Sydney James Harcourt left Hamilton?

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 3:31pm

As you guys may know, Sydney was the understudy for Aaron Burr (normally played by Leslie Odom Jr) and President Washington (normally played by Christopher Jackson.) When I saw the show back in January while Leslie was away on vacation, I was very impressed by Sydney's performance. Ok so when I heard Leslie was going to be away that week, I was a bit upset but Sydney was great!

I was lucky and won the hamilton lottery yesterday. During intermission, I looked in the playbill and it doesn't even list him as the understudy for either Burr/Washington anymore. Not sure what happened. I looked on Twitter and his last tweet was back on April 1st. I do recall reading a NY Times article that he's being considered to play the role of Burr in the upcoming Chicago production. Does anyone know if that's what he's up to now? Or will he return to Broadway?

[bfreak]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 3:37pm

He wasn't in it when I saw the show on April 18th but he was still listed in the playbill then. I was thinking about this too. I wonder.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 3:37pm

I was under the impression he was out with an injury, but I could be wrong.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 3:41pm

I wasn't aware of this, but I'm now wondering if he's quietly being prepped for the Chicago sit-down this fall.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 3:42pm

Why would they pull him out of the Broadway company to "prep" him? He already knows the role, that doesn't make sense...Again, I don't know, but that seems false.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 3:43pm

I just tossed out an idea. Good lord.

[aaaaaa15]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 3:45pm

Perhaps if he is performing in Chicago he wants some time away from the show to get other things done before he moves.

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 3:47pm

I just double checked my playbill from last night and the understudies for Aaron Burr are: Andrew Chappelle and Austin Smith; for General Washington are: Austin Smith.

Just found it odd. I hope he's well though. I really enjoyed his performance as Aaron Burr and hope to see him perform again in that role.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 3:57pm

I checked my playbill from last Monday (when he was not in) and he was still listed. 

 

Wasnt Thayne Jasperson removed from the playbill when he was out for an injury?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 4:01pm

I'm pretty sure he was. I saw Daniel J. Watts in his track and don't remember him having an insert or a slider on the board.

[MyLife]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 4:32pm

With the recent news that Leslie is leaving in July I was hoping they'd be prepping Sydney for Broadway and not Chicago.

[MyLife]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 4:32pm

With the recent news that Leslie is leaving in July I was hoping they'd be prepping Sydney for Broadway and not Chicago.

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 4:53pm

Who is listed as playing his track in the program (James Reynolds/Philip Schuyler?) He's still listed on Playbillvault and Ibdb. 

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 4:59pm

Anyone know why Betsy Struxness left the show (seemingly suddenly) ?

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 5:43pm

ChairinMain said: "Who is listed as playing his track in the program (James Reynolds/Philip Schuyler?) He's still listed on Playbillvault and Ibdb. "

For Philip Schuyler/James Reynolds/Doctor, it lists Roddy Kennedy.

 

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 5:51pm

He was still listed in the playbill when we saw the show on 4/14, but an understudy was on. 

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 6:03pm

He has an injury being fixed. 

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 6:50pm

He was out when I saw it on March 30th. Hope he's back soon. He was wonderful as George Washington when I saw for the first time in November.

I also wonder why Betsy left. Gerald Avery (a replacement) wasn't there long either.

[swanjewel]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:38pm

Someone on another board was asking if anybody knew why Betsy was asked to leave Hamilton but didn't elaborate. But her leaving was kind of sudden.  And they had a joint going away party for Groff and Emmy Raver-Lampman (another dancer). Seems kind of odd they woudn't have one for Betsy. There was just that photo with Lin and that was that.

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:59pm

I thought the same thing that her departure just 'happened', especially after the attention she was getting for all her social media posts.

[wish i were here2]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 9:13pm

AnnieBlack, was there something wrong that happened because of her social media posts? 

Updated On: 5/5/16 at 09:13 PM

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 9:57pm

The ensemble is on stage for almost the entire show and they're doing some intense work. It seems that it's taking a toll on ensemble members. Thayne Jasperson, Ariana Debose, Seth Stewart, and Harcourt have been out for extended periods at different points because of injury.

 

Gerald Avery was with the cast for 5 months, I think. He and Kamile Upshaw started at the same time, I believe. On the topic of understudies, has Nicholas Christopher officially joined as the Burr/Washington standby yet?

[Jace2017]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 10:14pm

I think he has started.I have seen pictures of him in costume. I don't know why Betsy left the show, but I s hope it was because she was cast in Cats. I doubt she was and I'm not the biggest fan of the show. I just think she would be fabulous in it. 

[thedrybandit]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 11:07pm

AnnieBlack said: "Anyone know why Betsy Struxness left the show (seemingly suddenly) ?"

I have no idea why she left, but it was on her website all the way back in November (I think it was November. Could be off of the exact month, but it was around that time) that "Betsy will be appearing in the ensemble of Hamilton on Broadway until March 2016." It was definitely planned, just not officially announced.

[Em6]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 11:14pm

MyLife said: "With the recent news that Leslie is leaving in July I was hoping they'd be prepping Sydney for Broadway and not Chicago.

 

"Leslie is leaving?  Oh no, I need to see it again before he leaves."