Leslie Odom Jr Leaving Hamilton

[brdwayjunkie1391]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 2:18pm

Leslie held a facebook live this morning and announced he is leaving on July 9. 

[chi-town_bwayfangirl]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 2:33pm

I was expecting him to say he was leaving July 9, but I WASN'T expecting him to say "as of right now I am not part of the film [with the original cast that was announced last week]...would love to be a part of it but there's a small chance I won't be." Seems really weird he'd say that, esp if there's only a "small" chance?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 2:35pm

   I guess they didn't make it worth his while.   Damn, I was hoping to see him one more time later in July.  Let the speculation being on his replacement!

[pupscotch]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 2:37pm

If Lin is going to be in the film, and they're filming it before the original cast leaves, why wouldn't he be in it?

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 2:44pm

Updated On: 6/19/16 at 02:44 PM

[brdwayjunkie1391]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 2:45pm

I was assuming that they were going to film two of the shows before July 9 and then compile them to make the OBC film. I'm hoping this is some miscommunication because you can't call it a Hamilton OBC film and then not have the original Aaron Burr in it. This film is all that is keeping me from selling my December tickets and spending my entire paycheck on a ticket to see Leslie! I really want to see his Burr whether it's live or recorded. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 2:48pm

If they haven't signed contracts for that, then he isn't officially a part of it.   

[brdwayjunkie1391]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 2:55pm

Hopefully they'll work that out! 

I can handle not having Groff, but I'm not sure about not having Leslie. 

It will be interesting to see who his replacement will be. 

Updated On: 6/19/16 at 02:55 PM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 2:56pm

Remember that time when everyone was just so confident all the leads would stay at least through the summer to celebrate that new Tony glow?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:02pm

Define "everyone".  I think that was only the young'uns wishful thinking

Updated On: 6/19/16 at 03:02 PM

[aaaaaa15]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:04pm

everythingtaboo said: "Remember that time when everyone was just so confident all the leads would stay at least through the summer to celebrate that new Tony glow?"

No?

[nsguy45]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:06pm

Leslie said a few nights ago on Andy Cohen that he would definitely wish to stay with the show beyond his contract ending July 9th if the money was right.

[brdwayjunkie1391]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:06pm

The general consensus was that the majority, if not all, would be leaving. I fully expect Daveed, Chris, and Renee's announcements to follow shortly. 

There was always that chance some would stay, but the Hamilton producers don't really have much incentive to pay to keep them. 

[Dave13]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:07pm

Recently, he didn't rule out staying with the show.  I guess contract negotiations didn't make it worth while.  I get the sense he really wanted to stay if the price was right. I can't imagine another Aaron Burr.  Unless I catch the show on tour, I really doubt I will see it again on Broadway.  

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:08pm

So now Rene and Daveed are the question marks.

 

Will the new Burr be promoted from within, or will we see someone who's auditioned but not yet played the role?  I know he has at least two covers, likely three.  Yet they don't always move people up, as most posters here know.  It's never a given. And there's no Javier.  Since this show doesn't advertise at all, and never with cast attached, the casting news will likely be informal.  But if anyone with a track record in the business is ready to assume Burr, that will be exciting news.  

[Wick3]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:08pm

The first time I saw Hamilton back several months ago Leslie was out so Sydney James Harcourt played Burr and my friend and I thought he was amazing. I later saw Hamilton with Leslie as Burr and I can see how Leslie won Best Actor. Either way, I wish Leslie the best. 

Personally (and selfishly) I was hoping some of the cast members would leave later after July 9th so they'd have their own goodbye party.

Has anyone seen Hamilton since the Tony's ? During curtain call, did they finally let Leslie have his own bow? I've seen the show 4 times and in each one Eliza bows, and then Hamilton bows.... then the entire cast bows together. I always wished they did the more traditional curtain call of having the ensemble bow first, then featured actors/actresses, then leads; then all of them together.

[Dave13]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:10pm

I agree.  I cannot fathom the show without Leslie.  I am fine with just about everyone else leaving except him.  

[mariel9]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:10pm

I'm not surprised so many are leaving, but I am a little surprised the producers weren't able stagger the exits. I guess they weren't willing or able to pay what it would take to keep some of them a few more weeks.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:21pm

mariel9 said: "I'm not surprised so many are leaving, but I am a little surprised the producers weren't able stagger the exits. I guess they weren't willing or able to pay what it would take to keep some of them a few more weeks.

 

"

I'm about as positive as the sun will shine tomorrow that the producers are ABLE to pay the principals for a few more weeks. I'm not so positive that they are WILLING too, however. 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:22pm

nsguy45 said: "Leslie said a few nights ago on Andy Cohen that he would definitely wish to stay with the show beyond his contract ending July 9th if the money was right.

 

"

I have a hard time believing he'd say something about his paycheck in such a public way. Correct me if I'm wrong, though, as I haven't seen the interview. 

[Hellob]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:31pm

I think he's too "real" for his own good. He mentioned in a NYT (iirc) how the $ situation almost broke the cast, I'm assuming his Tony speech was also alluding to that situation, he admitted that he hasn't been getting offers that white actors would have - the last admission likely hurt his position in negotiations. Don't let the people who you are trying to get more money from know that no one else is offering you money. I'm so bummed. The nosy part of me hopes that the offer vs ask leak to see how far apart they were. 

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:34pm

These folks are crazy to be distancing themselves so quickly from this cash cow. Outside of this show they are nobodies. Does Leslie really think his album will be a hit? Ask Idina and all the tired old Rent original cast how easy it is. Leslie and Daveed will be begging to do the Hamilton 20th Anniversary tour. 

[littlemouse921]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:41pm

I think Lesli should replace Leslie

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:44pm

Hellob said: "I think he's too "real" for his own good. He mentioned in a NYT (iirc) how the $ situation almost broke the cast, I'm assuming his Tony speech was also alluding to that situation, he admitted that he hasn't been getting offers that white actors would have - the last admission likely hurt his position in negotiations. Don't let the people who you are trying to get more money from know that no one else is offering you money. I'm so bummed. The nosy part of me hopes that the offer vs ask leak to see how far apart they were. 

 

"

What was the money situation? Getting the 1 percentage point of the grosses?

 

^also, yes to Lesli.

[MinervaMoon]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 3:45pm

nsguy45 said: "Leslie said a few nights ago on Andy Cohen that he would definitely wish to stay with the show beyond his contract ending July 9th if the money was right."

Is he really getting paid so little for the show that it's not worth his while to stick around a little longer? (6 mo, a year? I don't know how contracts work.) Because it it was about money, you'd think it means he has something lined up that would be immediately more lucrative, that Hamilton is preventing him from doing. Television/film? I know he has said he wants to work on music but I have no idea how much that would pay compared to a regular salary from appearing on stage.