Javier Munoz Will Be Alternate in HAMILTON on Broadway

[ClydeBarrow]

Just so everyone is aware ahead of time and doesn't throw a hissy fit, they've announced the alternate schedule for HAMILTON. 

[starcatchers]

Yay! I never got to see him on at the Public. Loved him as Usnavi. 

[QueenAlice]

When I saw HAMILTON, Javier was on for the title role and I thought he was really superb.

[macnyc]

It is good that they released a schedule for him, but I think people who have already bought their tickets might still pitch a fit. I personally would love to see him.

[brdway411]

Good news, I missed him in ITH. 

[neonlightsxo]

People will be throwing fits, no doubt. Luckily I've purchased 2 pairs of tickets and I will get to see Lin again and also Javier. I'm happy.

[hork]

I am pitching a fit, because my tickets are for one of his performances and I really wanted to see it with Miranda. I know Munoz has his fans, but I'm REALLY not impressed by the YouTube videos of him in In the Heights -- his acting is weak, and he lacks Miranda's energy and charisma. Ugh, I'm pissed.

[Auggie27]

I'm going 10/4, a Sunday matinee. I always expected this possibility.  But since this actor was hand-picked by the creator, I am not remotely disturbed.  The show is the star here, something I seldom say.

[orangeskittles]

I was upset when it happened to me at the Public because Lin announced it on Twitter mere hours before the show. I was already on the train to the city.

If people are truly disappointed after this announcement, they have more than enough time to reschedule. StubHub the matinee tickets and buy new ones.

Javi was fine. His rapping isn't as good as Lin's, but his acting and singing are better, so he really handled the gravitas of Act 2 better than I would think Lin would.

[LarryD2]

It does seem odd that they are making this announcement so close to the start of previews, after many people have bought tickets. But that's the theater -- you should be going for the show, not the performance.

[BonnieBanks]

 I Guess I'm going to have to change my ticket! I hope it's not too late. 

[gstrus2]

Having seen both at the Public, I thought they were very similar and I slightly preferred Javi.

[BonnieBanks]

I understand that, but this is the show of the year (possible the decade) and I am not seeing it with an alternate (even though I'm sure he is great). If I had the luxury of going 5 times, then my situation would be different. 

[GilmoreGirlO2]

I saw Javi at the Public and he was great. He has a great voice and is quite charming. I think he lacks the level of emotion and passion that Lin brings, especially when rapping, but it really is the show that is the star of this production.

I have tickets to see one of the shows Javi will be stepping in and am unable to switch dates. Wish I could get the chance to see Lin in the role, but happy to get to see how Javi has grown in the role.

[neonlightsxo]

I'm curious to see if they will actually let you switch tickets (not that I want to, just out of curiosity.)

[perfectlymarvelous]

I'm probably going to try and switch mine. I'm bringing my dad to the show on October 4 and I really want him to see Lin, so I'll report back with what they tell me.

[SantanaLopez]

It's really shady they felt the need to do this and reveal the schedule after people already purchased their tickets. They should have given people the option of who they wanted to see. I know I would be pissed if I wanted to see Lin and because of this wound up with tickets for a night that Javi is performing. I'm glad I waited.

[Kimbo]

perfectlymarvelous,

Definitely let us know your experience and how it turns out.

We also have tickets for one of the newly announced Munoz performances, and as good as he was/is, one way or another this production definitely won't be holding on to our money for them... mostly because we already saw the show at the public and, as it turns out, it happened to be one of the performances Lin-Manuel decided to sit out the day beforehand to "watch the show" (although he was nowhere to be seen in the audience that night).

As much as we truly loved the show (and Munoz), the main reason we purchased tickets again (and at Broadway prices) was to see the Lin-Manuel performance we missed off-Broadway.  By announcing the alternate not only after performances have begun, but four months after tickets went onsale, the production is risking a lot of good will with ticket holders to those performances he now won't be playing. 

"Shady" is right.  Or so it seems to me.  But shady or not, on a certain level the production really will have to accommodate exchanges or, at the very least, hassle-free refunds.

[HogansHero]

First of all, switching tickets will be no easy feat even if it is permitted (and i would think it would be) since the show is basically sold out for 6 months. Secondly, I think what one wants to see is Miranda's creation. not his acting which is by far the least of his accomplishments. Third, Javi is arguably better. Fourth, it is not clear that anyone knew this was going to happen when tickets went on sale, and from that moent on there would not be a good time to announce this. Fifth, at some point, Miranda will leave the show and when you have a six month advance, that too will leave some people without notice; it's the nature of the beast. Finally, this desire to see Miranda in the role is not about theatre but about star worship. That's not what this show is-the star is the ensemble, from front to back, and of course the play itself.

[starcatchers]

"I am pitching a fit, because my tickets are for one of his performances and I really wanted to see it with Miranda. I know Munoz has his fans, but I'm REALLY not impressed by the YouTube videos of him in In the Heights -- his acting is weak, and he lacks Miranda's energy and charisma. Ugh, I'm pissed."

 

 

YouTube is not a good indicator of live anything. Ever. 

[macnyc]

Hogan, you make many excellent points. But I must disagree with you about the star worship aspect.  I think it is truly a thrill to see the creator in the role. It's not something that we have the opportunity to experience all that often. 

[SantanaLopez]

"First of all, switching tickets will be no easy feat even if it is permitted (and i would think it would be) since the show is basically sold out for 6 months. Secondly, I think what one wants to see is Miranda's creation. not his acting which is by far the least of his accomplishments. Third, Javi is arguably better. Fourth, it is not clear that anyone knew this was going to happen when tickets went on sale, and from that moent on there would not be a good time to announce this. Fifth, at some point, Miranda will leave the show and when you have a six month advance, that too will leave some people without notice; it's the nature of the beast. Finally, this desire to see Miranda in the role is not about theatre but about star worship. That's not what this show is-the star is the ensemble, from front to back, and of course the play itself."

While I agree with some, not all of what you wrote I can only speak for myself and say that I want to see Hamilton with Lin Manuel Miranda in the role and it's not about "star worship", that's just a load of b.s. It's my hard earned money and it's my prerogative.

 

[Auggie27]

Yep, Hogan nails it.

[SantanaLopez]

"Yep, Hogan nails it."

Uh. No he didn't.

[SantanaLopez]

"Hogan, you make many excellent points. But I must disagree with you about the star worship aspect.  I think it is truly a thrill to see the creator in the role. It's not something that we have the opportunity to experience all that often. "

Yeah. That about sums it up for me. Couldn't have said it any better myself!