The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast

Anthony Lee Medina is back for another round tonight and we covered so much ground, it's crazy. Anthony tells us what it's like to die 16 times a week as Laurens/Philip on Broadway, how he did the role while battling E. coli (for real!), and our plans for a #HamPrayLove tour to see every single cast member perform every single track in every production of Hamilton. That shouldn't be too hard, right? Anthony also gushes over fellow cast members and describes how his world has been turned upside down since joining Hamilton.

I said shout it to the roofTOPS! Anthony Lee Medina (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton in Hamilton on Broadway) is on the show this - and next - week! In the first part of our chat we do a quick recap of Gillian seeing Hamilton the night the incomparable Donald Webber debuted as Lafayette/Jefferson, and Anthony tells us what that was like behind the scenes. Anthony also talks backstage pranks (again! so many pranks with this crew!), being a self proclaimed Hamilton "reference box," and insight into playing John Laurens and Philip Hamilton. And we may or may not go on a Madonna tangent... Okay, yeah, we totally do.

We're bringing back two listener favorites this week: A discussion of Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton and Amber Kempter of Broadway Goes Pop!. Amber tells us about her trip to New York City and joins us as we dive into Cherpter 22: "Stabbed in the Dark." The hurricane is closing in on Alexander Hamilton and in addition to seeing more hatred from Thomas Jefferson aka Regina George, we also get a small glimpse into Ham's rivalry with Aaron Burr (sir). But mostly, we learn about how the haters tried to bring Hamilton down but he always seemed to come out on the up and up... for now.  Our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/TheHamilcast Notes for Chapter 22: http://www.thehamilcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Chapter-22-Stabbed-in-the-Dark.pdf Amber's first appearance on The Hamilcast: http://www.thehamilcast.com/episode-57-she-plants-seeds-in-the-ground-she-creates/ Broadway Goes Pop! Facebook group for buying Amber's pops: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BroadwayGoesPop/      

Shockwave is back again this week and gives us a beatbox lesson! We had so much fun and we hope you'll try to learn along with us while you listen. Shock was also kind enough to bring some old school Hamilton goodies from 2012 and tells us about his experience coming full circle with the show.  www.shockwavebeatbox.com   Shock And Awesome Lacamoire – The Room Where it *Happens* http://headgum.com/episode/lacamoire-the-room-where-it-happens/   Shock And Awesome Lin-Manuel Miranda – Freestyle Smoothies http://headgum.com/episode/lin-manuel-miranda-freestyle-smoothies/   Lin-Manuel Miranda at Lincoln Center’s American Songbook in 2012:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OByswSEL-RA  

Beatboxer extraordinaire Shockwave hangs out this week and we enjoy some lovely conversation over a custom-made Shocktail. Want to know about his work on "An Open Letter" on The Hamilton Mixtape? Done. Curious how he got involved with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Freestyle Love Supreme? Look no further. Wondering about Shock's origin story and the details on how he figured out he's a fantastic beatboxer? You got it. Enjoy! www.shockwavebeatbox.com   An Open Letter (feat. Shockwave): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS1cSAWsy94   HAMILTON Ham4Ham 8/28/15 with Shockwave of Freestyle Love Supreme:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=605NNhgl2U0   In The Heights Flow with Lin and Shock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK8T29ePODc For more go here: http://offbook.com/linandshock   Freestyle Love Supreme Opening Number (Gramercy Theatre 7/26/12): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzEyIHI9VIs   Bossy 'r' - Shock & Lin-Manuel Miranda (The Electric Company) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUn8rlC2BWg  

The kiki continues, y'all! Javier Muñoz is still hanging out and we're joined by listener favorite Ashley Graffeo! This week we're getting into Javi's activism, how he deals with haters and trolls on Twitter, and we rewiiiind to the beauty of Javi's Cafecito! From the days of the Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton! And yes, we still reference *NSYNC and Destiny's Child and take even more questions from our Patreon Supporters! It's fun.  PS: For reference, here is the question Ashley's student asked Javi: “I just want to say that I really enjoyed your performance of Hamilton, which I was lucky enough to see, and my question is: so many roles on Broadway are dedicated to people who don’t look like us, so… did you always want to be on Broadway and did you ever imagine yourself playing a role like this?"  

Javier Muñoz is here! Yes, for real! This episode is packed, you guys. We sip on the custom-made Tom Cat cocktail as Javi tells us about his relationship with Lin-Manuel Miranda starting with In the Heights and how that impacts his experience in Hamilton, the importance of connecting with every cast member on stage, and his favorite parts of playing Hamilton. We also talk Harry Potter and reminisce about the 90s because of course.   "Praying for Time" by George Michael: https://youtu.be/goroyZbVdlo    

Eliza Ohman, Hamilton's universal swing, takes time out of her insanely busy schedule to chat with us and we are so happy she did because we had a blast. As a universal swing, Eliza performs with every production of Hamilton: Broadway, #HamiltonCHI, and #HamiltonSF/#Hamiltour. IT IS INSANE. Get ready to have your mind blown as Eliza tells us how tracks are different depending on the production, how grateful she is to be able to see so many different actors portray such wonderful roles, and what it was like working with Tom Hanks and Justin Bieber in Carly Rae Jepsen's "I Really Like You" video on the coldest day of all time.   

Nik Walker is back for another round and this time he goes into the details of playing both Aaron Burr and George Washington on Broadway, the complexities of both men, and how going back to the text impacts his performance each night. Nik tells also us about past and future projects he's working on, and his passion for bringing a different type of storytelling to the stage.     

Nik Walker hung out with us and we're so excited to welcome our first George Washington to the podcast! Nik also plays Aaron Burr and Mulligan/Madison, NBD. Remember Michael Luwoye's Waldo prank? Nik was the victim and we tell you all about how we were 100% in on it and helped make it happen. As we sip the custom-tailored The Dark Knight Rises Up cocktail, Nik tells us about joining the Broadway cast of Hamilton, how fun it is to work with so many of his closest friends, and declares a prank war on Michael Luwoye. 

J. Quinton Johnson is back and in part two of his chat with us we learn all about what it's like to play Hercules Mulligan/James Madison and why Q makes the acting choices that he does. Q also opens up about how much music means to him and the ways it has enriched his life. 

That's right, HERCULES MULLIGAN! We had so much fun talking to J. Quinton Johnson who is currently playing Hercules Mulligan/James Madison in Hamilton on Broadway. Q is awesome for many reasons, but one of them is because he is a full on Hamilnerd just like us. In the first half of our chat, Q geeks out over Lin Manuel Miranda's musical isms, talks about his love for Christopher Jackson, and tells an Andy Blankenbuehler story that will blow your mind. 

Amber Kempter joins us to talk about how she's joined the many artists making custom Funko Pop figures of pop culture and Broadway characters, including Hamilton. Amber also blew us both away by sending us not only Mulligan & Lafayette pops, but custom pops OF OURSELVES!

Hamilton swing extraordinaire Karla Garcia is on the podcast this week and we get into more of that #SwingLife. We learn about the cast nicknames for roles (The Dead Mother track, anyone?), what it was like to choreograph and win Gypsy of the Year 2016, and how Karla is totally on that Andy Blankenbuehler path.    Hamilton performs “America” - Gypsy of the Year 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJf3YQoknn8 Credit: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS/YouTube Digital #Ham4Ham 2/27/16 -- The Taglish Commandments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poroeR2bBf4 Credit: Hamilton: An American Musical/YouTube Hamilton Ham4Ham 11/11/15 with Lea Salonga & Lin-Manuel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6CwjP2urAU Credit: Howard Sherman/YouTube

Lexi Lawson is back and you are not ready for the emotional journey that is the second half of our conversation with her. Why? Because Lexi walks us through what Eliza is feeling throughout the entire show: from meeting Alexander to the very last moment she is on stage. Lexi goes IN and yes, we cried. But don't worry! We balance it out with a Green Day singalong, Lexi's time with Rent and In The Heights, and how Lin-Manuel Miranda is "a walking sweet genius."

Lexi Lawson, currently playing Eliza in Hamilton on Broadway, spent her night off with us and we are so excited she did. In the first part of our conversation Lexi tells us how straight up manifested getting cast in Hamilton (seriously, she turned down other jobs before she even auditioned for Eliza), all the months of work she put into preparing for her audition, and why she cannot under any circumstances listen to The Hamilton Mixtape. Werk!

Jevon McFerrin is back for round two! In the second half of our chat with him he talks about his strong bond with the cast and the nuances of his takes on Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, while also getting into the mindset of Alexander Hamilton during the final duel. Oh, and most importantly, Jevon gives us a crash course on how to master Lafayette's rap in "Guns and Ships."

Jevon McFerrin joins us three days after he went on as Hamilton for the first time and helps us celebrate our one year anniversary! In Part One of our interview with him, Jevon walks us through his tumultuous audition process, why he ran into Central Park in celebrate booking multiple roles in Hamilton, and what it was like to sing "Dear Theodosia" to his dad. 

In Part Two of our interview with Michael Luwoye, we hear some behind the scenes Hamilton stories including backstage pranks, being surprised onstage, and how Javier Munoz almost played King George III. Fascinated by Michael's voice? Us too! He tells us why he takes being as clear as possible so seriously, especially with Hamilton. Michael also talks about his time in Invisible Thread and blows us both away by saying some very lovely things about what The Hamilcast means to the Hamilfan community.    Track at the 5:30 mark is "No Regrets" by Aesop Rock. Album: Labor Days. Label: Definitive Jux.

Hello! Have you heard about @HappyBdayLin? Alicia, one of the creators of the fundraising campaign, sent us a message that we wanted to share with you. They are trying to raise money to not only help the wonderful Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, but it's also in the spirit of wishing Lin-Manuel Miranda a happy birthday. Even TeeRico is involved! I'll let Alicia tell it...