Who will play 'Hamilton' when it comes to the Philippines in September?

Jason Arrow, the actor who played Alexander Hamilton in the original Australian cast of “Hamilton” when it debuted in Sydney in March 2021, will lead the international tour that includes Manila in September.

Producers Jeffrey Seller and Michael Cassel of the Tony, Grammy, Olivier and Pulitzer Prize winning production made the announcement on Monday, June 5, in an email by their local partner, GMG Productions.

In a statement, Arrow said it was a privilege to be given the opportunity to continue playing one of the most iconic roles in theatre.

“Playing Alexander Hamilton has been the single greatest honour of my career and I am so proud to have the opportunity to continue to learn so much from this character,” he said.

“Audiences throughout Australia and New Zealand have reacted so warmly to HAMILTON and I can’t wait to share it with more people all over the world,” added Arrow, who has essayed the role since 2021. 

Cassel, in a statement, said it was a natural decision to continue Arrow’s legacy with the production.

“Jason’s nuanced, thoughtful and searing rendition of Alexander Hamilton has been beloved by audiences throughout Australia and New Zealand, we are thrilled that he will continue bringing his sensational performance to audiences around the world in ‘Hamilton’s’ international tour,” he was quoted as saying.

Prior to getting this coveted role, Arrow played supporting roles in “Aladdin” and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”

Arrow, who graduated in 2016 at Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Arts major in Music Theatre, has also performed with The Four Seasons tribute group called Motown Boys in Australia. He played Frankie Valli.

For his role in “Hamilton,” he was nominated in the 2021 Sydney Theater Awards for Best Performance in a Leading Role in a Musical category. The award, however, went to his co-actor Lyndon Watts, for playing Aaron Burr, the vice president of the United States and Hamilton’s mortal enemy.

The other cast members, the statement said, will be announced in coming months.

“Hamilton” will premiere in Manila at The Theatre in Solaire come September and will be staged at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in January, 2024 after.

Tickets to Manila shows have been sold out a few days after they were made available. 

The statement said tickets to Auckland, Manila and Abu Dhabi seasons are available now at hamiltonmusical.com/international-tour.

“Hamilton” premiered on Broadway in August 2015 to wide critical and audience acclaim and has gone on to play seasons in London’s West End, Australia, Germany and now in New Zealand over the weekend.

Featuring book, music and lyrics written by Lin-Manuel Miranda that blend hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, “Hamilton” is about the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton.

Directed Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, “Hamilton” is based on Ron Chernow’s bestselling biography, described by reviewers as “the story of America then told by America now.” — LA, GMA Integrated News