Hamilton, the off-Broadway musical about rapping founding fathers which recently opened to rave reviews, will be moving to the Great White Way this summer. Even bigger news: Broadway sweetheart Jonathan Groff will take over the role of King George III from Brian D'Arcy James in the Broadway production. With lyrics, music and book all done by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Public Theater production opened Feb. 17 to some of the best reviews in years. There was little doubt that the play would make it to Broadway, but many were surprised at how quickly it got there. Hamilton is already an early frontrunner in the 2016 Tony Awards race. Groff, known for his work in Spring Awakening and the television show Glee, will take the stage as King George III after James leaves to star in the Broadway production of Something Rotten.
Hamilton was inspired by Ron Chernow's 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton. Miranda incorporated a variety of different musical styles including rap, hip-hop, R&B and pop balladry to translate late-18th-century American history into a contemporary, multi-cultural urban production.
The show follows Hamilton as he deals with political and personal mishaps along with his interactions with major historical figures such as George Washington, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison as they break from England and forge an independent nation. Miranda himself stars in the show as Hamilton along with a 19-member ensemble of predominantly black and Hispanic actors.
Hamilton will begin previews at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre July 13 with an opening night set for Aug. 6. The show will be replacing the Idina Menzel musical If/Then, which closes March 22.
