Laura and Samara spend their days as non-profit unicorns and fill every spare minute exploring the world of musical theatre as BFFs (that’s Broadway Friends Forever). Follow @bffs613 on Instagram and Facebook.
The Broadway uber-success Hamilton returns to Ottawa’s NAC theatre next week, thanks to the Broadway Across Canada tour. We were thrilled to get to sit down with Christian Magby, who plays the characters of Lafayette and Jefferson in the show, to hear about what it’s been like joining such a prominent production, working with the greats, and what audiences can expect – whether they’ve already seen the show or not!
Apt613: What’s it like to take on this role and these two different characters?
Magby: I have always seen these roles from an audience perspective. I don’t think I ever would have imagined getting to take on these two grand characters. It has really been life-changing, because it is a show that everyone knows very well, but it also has been an opportunity to bring our own take on these roles.
Apt613: Hamilton is celebrating its 10th year this year – what do you think about the legacy and impact it’s had on musical theatre?
Magby: There’s not a show like it – everything is very intentional, and that’s why it’s continued. It’s musical brilliance! It has companies in the US/Canada, internationally, the recording on Disney+, and yet people are still coming out to see it live. It speaks to how powerful the show is. Anytime you go see it, you see something different, always a new focus and takeaway every time. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s lyrics are so rich and give it so much to play with – if you miss it, you’ll catch it next time. There’s just so much to be able to go off of; it’s a testament to how powerful it is. There are many lenses to tell it through, and the addition of having it told through people of colour just adds another level to the story.
Christian Magby joins Hamilton tour
Apt613: You’ve also done a lot of television and movies – including One Night in Miami with Hamilton alum Leslie Odom Jr. Did you get to talk to him about Hamilton?
Magby: It was cool to connect with Leslie in One Night in Miami, to be able to see his brilliance on set and the way he thinks. I saw Leslie about two months ago at a cabaret he was holding and told him that I thought I was in the running for this, and now we’ll actually both be in the show at the same time, as he’s returning to Hamilton on Broadway this fall!
Apt613: It must have been so exciting to join the tour. What has the experience been like so far? What are you looking forward to as the tour continues?
Magby: It’s been incredible. The thing I have enjoyed the most is being able to tell this story every night because as soon as the train leaves the station, it’s a different ride every time. Finding new things in the character each night – there is so much to play with. As we continue to go to different cities and share this production, for some audiences it’s their first time seeing the show, and for some the fourth, and regardless, we get to be part of something so monumental for them.
Apt613: Hamilton has reached a wide range of fans, even outside musical theatre lovers. Is there a moment in the show that you love seeing the audience’s reaction? Is there any difference to Hamilton audiences than to other shows you’ve been a part of?
Magby: It is so energetic and loud, and the audience is so full every night, which is not something you get in every show you do in theatre! We really get to play off their energy, and it’s fun to see audience members who react to the same or different things. There’s really nothing like it that I’ve experienced before.
Broadway Across Canada’s presentation of Hamilton takes place from August 5 to 17 with 7:30 pm evening performances from Tuesday to Sunday and 1 pm matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday. Hamilton runs for 2 hours and 45 minutes with an intermission.
