Alright, dear listeners, get ready for an absolutely bananas episode of The Hamilcast. Fergie L. Philippe, my lovely friend, is rounding out his big return to the podcast aka our booze-fueled lovefest. This week, Fergie dives more into his experience with Camelot on Broadway: his audition process, his stage combat experiences, and his big dream of bringing the lost Muppets in Camelot idea to life. Plus, Fergie goes in on why Sweeney Todd is his favorite show of all time and his ultimate dream ro...
Sep 18, 2023•57 min•Ep. 385
Fergie L. Philippe is back for another round this week and yes... I mean that both figuratively andddd literally. Choices were made by two very good and excitable ADHD-ridden friends, dear listener! In this episode, we tackle important issues such as the writer's strike, theater contracts, negotiations, and misconceptions about creative jobs. Fergie shares his personal journey with Hamilton, from identifying primarily with Mulligan in 2017 to fully embracing the vibe of Madison. We explore the n...
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 384
Note: These episodes are brought to you by Everclear and whiskey. Not an ad, just an admission. I'm thrilled to have my dear friend Fergie Philippe back on the podcast. Fergie is a multi-talented artist – an actor, writer, director, and puppeteer – who recently concluded his five-year run as Hamilton's Mulligan/Madison in February 2023. Starting from the Philip Tour and making his way to Broadway, Fergie considers these episodes as his post-mortem reflections on his time with the show. This week...
Sep 04, 2023•50 min•Ep. 383
Morgan Anita Wood is back for round two. After a bit of a scary start, Morgan was off and running with the And Peggy Tour and this week she talks about the tour leaving Puerto Rico and setting up shop in San Francisco. Morgan tells us about her experience with the Eliza Company and then coming back, or as she says, coming home to her And Peggy Company. She started as Woman 5, a role that is very close to her heart and led to some unbreakable bonds. But there was something about Eliza that really...
Aug 28, 2023•52 min•Ep. 382
Morgan Anita Wood is currently playing Eliza on the And Peggy Tour, and has been with Hamilton since 2018 when she started playing Woman 5. Morgan grew up in Indiana and was performing as young as three years old. She always had the passion for and the clarity about what she wanted to do at a very young age. She came from a family of creatives, performers, and what she calls "artistic minded people." Her determination led her to an internship at Telsey, one of the leading casting offices in the ...
Aug 21, 2023•46 min•Ep. 381
This week, Jason Arrow wraps up his three episode series. In his first two episodes, Jason told us about his life story thus far: he was born in South Africa, moved to Western Australia when he was about five years old, and first did theater as a teenager. His Hamilton story starts in 2019, and it's been so fun to hear about Jason's adventures with the show. He talked about the energy from the audience, especially during a time when the Australian production of Hamilton was the only one in the w...
Aug 14, 2023•39 min•Ep. 380
Jason Arrow has played Alexander Hamilton in Australia, New Zealand, and as of September 2023, he'll be in Manila in the Philippines in the Asian premiere for Hamilton. This week, Jason continues the story of his Hamilton journey: from hearing the audience erupt when he walked on stage for the very first time, to their last performance in Brisbane, and when Lin-Manuel Miranda finally (finally!) made it to Australia to see Hamilton. It was a long time coming but it was worth the wait and wait act...
Aug 07, 2023•41 min
Jason Arrow and I spoke in April 2023, right after he ended his run as Alexander Hamilton in Australia. Since recording, the company had a very limited run in New Zealand, and as of September 2023, Jason will be in Manila in the Philippines performing in the Asian premiere of Hamilton. Here's one of the many interesting thing about Jason: for a guy who first connected with Burr, he has a lot of Hamilton traits. Jason started doing theatre as a teenager, mostly just a hobby at first. He was doing...
Jul 31, 2023•40 min•Ep. 378
Tamar Greene (Hamilton Broadway's George Washington) is a classical trained pianist, an opera singer, a voice teacher, a founding member of Ham4Progress, and a guy who appreciates the revitalization that comes with embracing the unexpected. That's what his three episodes have been all about. Tamar started his career in music literally hiding behind a piano because it was easier on his stage fright. For years, he resisted accepting his vocal talent. So, he got a bachelor's degree in computer info...
Jul 24, 2023•50 min•Ep. 377
Tamar Greene (Hamilton Broadway's George Washington) talks about checking in with yourself to reassess and possibly change course, which can actually be very rejuvenating. In fact, that's what led him to musical theatre, from auditioning in stairwells to going out on tour and eventually landing on Broadway. Remember the guy who didn't think he could sing or make it professionally as a musician? Seems like a lifetime ago. And of course, we dive into his long history with Hamilton. He went from kn...
Jul 17, 2023•47 min•Ep. 376
Tamar Greene, Hamilton Broadway's current George Washington, returns to The Hamilcast! Tamar was first on the podcast back in 2019 when I saw Hamilton in Chicago and threw a big party recording with the cast. Those are episodes 181-185 if you're interested. That party was so much fun but it's hard to do a deep dive with someone in those recordings, so it's always nice to be able to sit down one on one and really get into it... and that's exactly what's happening with Tamar because he's been on a...
Jul 10, 2023•43 min•Ep. 375
Cristina is currently Hamilton Broadway's Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor, with over 20 years of experience and a lifetime of good taste in pretty much everything. So far we’ve talked about Hamilton, Shakespeare, temperamental fabrics, favorite silhouettes, clothes as self expression, boundaries of all kinds, backstage logistics, stage door stories, destroying the patriarchy… and we did it all referencing Mad Men, Damn Yankees, Taylor Swift, and 1994’s cult classic Reality Bites. This week, Cristi...
Jul 03, 2023•42 min•Ep. 374
Welcome to Cristina Lundy’s second episode! Cristina is Hamilton Broadway's Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor and this week we’re diving into what it means to work in wardrobe: Cristina explains how she got into the union, how she started working on Broadway, how she got the gig at Hamilton, and what it’s been like working at a show with a lot of power and a lot of influence. From hidden costume details, to why the wardrobe department is the heart of the building, (plus a well timed and under apprec...
Jun 26, 2023•46 min•Ep. 373
Cristina Lundy is currently Hamilton Broadway's Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor. Cristina has been doing theatre since she was ten years old, and started working in her costume shop in college. But she’s always been, as she says, “costuming herself” as a form of self expression. Cristina is also the artistic director of the New York Shakespeare Exchange, an independent Shakespeare company with a focus on inclusion and a mission to stop gatekeeping Shakespeare (even if you’re the one gatekeeping yo...
Jun 19, 2023•51 min•Ep. 372
Daniel Assetta is as determined as he is talented as he is ready to put in the work. It’s not surprising he landed his dream role of Samuel Seabury in the Original Australian company of Hamilton. That story is full circle, starting and ending in New York City. From performing for his family starting at a very young age, to performing all over the world in various roles, Daniel always knew exactly what he wanted to do and he never once apologized for it. And yeah, going viral on TikTok with incre...
Jun 12, 2023•40 min•Ep. 371
Daniel Assetta was the original Samuel Seabury in Australia (with the fun bonus of covering King George III), and in this episode you get to hear the story of how that happened. It started in New York City in 2016, took a turn in Australia in 2019, and then stopped cold in 2020 (ugh pandemic). It was a tumultuous time for countless reasons but it has a happy ending: not only did Daniel book Hamilton, but the Australia company was the first one back after lockdown. Daniel is telling me this from ...
Jun 05, 2023•39 min•Ep. 370
Welcome to the first of three episodes with Daniel Assetta, the original Samuel Seabury (and u/s King George III) in Hamilton’s Australian company. There’s a good chance you’ve seen Daniel before, either on stage around the world in one of his many roles, or… going viral on TikTok. Does the term "Cotton Eyed Joe Kid" mean anything to you? Daniel has millions of likes and views on his videos of old footage of him dancing as a child. Additionally, Daniel talks about how his lifelong love of perfor...
May 29, 2023•44 min•Ep. 369
REDCHILD (Mulligan/Madison in Germany) dives into his Hamilton story, which is a supremely unique experience. In fact, he still doesn't actually know what a musical theater audition feels like because he never really had one. He’s an MC, a producer, a musician, and not at all an actor… so how did this even happen? He’ll tell you all the details, but getting the gig has led to reflection on intention, representation, and the privilege he feels to be able to share his performance with people, espe...
May 22, 2023•50 min•Ep. 368
It was an honor to sit down with REDCHILD, an MC, musician, producer, and original Mulligan/Madison in Hamilton Germany (just don’t call him an actor). Red’s story starts in Berlin, growing up as a mixed race kid and never feeling accepted. That all changed once he made his way to rural Kansas, USA and lived there for a year as a teenager. REDCHILD went back to Germany inspired to create beats and music and make moves as an MC. He started his own jams, started booking gigs, and learned life less...
May 15, 2023•43 min•Ep. 367
DeAundre’ Woods (Alexander Hamilton, the And Peggy Tour) is back for round two talking about Legacy… and not just his incredible vocal group (just wait til you hear them), but what inspires him and his plans for the future. Dre’ also shows us some vocal tricks of the trade he picked up during his opera training, explains why he loves sharing his passion with others through teaching, and we revisit the theory about how doing what you love doesn’t actually mean you “never work a day in your life.”...
May 08, 2023•54 min•Ep. 366
DeAundre’ Woods, the And Peggy Tour’s Alexander Hamilton, joins me for two episodes! In part one, Dre’ tells me about going from being an opera-trained LSU Alum, to covering Hamilton/Burr/Laurens/Philip/Mulligan/Madison, to playing Hamilton full time. Plus, shared moments with Lin-Manuel Miranda onstage in Puerto Rico, the beauty of the domino effect, and what can happen when others see something in you that you don’t yet see in yourself. David’s Lamentation Backwards & Forwards: A Technical...
May 01, 2023•51 min•Ep. 365
Josh Mitchell from We Are Theatre and The Queendom shares stories on how he made a podcast through the COVID lockdowns about a show that never had a chance to open on Broadway, what goes into making your own way in the theatre world, his goals and plans for what comes next, and Josh takes questions from the Patreon Peeps. Josh on Instagram The Queendom on Instagram We Are Theatre The Queendom Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Pat...
Apr 24, 2023•49 min
Josh Mitchell of The Queendom and We Are Theatre podcasts joins The Hamilcast to talk about the culture of fandom, turning the love of one show into a community, making things you love, and his his history in the theater world that led him to making it all happen. Josh on Instagram The Queendom on Instagram We Are Theatre The Queendom Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps...
Apr 17, 2023•54 min
Part two of my conversation with Benét Monteiro, playing the role of Alexander from the German company of Hamilton, continues with stories from behind-the-scenes, tales of what it takes to work your way through the industry all over the world, his audition and rehearsal process, and so much more as Benét takes questions from the Patreon Peeps. Into The Woods Playing Heartbreak Benét on Instagram Benét on Spotify Benét in The New York Times Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on...
Apr 10, 2023•43 min
Germany’s A. Ham, Benét Monteiro, joins me on The Hamilcast to talk about life before Germany growing up in South America, his journey into musical theatre, the shows and roles that have inspired him along the way, and how he got to Germany to begin his professional career in the theatre. Benét on Instagram Benét on Spotify Benét in The New York Times Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps...
Apr 03, 2023•50 min
In the second half of my conversation with Trevor Dion Nicholas (London’s George Washington), we dive into the rest of his Hamilton story including standing firm in his desire to audition for GWash and only GWash. Plus, we talk politics and how and when to separate the art from the artist. Or, you know, separate the genius writings from the terrible person. Looking at you, Thomas Jefferson! We do take a short detour to share our love for artists like incubus, foo fighters, and Ben folds and then...
Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 360
Trevor Dion Nicholas is currently playing George Washington in the West End and he kindly took some time to chat with me for two episodes. This week, Trevor walks me through how his career took him from West Virginia to the UK, his experience working with James Monroe Iglehart while covering Genie on Broadway (and then originating the role in London, and the beginning of his Hamilton journey. Trevor on Instagram Trevor on Twitter Trevor on Facebook Neighborhood Goliath on Spotify Gillian on Twit...
Mar 20, 2023•45 min•Ep. 359
In the second half of our chat, Ashley LaLonde (cover for all three Schuyler Sisters, Maria Reynolds, and Woman 5 on Hamilton's Philip Tour) walks us through her final Hamilton audition during which she had both Covid *and* the flu. Yes, it's possible! Ashley also has a very special relationship with all three Angelica, Eliza, Peggy, and Maria so she talks about she she connects to all of these fascinating women. Plus, Ashley takes questions from the Patreon Peeps, and gets very personal about h...
Mar 13, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 358
Ashley LaLonde covers all three Schuyler Sisters, Maria Reynolds, and Woman 5 on the Philip Tour. Ashley’s Hamilton story is a total full circle moment with so many incredible stops along the way. As a born and raised New Yorker, Ashley saw and fell in love with Hamilton at The Public (thanks to Lin’s orthodontist, of all people!). She began singing Hamilton songs in her high school a cappella group and was determined to be in the show. Before being cast in Hamilton, Ashley did a quick stint at ...
Mar 06, 2023•53 min•Ep. 357
I hope you're ready to do a deep dive on Angelica like never before, because Ava Brennan returns for the second half of our chat and is about to change your LIFE! Ava walks us through booking Hamilton and then lets us in on her emotional journey to capture the heartbreak and sacrifice of Angelica Schuyler. That experience led her to Fantine in Les Miserables and Ava discusses the similarities, difficulties, and triumphs of both roles. The Hamilcast Goes to London Ava on Instagram Gillian on Twit...
Feb 27, 2023•54 min•Ep. 356