Filipino-Japanese Actor Becomes the First Asian American to Play Alexander Hamilton on Broadway

A Filipino-Japanese actor recently made his debut playing the titular character of Alexander Hamilton on Broadway, becoming the first Asian American to play the iconic role in a Broadway theatre.

New York-based Marc delaCruz first joined the cast with the production in November last year, playing several characters as replacement including King George, John Laurens, Philip Hamilton, James Reynolds, and Philip Schuyler, among others.

“I am FILLED WITH GRATITUDE for the creators and originators of Hamilton. It’s an honor to help share this astoundingly crafted and important piece of theater,” he wrote on Instagram back on December 1.

The Hawaii-born artist finally made his official debut as Alexander Hamilton on Saturday, CNN reports.

Other Filipino-American actors in “Hamilton’s” Broadway casts are Karla Garcia and Isa Briones. Rachelle Ann Go and Christine Allado, meanwhile, are part of the London cast of the musical.

Tonight… we had the first Asian-American Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton on Broadway. Just wanted to let everyone know. Marc de la Cruz I have never been more proud of anyone. I’m so happy for you,” actress Olivia Oguma wrote in a Facebook post.

“Marc is not my friend—he is my brother, and someone we consider a family member. I am so thrilled to have had him in my life for 11 years. His best performance to date will always be singing “We Kiss in the Shadow” with me in our recording studio/bathroom in our hotel room in Minneapolis on the High School Musical tour, but his performance as Hamilton is a close second,” she added.

Inspired by the 2004 biography of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton by author and historian Ron Chernow, “Hamilton: An American Musical” is a sung- and rapped-through musical penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Broadway Diversity Project noted that while delaCruz is the first Asian-American man to play Hamilton on Broadway, “Jin Ha has played Hamilton in the Chicago production, and Joseph Morales currently playing Hamilton on tour, who is mixed race and of partial Japanese descent.”

Featured Image via Instagram / marc_delacruz

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