Javier Muñoz Love Thread

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 9:26pm

 

He's the star now. We used to have "love threads" all the time around here, and I think this guy deserves one.

And this article in today's New York Times paints a portrait of a remarkable human being. Who has seen him already? I want to get another set of tickets now, because I want to see him play the role.

 

Mr. Muñoz brings his own life experience to the role. The son of a doorman, he grew up in a housing project — the Linden Houses, in East New York, Brooklyn, which he recalls as scarily violent and dangerous. “I can’t lie — I’m still afraid of it,” he says. “It was so much fear growing up there.”

He is 40, openly gay, H.I.V. positive and a cancer survivor — he had surgery and radiation last fall, missing weeks of performances in “Hamilton,” but has been back in the cast for months. He said he feels strong — the virus is undetectable, the cancer screenings negative — and is raring to go. “I had my first follow-up in March, and all green lights,” he said. “I’m good.”

 

NEW YORK TIMES: A Word With: Javier Muñoz, the New Hamilton on Broadway

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/11/theater/a-word-with-javier-munoz-the-new-hamilton-on-broadway.html?_r=0

 



 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 9:28pm

.

Updated On: 7/12/16 at 09:28 PM

[Huss417]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 9:39pm

I haven't seen him yet in the role but look forward to seeing him soon.

[MyFavoriteBrunette]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 9:42pm

I have Mrch 2017 tickets for two Tuesday performances, one with my sister and one with my husband.  We are all excited to see Javier as Hamilton.  Much love to him!

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 9:46pm

I had the pleasure of seeing Javi as Usnavi in In the Heights several times (One of the best the show had) and I got to see him as Hamilton the weekend before the Tonys. He's an incredible performer and just a wonderful guy who has definitely defied the odds in so many ways.

[sorano916]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 9:49pm

Back at the Public, I helped collect for BroadwayCares and whenever Javi was on, he always came & stood next to me, pull his arm over my shoulder and shared my bucket. Every once in a while, since he was still in costume, people would ask to take a photo with him while he gladly did after they donated. He was never without a smile.

Unfortunately, I never got to see him at the Public, but managed to get a ticket for his first Broadway performance two days before (which is unheard of these days). It was the performance with the President so it was crazy but Javi did a fantastic job. No nervousness or hesitation. And I'm sure he's grown since then.

He's really passionate & open on his social media platforms about what he believes in as well as showing his goofy side (Mostly on his Snapchat with his "Before Coffee" and "After Coffee" snaps). He had a little cafe in his dressing room (Javi's Cafecíto) where he made coffee for his castmates & they just hung out. He created a little garden outside on the RRT's balcony.
 
He just seems like a really great guy who's been dealt lots of cards and just won't take anything for granted. 

Updated On: 7/11/16 at 09:49 PM

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 9:52pm

I saw Javier as Hamilton back in October (I happened to have Sunday matinee tickets that I bought before Lin's alternate dates were announced). He was absolutely wonderful, and he has a completely different vibe than Lin. He truly commanded the stage and I'm so excited that he's taking on the role full time now, I can't think of anyone better. He's also a total sweetheart and genuine kind soul, I've engaged with him a few times on social media and he couldn't be nicer. I so admire his openness about everything he's gone through, as well as his tenacity.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 9:59pm

So happy to hear he's cancer-free! Indeed, he has been dealt some of the worst cards, but has managed to come out of it alive and on top. And the star of the one of the biggest musical phenomena of all time, no less! Very happy for him. 
 
I saw him as Hamilton back in December, and he does a great job. If I had to pick, I might say I prefer's Lin's firecracker energy over Javi's more slick and cool Hamilton, but they are both unique and excellent portrayals of the role. The role is in good hands! 

Updated On: 7/11/16 at 09:59 PM

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:12pm

I adore this man

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:15pm

I'm so excited to see him next week! 

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:19pm

His Hamilton is slick, soulful, and deliberate. I had the delight of seeing him early in the role and yes, you can see Lin's influence, but you can also see what he does with the part and how he helped shape our perception   of Hamilton. His It's Quiet Up Town destroys.

But as a human being, the man's a gem who truly practices what he preaches. He's been dealt such a tough hand in life, but never has he let that define him or be a reason for pity. To me, his efforts to be a good human  being are more important then his Hamilton, even though he does it so well. 

The spotlight is on him now. And he's earned it.

[@z5]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:23pm

Hope he's still in it and no other major cast changes before November!!

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:25pm

I haven't even seen the show with him yet and I love Javi. He just seems like the kindest soul. I can't wait to see him as Hamilton later this year.

[snl89]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:26pm

Yay for a Javi love thread! He seems like such a sweetheart, and as much as I adore Lin and am bummed I didn't get to see him as Hamilton, I am really VERY excited at the prospect of Javi being my first Ham I've literally only ever heard amazing things about his performance, and I can't wait to experience what he brings to the role! 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:30pm

I get why the fans are calling him the sexy Hamilton. I'm in love.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:35pm

It seems like Javier is another example why the best replacement tony award should be reinstated.

Updated On: 7/11/16 at 10:35 PM

[NYadgal]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:40pm

Yes! to this thread!

i loved the article about him, and agree about the Best Replacement award.   

I may have to pay this show another visit...   

[thedrybandit]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:47pm

I got to see him in April, after seeing Lin last year, and I absolutely adore his Hamilton. He's perfect in the role, and the way that Lin wrote the role, swapping out with Javi as needed, shows. He wrote it for both of them, and Javi sings the hell out of the score and his acting is completely on point throughout the whole thing. Lin has more of that firecracker energy that's been mentioned before, but I didn't miss that at all. Javi brings everything he has onto the stage. I can't recommend him enough. He totally would deserve that best replacement award.

[picturetaker9211]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:50pm

A great profile of him in The New York Times! I'm really hoping to see him next year since I've heard nothing but praise about him & his performances. I have tickets for a Sunday matinee in January, so here's to hoping!

[Mediamaven2]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 10:53pm

PalJoey said: " 

He's the star now. We used to have "love threads" all the time around here, and I think this guy deserves one.

And this article in today's New York Times paints a portrait of a remarkable human being. Who has seen him already? ....

 

Agree! Could not believe his story as per the NYT article. What a remarkable human being indeed. I hate to sound banal so I'll just stop at that. He was impressive on stage when I saw him last October-ish, and he is all the more impressive now that I know a bit about his true life journey off-stage. 

 

 

 

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 11:15pm

He was very good when I saw him in In the Heights.  I'm sure by the time I get tickets to Hamilton, however, he'll have been replaced 2-3 times already!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 11:23pm

This is the only show I've ever seen Javier in, and even then I remember him being incredible: 
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/babes-without-irony/Content?oid=1067274

And I'd really like to see him as Hamilton. Maybe one day!

[Tandrews]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 8:58am

I thought he was excellent during his run in "In the Heights". I can't wait to see him as Hamilton. Dare I say, I liked him more than LMM in ITH? 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 9:00am

I am totally in love with this papi chulo. He was wonderful in IN THE HEIGHTS and he slays in HAMILTON. He's so, so sexy and I am glad he kicked cancer's ass!

We share very similar backgrounds.

¡Te amo Javier mi papito!

Updated On: 7/12/16 at 09:00 AM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 9:08am

When I purchased my tickets last August, I got one to see LMM (November), and another to see Javier (January).  Unfortunately I had to bag my trip in January to see Javier because of the blizzard.  Believe me I was bummed.  Due to the extreme kindness by someone affiliated with the show, I was able to secure a ticket for March.  He offered to do this for me, as I never would have asked this person about trying to get me a ticket, especially knowing he was inundated with ticket requests.  I was absolutely thrilled when I found out my ticket was for when LMM was out on vacation so I'd be seeing Javier after all!  He was wonderful.  I really enjoyed reading that article in the NY Times about him.