Javier Munoz Will Be Alternate in HAMILTON on Broadway — Page 2

Updated On: 7/6/15 at 01:46 PM

With all due respect Hogan, this has nothing to do with "Star worship". I just happen to want to see the original cast with the original Leads. Just as I'm sure many others did not want to see Gypsy without Patti Lupone or The Visit without Chita. At the end of the day, It's our money and our prerogative and for some of us, we can only see the show once. I am flying overseas to see this show, I think I have every right to pick what night I want to go on.

Updated On: 7/6/15 at 01:47 PM

All good points, HogansHero.

Notwithstanding that, after a Tony-winning Best Musical, which he also starred in, there will be some people who purchased tickets specifically to see Lin-Manuel Miranda. And there will be people, like us, who ALREADY once before purchased tickets thinking we would see Lin-Manuel, and while not in the least disappointed by the understudy/alternate we saw, ONLY purchased tickets to see it again so that we could finally see Miranda perform the role himself.

In light of all that, and what we're already seeing on this thread, regardless of whether or not he's billed above the title, whether 'the star is the show', 'the show is the ensemble', etc., they'll have to put a policy in place to make allowances or risk some royally pissed-off patrons, whether today or, even worse, when people show up at the door. (Honestly, if the producers REALLY want to do the right thing, they should contact all ticket holders for those performances by email to inform them of the substitution and let them know how they've decided to handle it. But I'm probably dreaming there.)

Just putting it out there, too: If anyone is selling their ticket because Javier is on, especially during previews, I would gladly buy it from you.

Call it what you will, but when you want the "thrill" of seeing someone, I call that star worship. N.B., this is not an iconic performance that loses something with another actor. In fact many people have said that the think Javi is better, including Lin-Manuel.

I was holding my breath when I went to that page. I have tix to a Wednesday matinee. It looks like I'll get to see LMM. *crosses fingers* I keep checking it, because I'm a little obsessive and I can't be this lucky. It seems too good to be true. I definitely want to see LMM. I may only get to see it once, so I want to see it with the original cast. I definitely want to see the show with its creator. It's the same as seeing Hedwig with JCM. Of course LMM is going to say this other fellow is better. He's a classy guy. He also has to make sure people see the show without him in it.

Javier IS part of the original cast. And to say they "should" have done this MONTHS ago,the actors didn't have contracts months ago, and they might not have even made the decision to DO an alternate one perf a week.

No matter when this was announced, folks weren't going to be happy. There is nothing shady here -- but YOUR priorities and their priorities are not in the same stratosphere.

Here's the problem with all the people that want to switch their tickets.....if they allow you to do so, you will likely have to either accept horrible seats or wait several more months for comparable seats, they can't give you what they don't have.

I have to admit, when I opening the article, I was on the fence as to what I hoped would be there...Javier or LMM. I DO know, I wouldn't have to consider switching -- I'd be fine either way.

I'd be happy to see this show at all, to be honest, regardless of who's in the title role.

I'm sorry but this is just unacceptable. Think what you want but this is underhanded and just plain deceitful and rude.

It's a very demanding role. Additionally, since Lin is the composer and it's a sung-through show, he needs to make sure that he's watching (either from the booth, the pit, or the audience) to make sure he can make changes where necessary. After the show opens it's probably to take a rest from this very demanding role, though he did say he'd be in the audience most times he's not playing Hamilton.

I've seen both Javi and Lin, by the way, and they're both great. I suppose that's no consolation for those who wanted to see Lin, but all I can really say is that you're in good hands.

"Javier went on Sundays off-Broadway if I remember correctly"

I don't think he had a consistent schedule off-Broadway. At least not in the beginning. I saw him on a Saturday.


"Honestly, if the producers REALLY want to do the right thing, they should contact all ticket holders for those performances by email to inform them of the substitution and let them know how they've decided to handle it. But I'm probably dreaming there"

What about the people who bought tickets in person at the box office? Track them down too? You're suggesting producers should contact tens of thousands of people (literally) and let them reschedule [non-refundable] tickets at their convenience just because you're disappointed in a casting change? Dreaming is an understatement. The producers are not obligated to make sure you see Lin.

"I'm sorry but this is just unacceptable. Think what you want but this is underhanded and just plain deceitful and rude."

Seriously? You know absolutely nothing about what, when, why or how decisions were made, yet you're convinced what has now been communicated is the result of underhandedness. It's got to be black or white, doesn't it? No in-between? And everyone's out to stick it to ya? I guess life just kinda sucks, doesn't it?