#421: Aisha Jawando // Angelica Schuyler in the UK/Ireland Company // Part One
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast
Aisha Jawando (Angelica Schuyler, the UK/Ireland tour of Hamilton) is on the pod! In this episode, she talks about her childhood, her training, and the start of her career, including why she (wrongly!) thought lead roles weren't in the realm of possibility for her. Plus, her side hustle of selling pre-loved jewelry, her connection to her Nigerian culture, and dealing with being on tour as a Black woman. ///
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#420: Zach Bravo // Swing on the Philip Tour // Part Three
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast
This week wraps up my chat with Zach Bravo, a swing on Hamilton’s Philip Tour. He talks about his experience as Rum Tum Tugger on the 40th Anniversary Tour of Cats and he candidly discusses his mental health. Zach is also taking questions from the Patreon Peeps talking about dream roles and superheroes, and Zach leaves us with some very, very inspirational final words. ///
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#419: Zach Bravo // Swing on the Philip Tour // Part Two
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast
Zach Bravo (Swing on Hamilton’s Philip Tour) is back and this week we’re talking about Zach’s amazing family, his experience at Pace University, and why he’ll always defend Spiderman: Turn off the Dark. Zach started off not wanting to listen to Hamilton before seeing it but like so many of us… he lost that battle. His first time listening to the album was euphoric and finally seeing the show was fantastic but he was intimidated by the choreography. Fun fact: as that was happening, his mother leaned over in the middle of the performance and said, “I can totally see you in this...
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#418: Zach Bravo // Swing on the Philip Tour // Part One
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast
Zach Bravo (Swing on Hamilton’s Philip Tour) is here! This week, Zach talks about growing up as a Puerto Rican only child in Queens whose whole life changed when he tagged along to his cousin’s dance class. Thanks to his incredibly supportive family Zach grew up training to do what he loves, from performing Aladdin Jr. to thriving at the famous LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in New York City. ///
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#417: Billy Nevers // Hamilton UK/Ireland: Lafayette/Jefferson // Part Three
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast
As I wrap up with Billy Nevers (Lafayette/Jefferson on the Hamilton UK/Ireland tour), we kick off with questions from the Patreon Peeps. Billy talks about coming to terms with and taking the power back from problematic founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson, describing the terrifying and exhilarating first moments of starting the show as Aaron Burr, the beautiful madness of being in a cast with so many of his dearest friends, and why we should all be watching every iteration of The Traitors. ///
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#416: Billy Nevers // Hamilton UK/Ireland: Lafayette/Jefferson // Part Two
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast
In his second episode, Billy Nevers (Lafayette/Jefferson on the UK/Ireland tour) talks about his extensive history with & Juliet, including working with the fantastic Bill Sherman and the prolific Max Martin. Billy also talks about how Legally Blonde was one of the best experiences of his life, how he booked Lafayette/Jefferson for the Hamilton tour, and tells me about the fateful phone call where he was asked a very loaded question: How do you feel about Aaron Burr? ///
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#415: Billy Nevers // Hamilton UK/Ireland: Lafayette/Jefferson // Part One
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast
Billy Nevers is currently in the UK/Ireland tour of Hamilton playing Lafayette/Jefferson. He’s also in the very rare position of being a principal who covers another principal - he’s the second standby for Aaron Burr, which is pretty unprecedented! Billy grew up in London in a very theatrical family, so he was surrounded by it from a super young age: music was always on, he was always going to see shows, his mom was a drama teacher. His talent and passion were undeniably there from the start but Billy learned early on about the gatekeeping people of color have to deal with when trying to...
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#414: Rubén J. Carbajal // Laurens/Philip on Broadway // Part Three
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast
Rubén J. Carbajal (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton on Broadway) is wrapping up his three episode series and we are kicking it off with his punk rock version of The Story of Tonight! Plus, he’s taking questions from the Patreon Peeps which includes (but is not limited to!) his favorite LA food spots, adjusting to the East Coast, living life “heart-forward”, his love of Spanish music, and punking Pitbull on MTV. Rubén recently made his Broadway debut as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton, but not before over 1,000 performances on the road including Los Angeles, San Francisco and...
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#413: Rubén J. Carbajal // Laurens/Philip on Broadway // Part Two
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast
Rubén J. Carbajal (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton on Broadway) is back for another round! This week, he talks about his multiple Hamilton auditions and explains his process: the flights, the preparation, the importance of always showing his personality, and the beauty of staying curious. Rubén talks about his experience on tour, the full circle moment of bringing Hamilton home to Los Angeles, and what it was like performing with Lin-Manuel Miranda in Puerto Rico. And then… Rubén thought he was done with Hamilton in 2022 but some time away, a writers’ strike, and a very supportive...
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#412: Rubén J. Carbajal // Laurens/Philip on Broadway // Part One
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast
Rubén J. Carbajal is finally on the podcast after all this time, but honestly, the timing could not have been better. Rubén recently made his Broadway debut as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton, but not before doing over one thousand performances across the country including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and performing alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda in Puerto Rico. Rubén has been performing since he was five years old, but it wasn’t until he did In the Heights for the first time that he felt truly connected to a role. He wants to do that show forever (that’s a quote) and so far he’s...
info_outlineA celebration of all the holiday classics, ’Twas The Night is a feel-good homage to the original poem, set in a world with security alarms, cell phones, and a little Christmas magic. Parents Ian and Margaret are having a serene Christmas night, their two children dreaming of sugar plums in the next room, when a series of noises and crashes cause concern that Margaret’s younger brother is playing a holiday prank. But who, really, arose such a clatter? In the end, the whole family remembers that it’s never too late to say what you mean and that the spirit of Christmas is stronger than ever.
Listeners of 'Twas the Night are encouraged to donate to The Actors Fund, supporting their mission of fostering stability and resiliency, and providing a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan.
Visit twasthenightplay.com for more information.
Credits
Aneesa Folds as Margaret
Michael Paul Smith as Ian
Nik Walker as Nick
Fergie L Philippe as Max
Lexi Garcia as Julie
James Monroe Iglehart as Santa
Christopher Jackson as Narrator
Eddy Lee as News Announcer, Dispatcher, more
Additional voices by
Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle
Written and directed by Michael Paul Smith
Production management by Leah Cornish for Mischief Media
Additional music provided by Matt Wilson Christmas Tree-O
Communications by Tori Bryan for Mischief Media
Graphics for 'Twas The Night by Jordan Edwards for Mischief Media
Website by Jenson Neal and Jordan Edwards
Produced by Mischief Media and Jenson Neal
Executive Producer Gillian Pensavalle
Special Thanks To:
Melissa Anelli, Founder and CEO of Mischief Media
SAG-AFTRA
The Actors Fund
The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone— performers and those behind the scenes—who works in performing arts and entertainment, serving more than 17,000 people annually. Programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and employment and training services. Visit www.actorsfund.org to learn more.