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The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast — Arts
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast

In this podcast about all things Hamilton, host Gillian Pensavalle speaks with guests, and sometimes co-host/all time husband Michael Paul Smith, about the innerworkings of the show, how it came together, what it takes to put on all around the world, finding Hamilton references in everyday life, and much more. The Hamilcast has played host to every member of the original creative team, aka “The Cabinet”, including repeat visits from Hamilton creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Hamilcast features interviews with cast members from every Hamilton tour, Broadway, and UK company–crew members, musicians, creatives, and the hard working people behind-the-scenes that keep the production alive. Plus: historians, super fans, celebrity Hamilton enthusiasts, and group cast recordings!

When I started this podcast in January of 2016, I could not have imagined the incredible community that has grown around the show and the amazing experiences that have come my way. Thank you to everyone who has listened, appeared on the show, contributed, or reached out in any way. This podcast is for you and I absolutely love making it.

If you have any great Ham stories or funny references that you’ve come across, let me know! Email TheHamilcast [at] gmail [dot] com, or contact me on social media @TheHamilcast. I also have a Patreon that has given rise to the loveliest corner of the internet, ever. You can learn more about how to be a part of that lovely corner, and how to submit questions to guests, and to be part of my monthly AMA’s at https://www.patreon.com/TheHamilcast

Latest Episodes:

#385: Fergie L. Philippe Returns! // Mulligan/Madison on Broadway and the Philip Tour // Part Three Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

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 role.

We round out this episode talking about ADHD, neurodiversity, the importance of therapy, more Hamilton discussion, and Fergie gives his expert opinion on how to plan the perfect Disney vacation.

It's been a blast hanging with Fergie for these episodes and I hope you had as much fun as we did.

Catch up with all things Fergie:

#107: We tell your story // Part One

#108: We tell your story // Part Two

#129: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part One

#300: James Monroe Iglehart and Friends Take Over the Podcast to Celebrate 300 Episodes!

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#384: Fergie L. Philippe Returns! // Mulligan/Madison on Broadway and the Philip Tour // Part Two Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

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 nuances of these characters, including Fergie's embodiment of both Hercules Mulligan and his slave, Cato, as well as the different dynamics between his Madison and various Jeffersons. And of course, this led us to a conversation about how the context of the show has evolved since 2016 and it will only continue to change as the world around us does the same.

Catch up with all things Fergie:

#107: We tell your story // Part One

#108: We tell your story // Part Two

#129: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part One

#300: James Monroe Iglehart and Friends Take Over the Podcast to Celebrate 300 Episodes!

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#383: Fergie L. Philippe Returns! // Mulligan/Madison on Broadway and the Philip Tour // Part One Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

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, Fergie delves into the experience of not just meeting but working with his heroes, which happened when he was cast as Lord Sagramore in the Broadway adaptation of Camelot by Aaron Sorkin. Fergie also opens up about his post-Hamilton life after Broadway, sharing stories about performing to the seat he once sat in as a fan, his last show that never happened, and how he knew it was the right time to move on.

Plus lots of love for the inimitable Philip company, the unbreakable friendships formed through Hamilton (both on and offstage) and the feeling that everyone is just getting started.

Fergie and I go way back and below you'll find all of his previous episodes on The Hamilcast:

#107: We tell your story // Part One

#108: We tell your story // Part Two

#129: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part One

#300: James Monroe Iglehart and Friends Take Over the Podcast to Celebrate 300 Episodes!

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#382: Morgan Anita Wood // Eliza on the And Peggy Tour // Part Two Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

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 made Morgan really wanted to tell that story eight times a week. Morgan has been through a lot with Eliza, and she explains her strong connection to the role, how it's healed her, and what she's learned from the woman whose strength and courage reminds Morgan of her own mom.

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#381: Morgan Anita Wood // Eliza on the And Peggy Tour // Part One Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

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 country and the office that casts Hamilton. There's an excellent chance they cast your favorite musical/play/movie/TV show/commercial/the list goes on. Morgan learned about the business as she crossed paths with people like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jonathan Groff and after months behind the scenes, she was confident and ready when her audition (at Telsey!) finally came. From that internship to ending up in the hospital the night of her Hamilton Puerto Rico debut, Morgan takes us on quite a journey.

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#380: Jason Arrow // Alexander Hamilton: Australia, New Zealand, Manila // Part Three Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

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 world happening. We laughed about the fun moments he's been able to find on stage and he reflected on what it was like for Lin-Manuel Miranda to see the Australian company for the very first time in 2023.

As we wrap up our conversation, we talk about Rage Against the Machine, the importance of First Nations actors on stage (and particularly in Hamilton), why Jason chose psychology books over a history lesson, and we compare Mario Kart preferences. But first, this episode starts with Jason talking more about his personal take on Alexander including how and why it changes and evolves.

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#379: Jason Arrow // Alexander Hamilton: Australia, New Zealand, Manila // Part Two Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

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 actually worked out in their favor!

Jason also talks about fun moments he's found as Hamilton and how they've evolved over time (hint: tom cat). Plus, you'll hear about Jason's love of gaming, his still very strong connection to Aaron Burr, and stories from the stage door.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Hamilton interview with Leigh Sales | In The Room: Full Episode | ABC TV + iview

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#378: Jason Arrow // Alexander Hamilton: Australia, New Zealand, Manila // Part One Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

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 community shows while studying computer science, graphic design, and film/tv theory. He realized very quickly that he belonged *in front* of the camera.

Jason went to the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and that's where he learned about this show called Hamilton. It sounded really incredible but he was very busy and didn't have the time to commit to falling in love with such a layered piece while still in school. And then 2020 came around and changed everything.

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#377: Tamar Greene // Hamilton Broadway's George Washington // Part Three Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

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 information systems but the music stuff was still nagging at him. On his way to class, he'd walk the halls of the music department, admiring the beautiful pianos and listening to other vocalists and thinking, "you know maybe I *could* make a living in music."

Tamar embraced everything he was interested in and now he's accepted that he can be passionate about all of it. Being in bands like Bitchin' Kitchen means he learned, as he says "the business of the business." - traveling, booking, splitting the door money with the band, all that stuff. A degree in computer information systems means that he could put on concerts during lockdown without worrying about the tech side of things. So I guess what I'm saying is that Tamar Greene knows what he's talking about and he also walks the walk so you should take what he says to heart.

This week, Tamar talks about performing orchestral versions of South Park Songs, his favorite SNOBs (Saturday Night on Broadway), leading with love, and he unexpectedly walks us through his Washington's mental and emotional arc leading up to One Last Time. Plus, Tamar talks about grappling with the colonizing slave owning history of the founding fathers, the power of a Black man playing George Washington, and how this ties into his role as an original member of Ham4Progress.

Orchestral Versions of South Park Songs

Mandy Gonzalez SNOB

Sweeney Todd SNOB

Jonas Kaufmann - Turandot, Atto III: "Nessun Dorma"

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#HamiltonCHI Episodes: Party in Chicago!

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#376: Tamar Greene // Hamilton Broadway's George Washington // Part Two #376: Tamar Greene // Hamilton Broadway's George Washington // Part Two Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

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 knowing nothing about the show and turning down tickets to see it, to winning the lottery and falling in love with it, then passing on a callback after years of auditions, to finally stepping into the role of Washington in Chicago and making the transition to Broadway. So get ready, because this week you're gonna hear about how Tamar made his way to acting on stage, something that has yet to come up in his long list of interests and career choices.

#HamiltonCHI Episodes: Party in Chicago!

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