Producer Jeffery Seller and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County presents the Broadway hit musical Hamilton through March 15.
Hamilton is the story of America’s Founding Father 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. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton is the story of America then, as told by America now.
With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.
The Hamilton creative team previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award-Winning Best Musical In the Heights.
Hamilton features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, casting by Telsey + Company, Bethany Knox, CSA, and General Management by Baseline Theatrical.
The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman and The Public Theater.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Bryson Bruce who plays Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson for this exclusive Hotspots interview:
At what age did you begin performing and how did it happen?
I started performing when I was about 6 or 7. I had a lot of energy as a kid and my mom decided to enroll me in dance class with my sister. In the same building as the dance class, there was an acting class upstairs and that’s what I gravitated to.
What was your first professional role that paid you any amount of money?
Around age 8, I did a commercial for a Bug Life coming out on VHS.
How did you get cast in Hamilton?
I had loved the musical and just about had it memorized, and I got an appointment to audition. It seemed like it was the perfect time for me to audition as I was ready willing and able. I guess I was in the right place at the right time, as I auditioned once and then got cast 3 weeks later.
Is there pressure to be in such a hyped up show and to be playing such a well-known character?
Of course! This is my first equity show, so I already felt the pressure to reach a new caliber of performance and being in such a popular show it made the pressure more; especially for these 2 roles. It’s a challenge for me to bring everything I have to each performance.
Other than this role, what has been your favorite to play?
It would have been my first musical role, my freshman year in high school. I played Flick in Violet which was the lead male role. It was the first time I sang in front of people. It was a lot of fun to put acting together with singing for the first time.
What is your fantasy role?
The first thing that comes to mind is Fiyero from Wicked.
What should our readers expect from this production of Hamilton?
They can expect a show that once it starts it does not stop! However, it’s a great ride and it tells the story of Hamilton but not in a way you would have heard it in History class. It’s about young adults that are trying to start a whole new nation, and it’s a pretty unbelievable show! .
For more information on Bryson, follow him: Instagram.com/Brysontosaurus
Tickets for Hmailton at the Arsht center, which range from $79 to $199* with a select number of $399* premium seats available for all performances, are available at Arshtcenter.org and in person at the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Ziff Ballet Opera House Box Office (1300 Biscayne Blvd). there will be a lottery for forty (40) $10 seats for all performances
For information on Hamilton, visit: HamiltonMusical.com
