Hamilton Broadway Reviews - Page 7

[Kad]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 6:57pm

His work as James Madison is not something I'd want to see lost, though he certainly could play Washington ably. I've never seen such a large, clearly powerful guy make himself so small and weak of body. I totally bought him as the diminutive Madison.

[macnyc]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 7:09pm

Kad, maybe you know the answer to this. I wonder why Oak is playing James Madison as elderly and/or sickly. I thought Madison only a few years older than Hamilton. Yet the James Madison on stage seems ready to keel over any minute.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 7:18pm

re Oak,

the first time I saw Hamilton, among all the great performances, his Mulligan and Madison intrigued me. I'm sure he'd be a great Washington, but I think others could be too. His performances are unique.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 7:40pm

"Kad, maybe you know the answer to this. I wonder why Oak is playing James Madison as elderly and/or sickly. I thought Madison only a few years older than Hamilton. Yet the James Madison on stage seems ready to keel over any minute."

 Madison, on top of being very short (probably 5'4") had lifelong poor health- some of it hysteric, some of it actual. He contracted all the major diseases of the time and though he recovered, it was psychologically scarring. He also had a voice issue as a young man, which prevented public speaking until well into adulthood. 

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 7:41pm

James Madison was a notorious hypochondriac...he had a few health ailments early in his life, but always felt he was harboring a horrible disease. On top of that, he was a very slight man. Only about 5'4" and 100lbs, making him our smallest president to date.

This website gives a brief overview of his health.

[macnyc]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 8:00pm

Thanks to both of you for the information!

[sorano916]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 8:45pm

Question: is there really no King George understudy or the person just doesn't want to be listed? I mean, it's not a large or diffcult part and Groff doesn't seem like the type of actor to take off random days, but I'm curious if they have someone as a back-up.

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 8:48pm

"Question: is there really no King George understudy or the person just doesn't want to be listed? I mean, it's not a large or diffcult part and Groff doesn't seem like the type of actor to take off random days, but I'm curious if they have someone as a back-up."

Probably not a big enough role to need an understudy specified? Just bump up an ensemble member.

I doubt they have someone waiting there just in case.

Updated On: 8/10/15 at 08:48 PM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 8:55pm

There are 2 understudies listed in the playbill, Sydney Harcourt and Austin Smith. 

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 8:56pm

"There are 2 understudies listed in the playbill, Sydney Harcourt and Austin Smith. "

 On Playbill Vault, they are understudies for George Washington, not King George.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 9:25pm

Haterobics, you are so right. My bad. 

[swanjewel]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 9:39pm

Will they just promote an ensemble member when Groff leaves for a few weeks to film the Looking movie?  

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 9:42pm

I don't have the playbill from the Public in front of me, but I think Javier Munoz may have covered that it as well. Or I may be totally off. I suspect, though, that it's a track at least one swing knows. King George has a great song and gets some laughs, but it may just be considered "featured ensemble," so no specific understudy may be listed.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 10:08pm

Muñoz is not listed and would not really work since it spoils the essence of the casting. My guess is that if Groff missed a day this week, Thayne Jasperson would cover it and a swing would cover his track. 

[asmith0307]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 10:20pm

I kinda want Thayne to take on the role. 

 

However, in regards to the comment about Javier maybe not covering the role due to the deliberate choice of King George being the only white featured actor - I think that when it comes to understudies, they are taking more leeway. Angelica is covered by Betsy Struxness and Eliza is covered by Carleigh Bettiol, both of whom are white. It is also important to note that the sisters have a standby as well, Alysha Deslorieux, so they wouldn't be the first to go on. 

[sorano916]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 10:36pm

"Muñoz is not listed and would not really work since it spoils the essence of the casting. My guess is that if Groff missed a day this week, Thayne Jasperson would cover it and a swing would cover his track. "

Would Thayne be the only option? Neil Haskell is also Caucasian, however, I don't know how his singing is. I've always known him as a dancer...

Anyone know who went on for Anthony tonight?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 10:56pm

Neil sings. He was in Altar Boys and was delightful.

 

I was thinking the same thing with he and Thayne being the only white guys besides Groff.

I wonder if they'll try to bring in a known entity for the time Groff will be filming.

[rsaleh]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 11:08pm

does anyone know what dates he is filming looking?

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/10/15 at 11:36pm

Andrew went on tonight for Anthony.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/11/15 at 12:27am

I don't know what the production has in mind but to me the King seems to be deliberately "other" (especially with the wildly out of place music) whereas everyone else is supposed to be a part of the mosaic, which does not preclude crossing ethnicities. The more I have thought about it, the more likely it seems there will be a drop-in for the time Groff is gone, but if someone has to cover without notice, I just thought that Thayne seemed like he could slip into Groff's shtick pretty easily. Because they are both such strong dancers, I doubt they'll want to put either in a non-dancing role for an extended time. But I reiterate I dunno.

[getatme]

Posted: 8/11/15 at 1:06am

Muñoz definitely covered the role downtown according to this tweet from Lin in March: https://twitter.com/Lin_Manuel/status/578992468852666368

I'm not sure if his new title as the official alternate for Hamilton would affect his covering the role uptown. But, as others have said, I assume Thayne Jasperson is a King George understudy.

Updated On: 8/11/15 at 01:06 AM

[macnyc]

Posted: 8/11/15 at 12:08pm

In case anyone is interested, here's a good article describing New York City locations where Hamilton lived, worked, and died. I keep meaning to get up to Hamilton Grange.

http://broadwaydirect.com/feature/hamilton-tour-new-york

Updated On: 8/11/15 at 12:08 PM

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 8/11/15 at 2:45pm

hey everyone

what days and performances does the understudy play the lead for hamilton?

I thought it was publicly posted on ticketmaster, but i dont see it anywhere

thanks!

[BOM]

Posted: 8/11/15 at 2:49pm

Saturday matinee i believe.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/11/15 at 3:00pm

from the press release, plastered all over the internet:"After opening he will play Saturday matinees through Labor Day, Sept. 7. Thereafter, he will continue to perform Sunday matinees during the run of the show."