Jonathan Groff joins off-Broadway cast of Hamilton


The Public Theater has announced that actor and 'Glee' star Jonathan Groff will join the cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda's new musical Hamilton at Astor Place, replacing Brian D'Arcy James in the role of King George from 3 March 2015.

The production has extended its limited engagement for a third time, and will run at the Public's Astor Place through 3 May 2015, where it is now sold out. Producers of the show announced earlier this week that it would transfer to Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre, beginning previews on 13 July with an official opening on 6 August 2015.

Brian D'Arcy James departs the production in order to star in the Broadway premiere of Something Rotten at the St James Theatre.

Jonathan Groff has previous starred in the Public Theater's productions of 'Hair' and 'The Bacchae'. His Broadway credits include the original cast of 'Spring Awakening'. He has appeared as a regular character in the TV series 'Glee', as well as the new HBO show 'Looking'. His film credits include 'American Sniper', 'HBO's The Normal Heart', and Disney's 'Frozen'.

Hamilton began performances on 20 January with an official opening on 17 February 2015. It opened to strong reviews, with critics praising Miranda's score as well as the performances by the energetic cast.

Inspired by Ron Chernowthe's biography of Alexander Hamilton, which traces the life of Hamilton, an illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan from the Caribbean who rose to become George Washington's aide-de-camp and the first Treasury Secretary of the United States. The musical features a cast of historical figures that includes George Washington, Aaron Burr, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson.

Groff will join the current cast of Hamilton which includes Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Daveed Diggs (Marquis De Lafayette, Thomas Jefferson), Renee Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler), Christopher Jackson (George Washington), Anthony Ramos (John Laurens, Phillip Hamilton), Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr), Phillipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton), with Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana DeBose, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Stephanie Klemons, Jon Rua, Seth Stewart, Betsy Struxness, Ephraim Sykes, and Voltaire Wade-Greene.

Hamilton is directed by Thomas Kail, with music direction and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, scenic design by David Korins, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley, and sound design by Nevin Steinberg.

The musical is being produced by The Public Theater with the support of Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, and Jill Furman.

- by Dom O'Hanlon

Jonathan Groff

Frequently asked questions

What is Hamilton about?

A sensation that made Lin-Manuel Miranda a household name, Hamilton made history with 11 Tony wins. A diverse cast and hip-hop music reimagine the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton for today. Sharp wordplay, an evocative story, and emotional performances make Hamilton revolutionary. Experience history anew and get Hamilton tickets.

Where is Hamilton playing?

Hamilton is playing at Richard Rodgers Theatre. The theatre is located at 226 W. 46th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), New York, 10036.

How long is Hamilton?

The running time of Hamilton is 2hr 45min. Incl. 1 intermission.

What's the age requirement for Hamilton?

The recommended age for Hamilton is Ages 10+. Infants are not permitted in the theater..

How do you book tickets for Hamilton?

Book tickets for Hamilton on New York Theatre Guide.

Who wrote Hamilton?

Lin-Manuel Miranda is the sole writer of Hamilton. He based the musical loosely on Alexander Hamilton, a biography written by Ron Chernow. Miranda is also known for writing the score for the Tony-winning musical In the Heights and movies including Encanto and Moana.

Which songs are in Hamilton?

The best-known songs in Hamilton include "The Room Where It Happens," "Satisfied," "Wait For It," "Burn," and "Alexander Hamilton." There are 46 songs in total, and the musical is almost entirely sung-through. Learn about all the songs in Hamilton on Broadway.

Is Hamilton appropriate for kids?

Hamilton is recommended for ages 10 and older, as the show contains some strong language and themes of death, war, and adultery. Please note that children 4 and younger are not permitted in Broadway theatres.

Who directed Hamilton?

Thomas Kail directed Hamilton. He won a 2016 Tony Award for his direction, and he's also known for directing Sweeney Todd and In the Heights.

How many Tony Awards did Hamilton win?

Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards out of 16 nominations in 2016. Its awards included Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Choreography.

When did Hamilton open on Broadway?

Hamilton opened in July 2015 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. It is now the longest-running show to ever play at that venue.

Is Hamilton good?

Hamilton received near-universal critical praise, including from New York Theatre Guide. Our five-star review reads, "Hamilton is a magnificent tapestry where all the elements of theatre are called upon to be their very best... The end result is something much more than the story of one man. It is the story of how we each create our destiny and our mark on the world."

Originally published on

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