HUGE: The cast for the Australian version of Hamilton is here, and it’s just as diverse as you were hoping for.
In the titular role of Alexander Hamilton (played by creator and superstar Lin-Manuel Miranda in the original), is Jason Arrow, who most recently appeared in Disney’s Aladdin and is being tipped as the rising star of Australia’s musical scene.
Playing his rival Aaron Burr is Lyndon Watts, who also appeared on-stage in Disney’s Aladdin and whose list of credits includes Singin’ in the Rain, Anything Goes, and West Side Story.
Eliza Hamilton will be played by Chloé Zuel, Angelica Schuyler will be Akina Edmonds, and George Washington will be Matu Ngaropo.
In the role of French revolutionary Marquis de Lafayette will be Victory Ndukwe, who has some big shoes to fill after Daveed Diggs made a name for himself in the role by becoming the fastest rapper on Broadway. (Ndukwe will also be playing Thomas Jefferson.)
The only Caucasian actor in the entire cast is Brent Hill, who is of course playing King George III. (Will he spit quite as much as Jonathan Groff? You can only hope.)
Miranda and his creative team picked every single cast member, who are nearly entirely from Australia or New Zealand and include three people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander.
The cast of Hamilton Australia. #HamiltonAU pic.twitter.com/VbidaG7grk
— Michael Cassel Group (@michaelcassel) November 8, 2020
“I am incredibly excited by the cast we have assembled for the premiere of Hamilton in Australia,” Miranda said in a statement.
“While theatres around the world have been forced to temporarily shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken this time to bring together a truly incredible ensemble to tell this story. Led by Jason Arrow as Alexander Hamilton, this cast has such incredible talent, warmth and power. I know they will thrill and move audiences in Sydney when it’s safe to return.”
Orchestrations / Co-Arranger Alex Lacamoire said he was stoked they found talent able to nail the “specialised kind of dexterity” to execute this one-of-a-kind musical.
Hamilton is set to open at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on March 17, 2021. Due to “unprecedented demand” for tickets, additional performances will go on sale at 10am Friday 13 November, a.k.a. this Friday. Mark your calendars.
A filmed version of the musical might have been released by Disney+ this year, but nothing compares to seeing a performance like this in the flesh.
