Leslie Odom Jr., who originally starred as Aaron Burr in the Broadway smash hit Hamilton, is returning to reprise the role that he says “gave me life.” Odom, a Tony Award winner for his portrayal of Burr, will return to the Richard Rodgers Theatre from September 9 through November 23.
“I was born on the stage of the Richard Rodgers in so many ways. It gave me life in a way,” Odom reflects. He and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who played Alexander Hamilton, both left the production in July 2016 after their final performance together. Odom had been with Hamilton since it began its off-Broadway run in early 2015.
Looking back, Odom fondly recalls his time with the show, calling it the start of his career and a dream come true. “It was the genesis of so much for me,” he says. Over the course of his time in the role, Odom estimates he performed as Burr about 500 times, and each performance still provided new insights. “It still had revelation for me, and it still gave me reason to look a little deeper and focus a little harder,” he explains.
Upon his return, Odom will be working with a new cast and aims to bring a fresh energy to the role. “I want them to see something exciting and alive. And the best way for me to do that is to be open and present in that moment,” he says, highlighting his commitment to discovering new aspects of the role.
Beyond Hamilton, Odom has enjoyed a diverse career. He earned another Tony nomination for his role in Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch and has appeared in films such as Glass Onion, The Many Saints of Newark, and portrayed Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami. He’s also voiced characters in the animated series Central Park, starred alongside Kate Hudson in Music, and appeared in TV shows like Abbott Elementary and Blue’s Clues & You.
Odom, who trained at Carnegie Mellon University, was the youngest cast member of the Broadway production of Rent and has also appeared on TV in Smash and CSI: Miami. He had roles in the film Red Tails and the Broadway show Leap of Faith before Hamilton made him a household name.
When the pandemic hit, Disney+ released a filmed version of the original Broadway cast of Hamilton, which continued to captivate audiences around the world. The show won 11 Tony Awards, including Best New Musical, Best Book, and Best Score. Its cast album became a hit, and the musical toured to packed theaters.
Based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton, the musical focuses on Hamilton’s rise, his immigrant roots, and his tragic downfall. The show also emphasizes the optimism of the era, particularly under the presidency of Barack Obama. Odom is currently revisiting Chernow’s book to prepare for his return to the stage.
In addition to Odom, many of the original cast members, including Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Okieriete Onaodowan, Anthony Ramos, and Phillipa Soo, were relatively unknown when they first appeared in Hamilton. Odom, known for his powerful performances in songs like “Wait for It,” “Dear Theodosia,” “The Room Where It Happens,” and “Your Obedient Servant,” often sings the iconic tracks at his concerts. However, he’ll have to relearn the score ahead of his return, which he’s excited to do. “One of the most important gifts that it gave me was this association with some recognizable tunes that people like to hear,” he adds.
