Leslie Odom Jr. Returns to “Hamilton”
Fans are really hoping for something special this fall.
Leslie Odom Jr. is back as Aaron Burr in “Hamilton,” starting September 9th. His run will now extend through November 26th, which is pretty exciting.
Jeffrey Seller, a well-known producer of the musical, shared that, “Demand has gone through the stratosphere.” He praised Odom as one of the most remarkable musical theater actors of our time.
Interestingly, his return coincides with the 10th anniversary of the musical’s Broadway opening, which initially took place on August 6, 2015, after previews in July. The entire engagement of Odom’s performances is completely sold out, according to various ticket platforms.
Odom first brought Aaron Burr to life alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Alexander Hamilton. The show’s music and lyrics are all written by Miranda. “Hamilton” took home 11 Tony Awards in 2016, including accolades for best musical, and Odom himself won for best actor in a musical.
Seller commented on the original cast’s brief tenure, stating, “I think there was something left on the table.” He reflected on how Odom and Burr have evolved since their first appearance, suggesting that audiences are curious about their journeys since.
After leaving “Hamilton” in 2016 alongside Miranda and Philippa Soo, Odom announced his return on the “Today” show back in April. During that appearance, he got emotional mentioning his previous work with Seller, which started nearly two decades ago with “Rent.” Odom made his Broadway debut at just 17 in a Tony-winning musical.
He remarked to Savannah Guthrie, “You don’t get that opportunity to run a show like this more than once.” Odom’s return signifies a significant moment in his career, especially with standout performances in songs like “Wait For It” and “The Room Where It Happens.” Seller expressed his excitement by saying he felt privileged to witness Odom’s early performances, calling it a historic moment.
In addition to “Hamilton” and “Rent,” Seller has a notable history with shows like “Avenue Q” and the 2023 revival of “Sweeney Todd.” He also recently released his memoir titled “Theater Kid,” detailing his path from Detroit to becoming a celebrated producer.
Odom is not just known for his stage work; he has also appeared in films like “Glass Onion” and “Harriet,” and returned to Broadway in 2023 with “Purlie Victorious,” earning a Tony nomination for his lead role.
On the personal side, Odom has been married to performer Nicolette Robinson since 2012. They have two children, Lucille and Abel. He shared on the “Today” show how surprising it is that his children will experience “Hamilton,” since they weren’t even born when he first performed in it.
