Javier Muñoz Takes Over for Lin-Manuel Miranda in Broadway's Hamilton
(© Walter McBride)
Hamilton's Javier Muñoz, who has served as standby for Alexander Hamilton since the earliest days of the production, will officially take over the role from the show's creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, beginning today. Miranda played his final performance at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on July 9.
As was recently announced, today will also mark the first performances for Lexi Lawson (In the Heights national tour), who replaces Tony nominee Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton, and Michael Luwoye (Invisible Thread), who will step into Muñoz's role as Hamilton alternate. Beginning mid-August, two-time Tony Award nominee Brandon Victor Dixon (Shuffle Along) will replace Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr. Soo and Odom also played their final performances on July 9.
Directed by Tony winner Thomas Kail and inspired by Ron Chernow's biography Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton explores the life of the American founding father and first Secretary of the Treasury, as well as his experiences as an orphan of the British West Indies who immigrated to the 13 Colonies and helped shape the United States of America.
Hamilton features Tony-winning choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, as well as Tony-winning orchestrations, costumes, and lighting design by Alex Lacamoire, Paul Tazewell, and Howell Binkley. The set is designed by Tony nominee David Korins.
Muñoz, who also served as Miranda's standby during the show's off-Broadway Public Theater run, is known for having replaced Miranda in the lead role of Usnavi in Miranda's other Tony-winning musical, In the Heights.
