a TON of family members named Lee. But I would never assume such a common name (especially just seeing it written down) indicates someone is also Asian.

 

"

that's true. that's why I put the question mark in "I'm assuming he's Chinese?" . because I wasn't so sure myself. 

 

@ashley77: I don't know whether LMM had a say in the casting for the Chicago production, but I wouldn't be surprised if its the same Chris Lee. lol. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 10:59am

It doesn't seem like a ton of outlets are including this part from the original press release, either:

"(In preparation for his Chicago debut as Alexander Hamilton, Mr. Cervantes will play the role on Broadway on July 13 matinee, July 18 and July 25.)"

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat_new/d.php?id=2342662

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 11:08am

broadwayguy91, your "explanation" does not make what you said less racist.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 11:10am

If you legitimately interpret broadwayguy91's initial post as one of racism, then you're part of the problem.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 11:12am

It wasn't racist, just shortsighted and kind of dumb.

Let's get back to discussing the Chicago Ham cast!

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 11:12am

BroadwayConcierge said: "If you legitimately interpret broadwayguy91's initial post as one of racism, then you're part of the problem.

 

"

 

LOL. One of the more asinine comments I've read on here.

[ImAGeneralWEE]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 11:18am

I had been hoping against hope for Karen ever since she tweeted about the Chicago production when tickets went on sale in June.  So excited for my hometown production, and glad I decided to get a limited view single seat for opening night!

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 11:22am

LizzieCurry said: "It wasn't racist, just shortsighted and kind of dumb.

Let's get back to discussing the Chicago Ham cast!

 

"

yeah exactly. apt description of my initial post, thanks LizzieCurry, LOL. and yes, get back on track! lol. 

[Kitzka]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 11:30am

Wow. thanks for posting this. I am so excited about the Chicago cast. and thrilled to have snagged tickets for the Chicago run. It will be a great way to spend an evening during parent's weekend. :)

 

I'm excited to see who will be the new Burr as well. I am also keeping my fingers crossed about the ensemble members. A young man that my daughter danced with for years had been called back for a few auditions for an ensemble role. I think he has been offered an ensemble role but he isnt able to share (or doesn't know) if he will be part of the ensemble in NYC, Chicago or the other show. I am hoping Chicago as i would love to see him dance again.

 

Thanks again!

[lite2shine]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 12:04pm

Here you can see most of the principles' video clips. I'm still disappointed no Asian actor was cast Asfar may be a part of Indian but still..

https://www.broadwaybox.com/daily-scoop/see-the-chicago-hamilton-stars-in-action/

[Anakela]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 12:13pm

lite2shine said: "Here you can see most of the principles' video clips. I'm still disappointed no Asian actor was cast Asfar may be a part of Indian but still..

https://www.broadwaybox.com/daily-scoop/see-the-chicago-hamilton-stars-in-action/

"

Karen Olivo is Chinese. Her mom is 1/2 Chinese, that I know from interviews.

 

[lite2shine]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 12:19pm

Anakela said: 
"

Karen Olivo is Chinese. Her mom is 1/2 Chinese, that I know from interviews.

 

 

"

Hmm, does she identify as an Asian??

[Anakela]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 12:23pm

lite2shine said: "Anakela said: 
"

Karen Olivo is Chinese. Her mom is 1/2 Chinese, that I know from interviews.

 

 

"

Hmm, does she identify as an Asian??

 

"

I think she identifies as mixed (this is from 2009):

Let’s talk about your ethnicity. You’re what I call a swirl, a blend.
I usually just say mutt, but I’ll take swirl, that sounds nicer! My father is Puerto Rican and has Native American on his father’s side. And my mother is half-Dominican and half-Chinese.

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/11287/karen-olivo/

 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 12:23pm

Does it matter what she "identifies" as? That doesn't change her ethnic lineage. 

[lite2shine]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 12:34pm

Liza's Headband said: "Does it matter what she "identifies" as? That doesn't change her ethnic lineage. 

 

"

That's true. But having an "Ethnic Lineage" and casting an "Asian" actor are two different things for me. I see Asian actors as someone who have Asian culture/background. Because often time, Asian families are not supportive to become an actor, so those Asian actors who finally broke into a Broadway show are special to me. From the interview, it seems that Karen is more familiar with Spanish than Chinese.  "Which of those cultures did you grow up around the most? 
None. My parents both came here without speaking the language so they were very strict about us being American kids. They did speak Spanish in the household and I think that’s why my ear is so good—I know how it’s supposed to sound, but they were never really big on us speaking Spanish."

[thedrybandit]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 12:34pm

LizzieCurry said: "It doesn't seem like a ton of outlets are including this part from the original press release, either:

"(In preparation for his Chicago debut as Alexander Hamilton, Mr. Cervantes will play the role on Broadway on July 13 matinee, July 18 and July 25.)"

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat_new/d.php?id=2342662"

Oh wow. Today's matinee audience is very, very lucky.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 12:57pm

So now you're only happy if a mixed minority clearly identifies with a specific ethnicity? Are we really requiring some type of purity test here? 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 1:57pm

this news of the cast has made me so sad. the day the tickets went on sale, I was on a plane at the time so I couldn't buy the tickets myself, but a friend of mine hunkered down to get us seats and got stuck in that infamous line that ticketmaster had that day. She never got tickets (we needed three and by the time she got through there were only singles) and now with this....I hope I don't miss Karen altogether. I'm hoping against hope that she's still there when the next round of tickets are released (though obviously I won't hold my breath).

[eerhelm]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 2:57pm

Cast seems great! Though I do wish that there was more of a presence of Asian actors as leads. Maybe even someone of Indian or Middle Eastern descent? We don't see much representation of them in theater but it's a small nitpick.