The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

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:

#483: Tyler McKenzie // Hamilton Dance Captain and Universal Swing // Part Two Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Tyler McKenzie is back for round two! Tyler just wrapped up an eight year journey with Hamilton, starting as a swing on Broadway for six months and then spending the rest of his time as a Universal Swing and the Dance Captain of the Philip Tour. Make no mistake, Tyler was traveling all over the place, but as an original member of that now-famous (infamous?) Philip Company, "Philip will always be home."

This week, Tyler talks about embracing his role as a teacher and a leader, which is absolutely pivotal when you're the dance captain. His teaching philosophy is simple: he understands that every performer learns differently. It's simple, but it feels rare! Tyler rightfully sees his ability create a safe space as his superpower, and he explains how he loves allowing dancers to learn, question, grow, and be as authentic as possible.

It was wild to hear about how he was able to find all *kinds* of stability when his phone could ring at any moment telling him he needs to get on a plane tomorrow morning to dive headfirst into another COVID outbreak. No but seriously that happened ALL THE TIME. From marrying his husband Dallin to buying a home, Tyler explains how important it is to always remember that it's all still a business and you need to keep your eye on that, always.

With Tyler, the possibilities are endless, but there's at least one thing on his mind right now: "Who wants to Blacken up yoga?! Let's do it!"

Tyler on Instagram

http://www.tylermckenzie.net/

#106: I'm not falling behind or running late

#130: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Two

#131: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Three

///

Gillian's Website

The Hamilcast on Twitter

The Hamilcast on Instagram

Join the Patreon Peeps

#482: Tyler McKenzie // Hamilton Dance Captain and Universal Swing // Part One Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

Tyler McKenzie is back on the podcast! Tyler joined Hamilton Broadway in 2017 and only had one week off before starting rehearsals for the yet to be revealed Philip Company. He graciously spent his first night off with me, recording his first episode of The Hamilcast. Tyler would join me once again when Mike and I had a party with some members of the Philip Company in Vegas in 2018. Today, Tyler wanted to come back on the podcast to reflect on his eight year journey with Hamilton. We recorded this at the end of May 2025, just days before his final performance on tour... in Las Vegas.

Tyler went from Hamilton Broadway to an original member of Philip, and during his time on tour he went from a swing to a universal swing to being both a universal swing *and* the dance captain of the Philip company. So yes, there is a lot to unpack. Not to mention that during the COVID lockdown, Tyler worked as a professor at Penn State teaching dance and musical theatre, and using this platform to hire his fellow performers when they needed it most.

This week, Tyler reflects on his Hamilton journey from his initial audition process up through his final role as a teacher and a leader with the Hamilton crew, including flying all over the place "saving the day" when companies were dealing with COVID outbreaks in 2021. But as you'll learn, Tyler is an excellent leader and teacher. He's all about solutions and adapting to what is in front of him to get the best out of the situation.

Tyler on Instagram

http://www.tylermckenzie.net/

#106: I'm not falling behind or running late

#130: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Two

#131: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Three

///

Gillian's Website

The Hamilcast on Twitter

The Hamilcast on Instagram

Join the Patreon Peeps

A Special Announcement from Gillian + Lin-Manuel Miranda's First Appearance on the Pod (2017!) Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

The news is out! After nearly ten years and what will be 500 episodes, The Hamilcast will be coming to an end on January 26th, 2026, the podcast's official ten-year anniversary. While the community isn't going anywhere and the archive will always remain available, the weekly episodes you've come to expect will soon be wrapping up. Until then, this is going to be a PARTY. Let's celebrate this journey with memories, special events, plus a few repeat episodes to bring things full circle and look back on some extraordinary moments on the pod. While there is plenty of time to get emotional, I do want to make sure that I say I've loved making this show for you for all these years. Thank you for always being excited about things with me. It's been such a fantastic ride and I'm so happy to be celebrating with you.

As we kick off the final stretch of The Hamilcast, let's revisit when we fanned that spark into a flame, otherwise known as the time Lin-Manuel Miranda came over and ate popcorn with me and Mike for four hours while drinking a custom cocktail inspired by the bodegas of Washington Heights.

We're going back to October 2017, when Lin-Manuel Miranda himself first joined me on the podcast. It all started with a Twitter DM, which led to Lin visiting my tiny New York City apartment (slanted floors, whistling toilet, the works) to record one of the biggest conversations of my life. It was a monumental moment for me, for the podcast, and for the listeners. What followed became known as #Lintoberfest: five episodes filled with the excitement, stories, and rare audio from that unforgettable day.

Below you'll find today's relevant links including the rest of Lin's episodes, as well as the original description from when Episode 88 originally dropped in 2017.

Playbill Exclusive: After a Decade, The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast Will Drop Final Episode in 2026

Aaron Burr Panel at the South Street Seaport

/// Lin-Manuel Miranda on The Hamilcast (so far) ///

#88: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part One

#89: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Two

#90: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Three

#91: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Four // The B-Sides

#92: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Five // The B-Sides

#225: Lin-Manuel Miranda Returns! // Part One

#226: Lin-Manuel Miranda Returns! // Part Two

/// Original description and links from October 1st, 2017 ///

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:List of charities to donate to victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria Baker Ripley One America Appeal The Humane Society

Previous episodes referenced:Shockwave Part One Shockwave Part Two Mandy Gonzalez Ian Weinberger Part One Ian Weinberger Part Two

Episode Transcript

///

///

Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

#481: Desmond Sean Ellington // Hamilton Standby // Part Two Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Desmond Sean Ellington is back for round two to further show that if you have to chase something, it's probably not for you. This week, Desmond reflects on his five years touring with Hamilton as a standby and how he used what he learned making his Broadway debut in Hell's Kitchen (after starting with the show down at The Public).

As he continues to spread the Gospel of Surrender™, Desmond expands on his Hell's Kitchen experience including how and why he turned down a chance to go back to Hamilton (hint: Broadway was calling!). Desmond also talks about being a firm believer that we all have the power to create the world we want to live in, why his unconventional way of finding his passion continues the cycle of representation, and reminds us to stay kind because that's really what it's all about anyway.

Plus, Desmond walks us through going craaaazy viral with his "One Last Time" soundcheck (if you haven't heard it before GET READY it's so good), how seeing Satisfied for the first time made him want to shoot up out of his seat like a rocket, and lets us in on tiny Hamilton moments where he connected with his fellow actors on stage.

Desmond Sean Ellington on Instagram

///

Gillian's Website

The Hamilcast on Twitter

The Hamilcast on Instagram

Join the Patreon Peeps

#480: Desmond Sean Ellington // Hamilton Standby // Part One Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Desmond Sean Ellington spent five years on tour with Hamilton as a Standby and recently made his Broadway debut in Hell's Kitchen, after starting with the show down at The Public.

Desmond's story is so interesting because it's a case study in what can happen when you make the hard decision to leave something behind that you know deep down isn't meant for you - even if it's terrifying! In Desmond's case, he left college without a plan and even though he had no interest in theatre at the time, he always knew he "was going to be a star." Once he walked away from what didn't serve him, the whole world opened up. And to be fair, Desmond has an uncanny ability to speak what he wants into existence, like when he gave himself two years to be cast in Hamilton and found himself on tour with the show two months later.

From performing in Atlanta (shout out to The Alliance Theatre) to seeing the world as a background vocalist for renowned gospel/R&B recording artists, to being bit with the Broadway bug when he saw his first Broadway show at 33 years old, Desmond brings his life experiences to every creative thing he does.

Desmond Sean Ellington on Instagram

///

Gillian's Website

The Hamilcast on Twitter

The Hamilcast on Instagram

Join the Patreon Peeps

#479: Jeffrey Seller // Broadway Producer Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

Award-winning and prolific Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller has finally made it to the podcast! Jeffery has produced Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights, Hamilton, The Cher Show, and revivals of West Side Story and Sweeney Todd, just to name a few. Altogether his shows (currently) have 22 Tony Awards, and he's the only Broadway producer to have put up two Pulitzer Prize winning musicals: Hamilton and Rent.

Jeffrey is the author of Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir, which the New York Times describes as "a combination coming-of-age and rags-to-riches story that is unsparing in its description of his colorfully challenged-and-challenging father, unabashed in its description of his sexual awakening, and packed with behind-the-scenes detail, especially about the birth of Rent." Not to mention the audiobook is voiced by a stellar cast of Broadway voices, and talking about them gives Jeffrey an idea *in real time *during our recording.

In our hour-long conversation, Jeffrey expands on his experience producing Rent with Jonathan Larson, including an emotional retelling of what it was like working on the show after Jonathan's tragic and unexpected death. He also discusses working with Lin-Manuel Miranda on In the Heights and Hamilton, expounds on Hamilton's social and political responsibilities (rejecting the current administration's hostile takeover of The Kennedy Center, for example), discusses ways around Broadway's current ticket prices, and candidly opens up about Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party and The Last Ship with Sting in never-before-heard specificity.

Plus, Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme, the power of writing a letter to get what you want, and how when it comes down to it... it's all about making shows with your friends.

Jeffrey Seller on Instagram

JeffreySeller.com

///

Gillian's Website

The Hamilcast on Twitter

The Hamilcast on Instagram

Join the Patreon Peeps

#478: Nevin Steinberg // Hamilton Broadway's Sound Designer // Part Two Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

In Nevin Steinberg's second episode, the award winning Broadway sound designer gives even more insight to some of your favorite Hamilton moments including The Yorktown dance break and the stuttering gunshots heard throughout the show. And get ready to have your mind blown as Nevin shares the evolution of the Satisfied rewind, from Lin-Manuel Miranda's very first demo to the layered masterpiece we all know and love today anddddddd he shares a secret (and creepy! and awesome!) Easter egg that I promise you don't know about.

While taking questions from the Patreon Peeps, Nevin talks a lot about how each sound is specifically chosen to tell a story, and even accents like cannon explosions and snare drums each have "their own personality."

Plus, Nevin talks about the steam whistle in 2023's Sweeney Todd revival, shares his thoughts on new cinema sound, explains his fascination with what it takes to be a great leader, and why when it comes down to it Nevin is only in it for the banter.

Lin-Manuel Miranda on Soundcloud

The Town Hall in New York City

///

Gillian's Website

The Hamilcast on Twitter

The Hamilcast on Instagram

Join the Patreon Peeps

#477: Nevin Steinberg // Hamilton Broadway's Sound Designer // Part One Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Award winning sound designer Nevin Steinberg has made it to the pod! Nevin is such a captivating storyteller and everything he talks about is infused with gorgeous detail and a palpable feeling of both awe and gratitude. You know how they say "how can you not be romantic about baseball?" How can you not be romantic about sound design?! That's what I say, anyway.

In his first episode, Nevin walks us through his early career from working all night editing reel to reel tape with nothing but the ghost light and a healthy fear of the shadows (This is so fascinating and cinematic!! He can still taste the metal of the razor! That will make sense when you listen, I promise! I love it so much!) to dinner theatre and Sunset Boulevard and eventually a chance meeting on 42nd Street when he heard about a project called In the Heights.

Nevin has the most beautiful things to say about his experience working on Hamilton, including how it saved his career and reinstalled his faith in art and the people he gets to make it with.

Plus, Nevin explains audio details in songs like "Wait For It", "My Shot", "Yorktown", and "Satisfied" including how they changed from the workshops to what you hear on stage today (no matter where you see the show).

///

Gillian's Website

The Hamilcast on Twitter

The Hamilcast on Instagram

Join the Patreon Peeps

#476: Jonathan Dinklage // Hamilton Broadway's Concertmaster // Part Two Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

After a quick detour talking about the magic of Rush, Jonathan Dinklage is back for round two and we're diving into his Hamilton story. After participating in that reading he almost didn't go to, Jonny says it was all over for him. He knew Hamilton was phenomenal and now he gets to be a part of it. From working with Alex Lacamoire to perfect the material, to getting the now legendary group of musicians together, Jonny is still not over how awesome it is that he gets to do this for a living.

This week, Jonny talks about why the Hamilton arrangements are so perfect, what it was like playing with legends like Barbra Streisand and Lady Gaga, and explains why karaoke is just the best, especially when Paul Rudd is involved.

UPTOWN MAMAS: A BENEFIT FOR MOMS IN NEED Comes To The Green Room 42 In May

King Crimson - The Court of the Crimson King

One More Once - No Middle Ground

Jonathan Dinklage

///

Gillian's Website

The Hamilcast on Twitter

The Hamilcast on Instagram

Join the Patreon Peeps

#475: Jonathan Dinklage // Hamilton Broadway's Concertmaster // Part One Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Grab your Rush t-shirt and your record collection because Jonathan Dinklage, Hamilton Broadway's concertmaster, is here to blow your mind. He's one of the coolest dudes ever and has stories for days, so buckle up.

Concertmaster is a very fancy way of saying that he's the first violinist in the pit and he's the direct liaison between the musicians and the conductor. Jonny tries to downplay it (and yes, the term "concertmaster" sounds stuffy and has a lot of weight to it because it's from the 1870s) but it's a VERY important role. It's a gig he almost didn't take because when Alex Lacamoire called him to do a reading Jonny was like, "I don't know, man, a reading?" But Jonny heard something in Alex's voice that made him think that this was something he shouldn't pass up.

In addition to Hamilton, Jonny's a world class musician, arranger, composer, and producer. He's worked on Broadway for over 30 years - both in the pit and on original cast recordings, he has about a zillion film and tv credits, and he's played all over the world with legendary musicians, including and most importantly: Rush.

Imagine really, really loving a band for your entire life, spending hours rocking out in your living room (or in the woods with a boombox), fantasizing about being on stage with them, and then one day… there you are… on tour with your idols, ACTUALLY living out your dream. It is the coolest story and like most cool stories, Paul Rudd is involved.

Van Halen - Eruption

The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever

Rush - The Spirit of Radio

Rush - Limelight

Rush - La Villa Strangiato

Jonathan Dinklage

///

Gillian's Website

The Hamilcast on Twitter

The Hamilcast on Instagram

Join the Patreon Peeps

Related Podcasts