The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast Gillian Pensavalle

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 partner led him to Broadway.
Rubén J. Carbajal on Instagram
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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 done it three times: once as Sonny and twice as Usnavi.
When Hamilton came along Rubén was a superfan just like the rest of us, and we have a lot of fun revisiting those early days of the Hamilton fervor. What’s more exciting than being a fan of something and then actually being a part of it?! And for years, at that! It wasn’t an easy process and this episode ends with one of the busiest and most important days of Rubén’s life: an audition, the news about a call back, a Mets game, and standing on the turntable at the Richard Rodgers Theatre for the very first time.
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Vincent Jamal Hooper is back for round two! Vinny’s Hamilton experience took him to Puerto Rico, California, Texas, and Australia playing the roles of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Lafayette/Jefferson, George Washington, and KGIII.
This week, Vinny talks about going from Hamilton to White Girl in Danger to making his Broadway debut as Simba in The Lion King. Plus, Vinny explains the responsibility of tone setting in a production, tells us about all the playlists he made to get in character for his multiple Hamilton roles, all the "animal work" he did to prepare for Hamilton and Burr, and why video games are a parable life. 
Vincent Jamal Hooper on Instagram
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Vincent Jamal Hooper is here! Vinny recently made his Broadway debut as Simba in the Lion King and before that, his Hamilton experience took him all over the place: Puerto Rico, California, Texas, and Australia. Vinny played Hamilton, Burr, Lafayette/Jefferson, George Washington, and King George III.
This week, Vinny talks about growing up in Texas and knowing pretty early on that he wanted to be a performer. He landed the role of Benny in a local production of In The Heights which led him to Hamilton, a show that he and his friends (J. Quinton Johnson and Trey Curtis) used to act out in parking lots.  
After Hamilton Vinny shifts gears completely to do White Girl in Danger, and while it was total whiplash the experience made him a better artist all around and taught him the importance of not being afraid to be seen trying. 
Vincent Jamal Hooper on Instagram
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Jarrod Spector (King George III in Hamilton Broadway) is back for round two. In this episode, Jarrod talks about heading to New York City to study at the Atlantic Theater Company and starting his Broadway career. After being fired from Jersey Boys before he even started, Jarrod went on to play a record-breaking 1500 performances at Frankie Valli. We also talk Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Cher Show, and collaborating with his fantastic wife Kelli Barrett. Jarrod also discusses landing KGIII in Hamilton, explains why the role is like "starting on third base", and reflects on his long history of playing real people. Plus, he takes questions from the Patreon Peeps and talks about what's inspiring him.
Fosse/Verdon
A Killer Party
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Full Circle Artists
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Jarrod Spector, Hamilton Broadway’s current King George III, is on the podcast! This week, Jarrod talks about growing up in Philadelphia where he started performing on the Al Alberts Showcase at barely three years old. From there, he did his Bobby Darin act on Star Search for a while, humbly passed on The Mickey Mouse Club, and at nine years old he landed the role of Gavroche in Les Miserables where he performed in Philly, Chicago, and eventually on Broadway.
Jarrod also opens up about his somewhat tumultuous early college experience, (girl, same) and we have a very honest conversation about some tricky life lessons we both learned around the same time.
Al Alberts Showcase featuring Al and Jarrod singing "That's Life" (1986)
Jarrod Spector singing Mack the Knife on Star Search (1988)
Star Search - Jarrod Spector vs. Countess Vaughn (1988)
Jarrod on Instagram
Full Circle Artists
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