Hamilton is getting a new Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. Who better to play the dual role than one magical Genie? Original Aladdin cast member James Monroe Iglehart will retire his Genie lamp and move into the room where it all began. Iglehart will play his final performance as the Genie on February 19 of this year. His Understudy, Deonte L. Warren, will be making his Broadway debut as the Genie. Although no official date has been set, Iglehart will begin his Hamilton run later this April. Iglehart’s departure from the show came right after finding out about co-star and original Aladdin Adam Jacobs will be leaving and headlining the first North American Tour of the show.
In other Hamilton news, Saturday Night Live Veteran and showrunner Taran Killam made his Broadway debut in the show on January 19> in the role of King George. Today Show host Al Roker went to the theater and went behind the scenes with Taran about what goes on.
Check out the video below:
Roker visits Killam in his dressing room as he prepares for his first performance in the role. You get to see how Killam gets in the mood for the role from his British accent to wig fittings and even lets Roker wear his robe.
Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. The musical tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbueher and music direction/orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, the show has become an overnight sensation and a must see for all Broadway viewers.
What are you most excited about seeing in the Hamilton casting? Let us know in the comments below.
