The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast

Carvens Lissaint (Washington, Burr, Lafayette/Jefferson in Hamilton on Broadway) is back! This week, Carvens goes in on the backlash he received after having a poem go viral, the logistical differences between Washington and Burr, the beginnings of his Black Velvet persona, and the importance of being authentic. Journal to Journey: http://urbanwordnyc.org/journal-to-journey/ Urban Word: http://www.urbanwordnyc.org/ hispanicfederation.org/donate    

Carvens Lissaint is an excellent human and an award-winning poet. He is also covering Washington, Burr, and Lafayette/Jefferson in Hamilton on Broadway. The Carvens Origin Story is INSANE. The Carvens Hamilton Origin Story is EVEN MORE INSANE. Carvens talks about how In The Heights changed his life (Lin came out during intermission during In The Heights to chat with him - which would NEVER happen now), his experience growing up in Harlem with Haitian parents, and how he literally had a Hamilton in his bank account before he booked Hamilton on Broadway. Urban Dove: http://www.urbandove.org/ Urban Word: http://www.urbanwordnyc.org/ Brave New Voices slam champion Joshua Bennett performs "Tamaraʼs Opus at the White House Evening of Poetry, Music, and the Spoken Word on May 12, 2009: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U5BwD8zOeM   hispanicfederation.org/donate    

Anna-Lee Craig is back again this week and if you don't think she's the coolest, just you wait until you listen to this episode: ALC talks about being a badass lady in a field that has traditionally been dominated by men. We also talk about the hardest Hamilton tracks to mix, and how the cast and crew are Hamilton super fans - just like us!

Get ready to become OBSESSED with Anna-Lee Craig, one of Hamilton Broadway's team of groundbreaking sound experts. Anna-Lee's official title is A2/Assistant Sound, but I've also added Badass Lady because she is awesome. Having been with Hamilton since The Public, Anna-Lee knows how to make each and every performance sound its best. I mean, she came up with a special microphone design the crew calls the ALC Special. Does it get any cooler than that? Oh - one more thing - Anna-Lee invited me to watch the show from her sound console WHICH I WILL NEVER GET OVER, EVER! But having watch her mix a performance, I can tell you that what she does is nothing less than sorcery. Lezgo!

Our last week of #Lintoberfest starts out with some exciting news courtesy of Alex Lacamoire and Tommy Kail from all the way across the sea... and it is BANANAS! In Part Two of the B-Sides, Mike and I share more cut audio with Lin-Manuel Miranda, take questions from the Patreon Peeps, and reflect on the insanity of the last few weeks.    To help Puerto Rico: https://hispanicfederation.org/donate https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWVJYaFlGP5hP   Donate to disaster relief: http://www.businessinsider.com/best-charities-to-help-hurricane-victims-harvey-irma-maria-2017-9 https://www.bakerripley.org/get-involved/donate https://www.oneamericaappeal.org/ https://secure.humanesociety.org  

Welcome to The Lin B-Sides! Mike is joining me as I play cut audio from #Lintoberfest and give you behind the scenes commentary about what it was like recording with Lin-Manuel Miranda. And guess what? We have so many details to share with you that there will be TWO B-Sides, meaning you'll have FIVE Lin-Manuel Miranda episodes. Enjoy!   To help Puerto Rico: https://hispanicfederation.org/donate https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWVJYaFlGP5hP   Donate to disaster relief: http://www.businessinsider.com/best-charities-to-help-hurricane-victims-harvey-irma-maria-2017-9 https://www.bakerripley.org/get-involved/donate https://www.oneamericaappeal.org/ https://secure.humanesociety.org   Irish Bat Dad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47pjisXzb_c   Freestyle Love Supreme improvise about Broadway at Sirius XM Live on Broadway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuCOe5mshLw&feature=youtu.be  

Lin-Manuel Miranda is back for another round and #Lintoberfest Part Three is our most emotional episode yet; Lin goes IN on "It's Quiet Uptown" as well as his thoughts on legacies and what he says is truly beautiful. But don't worry, there's balance! We also talk King George III, Moana, if and when the audience is allowed to sing along during parts of Hamilton, and Lin gives advice to writers and creative people. Stay tuned for next week for Part Four aka The Lin B-Sides, where you'll hear audio from the cutting room floor along with commentary from me and Mike. Keep sending those #popcornchomp photos!   To help Puerto Rico: https://hispanicfederation.org/donate https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWVJYaFlGP5hP   Donate to disaster relief: http://www.businessinsider.com/best-charities-to-help-hurricane-victims-harvey-irma-maria-2017-9 https://www.bakerripley.org/get-involved/donate https://www.oneamericaappeal.org/ https://secure.humanesociety.org Previous episodes referenced: ht

Welcome to Part Two of a five part series featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda! I am once again joined by my husband Mike and this episode focuses a LOT on music, so prepare to have your mind blown. Lin tries to teach me how to freestyle (it doesn't go well), we talk about Freestyle Love Supreme, Lin plays a "Meet Me Inside" demo, and answers questions from the Patreon Peeps. We also talk Hamilton memes, inside jokes from the days at The Public, and more. PS: Don't forget to send me your photos of listening to #Lintoberfest with your own popcorn using either #Lintoberfest or #popcornchomp!   To help Puerto Rico: https://hispanicfederation.org/donate https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWVJYaFlGP5hP   Donate to disaster relief: http://www.businessinsider.com/best-charities-to-help-hurricane-victims-harvey-irma-maria-2017-9 https://www.bakerripley.org/get-involved/donate https://www.oneamericaappeal.org/ https://secure.humanesociety.org Previous episodes referenced: http://www.thehamilcast

Lin-Manuel Miranda came over to my apartment and we had so much fun that I have FIVE episodes for you! Welcome to #Lintoberfest, with my husband Michael Paul Smith joining me for these episodes. In Part One, I try to get over the fact that Lin is recording in my living room - spoiler! I don't! - But regardless, we tell the story of how Lin ended up on the podcast, details of the early days of Hamilton, why Lin is a Hamilton/Burr hybrid, and quote The West Wing a LOT. We also eat popcorn and drink the Spark Into a Flame cocktail, made especially for Lin and inspired by his Inwood, NYC roots. Stay tuned for four more episodes: two more with Lin and then the Lin B-Sides which will be outtakes, non-sequiturs, and commentary by me and Mike (you know Mike). And no, I'm still not over the fact that this happened! No chill whatsoever! To help Puerto Rico: https://hispanicfederation.org/donate Donate to disaster relief: http://www.businessinsider.com/best-charities-to-help-hurricane-victims-harvey-irma-maria-2017-9

All hail Queen Lesli Margherita (Matilda, Dames at Sea)! Lesli is Broadway royalty and also human royalty because she rules her own kingdom, you guys. Get inspired as Lesli talks all about what it means to rule your kingdom and how can make it happen. And, duh, we talk all about Hamilton! Lesli gets super emotional reminiscing about seeing Hamilton for the first time and conversations with her friends and to Hamilton OGs Leslie Odom, Jr., Betsey Struxness, and Thayne Jasperson when they first started their crazy journey into what can only be described as Broadway's version of Beatlemania. Oh and we laugh a lot and drink wine out of GOBLETS! 

Lauren Boyd is truly delightful, especially on a rainy day in New York City. Hamilton Broadway's Woman 1 and Peggy/Maria stopped by to chat Hamilton's LA opening, details about her roles (like how Woman 1 is Martha Washington and her insights into Maria Reynolds), why stagedooring is so important to her, and how she handles those occasional bad days we all deal with.

Hear ye, hear ye! His name is Thayne Jasperson and he originated the role of Samuel Seabury in Hamilton! Yep, you read that right; Thayne. Jasperson. is on. the podcast. And the word of the day is FERVOR. Get ready for a full hour of #SeaburysFreeThoughts. Thayne really is as kind, energetic, and hilarious as he seems. In this super rapid fire and fun episode, we are all over the place and it is the best ever. Thayne talks about the details he added to Samuel Seabury before Hamilton moved to Broadway (plus changes that have since been cut from the show), his love of King George III, how he messes with his fellow cast members on stage, why his faith is so important to him, and explains his cookie addiction. We also talk a lot about ghosts, nudity (are you okay? take a few deep breaths!), and Thayne breaks out more than a few accents.    Thayne's #FreeSpeech video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNIZ-v4xlwA  Credit: The Oratory Laboratory

Ian Weinberger is back for another episode and you should probably be sitting down while you listen to this one... we turn our attention to the keyboard and YOU. ARE. NOT. READY. Ian plays us mind-blowing musical motifs from Hamilton, and we come to that conclusion that Alex Lacamoire really just can't help himself when it comes to being a genius. In other words, #LacsGonnaLac. We also do impressions of characters from The West Wing because of course we do. 

Ian Weinberger, the Associate Musical Director of Hamilton on Broadway, is going to BLOW US ALL AWAY. Ian conducts the show, plays keyboard in the pit, and happens to be one of the nicest people on the planet. In this first episode, Ian tells us how he got involved in Hamilton (Dear Evan Hansen is involved), confirms that Alex Lacamoire and Kurt Crowley are as nice as they are brilliant, and explains the musician's version of #BurrsCorner.  Oh, did I mention there's a keyboard involved? Thank you Gregory Treco for telling me to get a keyboard for this recording and thank you Tyler Mount for making that happen.   

Raise a glass, friends! Welcome to another Emergency Podcast System. This week, Mike (you know Mike) and our friend and history enthusiast Ted O'Gorman help me recap August 12th's #HamiltonHappyHour, which was Ted's introduction to Hamilton and the Hamilton community. In case you missed it, Patrick Hinds of the Theater People Podcast, Broadway Backstory, and True Crime Obsessed hopped behind the bar with me and we hosted the #HamFam and sang the entire Hamilton cast album in New York City, the greatest city in the world. We had the best time and raised a ton of money for charity. It was also a much needed night of love, support, and community after the country endured what Mike described as a "James Reynolds kinda week." After the Happy Hour, Ted went home and re-listened to the entire album so we also talk about his first impressions of Hamilton (spoiler: he loved it) and get super nerdy about history pop culture with things like 1776 and The West Wing. PS: #HamiltonHappyHour is now a thing and Patrick and I

Bryan Terrell Clark (George Washington in Hamilton on Broadway) was kind enough to invite me to his dressing room to hang out on a very busy two show day! Spoiler alert: things get real emotional real quick as BTC tells me about how his first time singing "One Last Time" was when President Barack Obama was giving his Farewell Speech in Chicago. Bryan gives beautiful insight to GDubbs, explains why he could never be a swing/cover/understudy (but why he has the utmost respect for them!), and how he keeps himself G.Wash-ready.  President Barack Obama's Farewell Speech Bryan's t-shirt company inDEFINED

James Monroe Iglehart is a kind, funny, generous, amazing bolt of energy and I am so proud to say that he is my guest this week. Fan favorite Ashley Graffeo is my co-host, making this episode extra special. James told us what it's like to play Lafayette/Jefferson in Hamilton on Broadway, how the role compares to his Tony winning portrayal of Genie in Aladdin, meeting the Freestyle Love Supreme crew, the wonderful night that was The American Songbook performance at Lincoln Center (he played Hercules Mulligan!), and he even gives us a never-before-heard Burr's Corner. Plus, we talk about The Muppets, The Blues Brothers, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and more!    James Iglehart sings "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZZjphU6hV0   Live at Feinstein's/54 Below: James Monroe Iglehart Sings "When You Wish Upon a Star" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY3ABsBsqG0   Lin-Manuel Miranda and James Monroe Iglehart sing “My Shot” at Lincoln Center’s American Songbook in 2012 https://www.yout

Universal Swing Hope Endrenyi stops by and we had so much fun! Hope tells us how booking Hamilton was full of surprises, what it's like traveling between all three companies (the word "vagabond" was used), and why she loves the Sons of Liberty. Plus, Hope gives us excellent tips on what we can do to help the environment and how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. 

Kimberly "Kimmie" Mark was gracious enough to invite me to the Richard Rodgers Theatre to tell me all about what it's like to be what is known as a Star Dresser on Broadway for 19 years, dressing stars like Alan Cumming, Raul Esparza, and Leslie Odom Jr. (who brought her to Hamilton). Currently, Kimmie dresses George Washington and Aaron Burr and is easily one of the nicest, coolest people in the world. Take a listen and learn all about how Kimmie became a dresser, tons of behind-the-scenes details about Hamilton, why being assigned to Leslie Odom Jr. was a "dream come true," and how she hasn't actually SEEN Hamilton. Information on how you can win Hamilton props and autographs through The NJ Freedom Farm raffles:  https://www.instagram.com/dunkinscout/ https://www.facebook.com/freedomfarmanimalrescue/?ref=br_rs https://www.facebook.com/Freedom-Farm-Fairy-157992421405102/?ref=br_rs https://www.instagram.com/freedomfarm_animalrescue/ https://www.gofundme.com/NJFFAR  

Calling all #FearlessSquad members (aka #SquadKicks): We have the one and only Mandy Gonzalez on the podcast this week! Mandy talks all things #FearlessSquad, what it's like playing Angelica in Hamilton on Broadway, her experience as Nina in In The Heights, the importance of having a fight within you, and why the world is a better place with Lin-Manuel Miranda in it. You will feel so motivated by the end of thisHamilton, Broadway, American History, Musical, Mandy Gonzalez, Fearless Squad, In the Heights episode! Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mandy Gonzalez perform "Empire State of Mind" at Lincoln Center for "The Hamilton Mixtape"/American Songbook "30/90" from Tick, Tick...Boom! "Breathe" from In The Heights