Leslie Odom Jr. announces return to ‘Hamilton' on Broadway

It seems like King George III was right when he sang 'You'll Be Back': Leslie Odom Jr. will be returning to the Broadway stage to reprise his role of Aaron Burr in 'Hamilton,' he exclusively announced live on "TODAY" on Monday.
Odom — who won a Tony for best leading actor in a musical in 2016 for his portrayal of Aaron Burr, as well as a Grammy for his original Broadway cast recording in 2015 — will have a limited run as the character from Sept. 9 through Nov. 23, 2025.
Odom's announcement of his return comes as 'Hamilton' celebrates its 10-year anniversary on Broadway.
'Returning to 'Hamilton' is a deeply meaningful homecoming,' Odom said in a press release. 'I'm so grateful for the chance to step back into the room — especially during this anniversary moment and to revisit this brilliant piece that forever changed my life and the lives of so many.'
Odom first played Burr in the off-Broadway 'Hamilton' production and joined the original cast when the show hit Broadway in August 2015. He left the show in July 2016 at the same time fellow stars Phillipa Soo and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who's also the show's creator. This will be the first time he is reprising the role on Broadway.
He will take the stage at Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre, where 'Hamilton' has been since its Broadway debut.
Odom grew particular fame from the song 'The Room Where It Happens,' which allows insight into his character's thirst for knowledge and showcases his vocal prowess.
'When I saw Leslie perform 'The Room Where It Happens' at the first act two workshop of 'Hamilton,' I knew I was witnessing a historic moment,' said Jeffrey Seller, the lead producer of 'Hamilton,' in the press release. 'How lucky we are that Leslie is returning to Hamilton and bringing his indelible Burr back to Broadway.'
Since starring in 'Hamilton,' Odom has explored film, TV and other musicals, featuring in works like 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,' 'Harriet,' 'Abbott Elementary' and making his Broadway return in the revival of 'Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch.'
He also released five studio albums, wrote a memoir called 'Failing Up' and co-authored a children's book with his wife called 'I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know.'

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Time Out

29 minutes ago

• Time Out

Photograph: Supplied/Daniel Boud

In musical theatre circles, Cats is the show that everyone loves to hate, dismissing it as 'weird' and 'uncool'. So let me begin this review by stating that I love Cats. I listened to the cast recording over and over as a child, I met my best friend on a Cats mailing list (remember those?) when I was sixteen, and there's probably still some old Cats fanfiction floating around out there that I wrote in my teens. This much maligned show doesn't deserve the hate it gets. When Cats was first performed in the early 1980s, it was hailed as groundbreaking, bridging the gap between concept musicals and mega musicals in a way no show had done before. It won both Olivier and Tony awards for best musical, and ran for decades on the West End and Broadway. These days, it's viewed more as a 'guilty pleasure' – the show you secretly enjoy but are supposed to pretend you don't, lest you be seen as uncultured. But why? Concept musicals based around a theme rather than a traditional narrative have existed since the 1950s, with notable examples including Cabaret, Hair and Company. Dance-heavy musicals are also not a unique concept. Cats isn't even the only show to combine these two elements. But while shows like A Chorus Line and Pippin are hailed as iconic, Cats – which is essentially A Chorus Line with tails – is not shown the same love. Cats may not be too heavy on the plot, but it's a show for people who love the little details Much of the criticism surrounding Cats comes from wanting it to be something it isn't, instead of appreciating it for what it is; a visually spectacular, dance-heavy, surreal concept musical. And on that front, Australia's new 40th anniversary production well and truly delivers. Andrew Lloyd Webber is known to mess around with his shows, and thus, Cats has undergone some changes through the years – including the questionable hip-hop styled 'street cat' version of Rum Tum Tugger, who has thankfully been returned to his original Mick Jagger-esque rockstar form in this production (played with hip-swivelling panache by Des Flanagan). But much of the show remains true to its 1980s roots. This production, which celebrates the show's 40th Australian anniversary at Sydney's Theatre Royal (the very same venue where Cats made its Down Under debut all those years ago), retains the original set and makeup designs by John Napier, direction by Trevor Nunn (brought to life here by associate director and choreographer Chrissie Cartwright) and, most crucially, the choreography of Gillian Lynne. The choreo for this show is truly iconic, and as a lifelong Cats fan it was a joy to see it executed to such a high standard. In particular, Claudia Hastings (The Phantom of the Opera) as Victoria and French ballet dancer Axel Alvarez as Mr Mistoffelees (a role he has played in various international productions) expertly handle their challenging solo dances, garnering spontaneous cheers from the audience throughout the show on opening night. Other standouts are Jake O'Brien (West Side Story, & Juliet) and Savannah Lind (Hairspray, Chicago) as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, performing their number with mischievous joy and impressive vocal control. Particularly impressive is Lind's ability to sing while cartwheeling. Playing Grizabella, Gabriyel Thomas (Sister Act the Musical, Hairspray) has the unenviable task of bringing something new to an iconic song that must be one of the most overdone in all of musical theatre canon. Her connection to the role shines through in her performance and her rendition of 'Memory' is deeply heartfelt and authentic. At its core, Cats is a true ensemble show which provides every performer a moment to shine. As a fan, much of the joy comes from the smaller moments that might not be noticed by more casual pundits. I loved looking out for Tantomile (Sarah Bourke) and Coricopat (Joshua Gordon) moving in unison, and watching the way Munkustrap (Jarrod Draper) protects the other cats and directs their performances during 'Pekes and the Pollicles'. I found myself delighted by the close relationship between Demeter (Olivia Carniato) and Bombalurina (Mia Dabkowski-Chandler), and the slightly antagonistic behaviour from Rum Tum Tugger (Flanagan) towards Munkustrap. Cat s may not be too heavy on the plot, but it's a show for people who love the little details. Every single moment tells us something new about the characters, and you could truly just choose one cat to watch for the entire performance and you'll be entertained the entire time. If you've never seen Cats before – or worse, if your only exposure was the disastrous 2019 film – let this production be your formal invitation to join the Jellicle Ball. The Australian 40th anniversary production of Cats is playing at the Sydney Theatre Royal until September 6, 2025, before embarking on a national tour. Find out more and book your tickets at

Scottish Sun

5 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

Meteoric rise of Olivia Rodrigo revealed from Disney star writing songs at 13 to headlining Glastonbury & 14 Grammy nods

Olivia says she 'doesn't want to be the biggest pop star that ever lived' STARLET TO SUPERSTAR Meteoric rise of Olivia Rodrigo revealed from Disney star writing songs at 13 to headlining Glastonbury & 14 Grammy nods Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH buzzing music fans watching, Olivia Rodrigo will take to Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage on Sunday to bring the world's most famous festival to a close. At 22, she will be the second youngest ever to do so, after Billie Eilish in 2022 — and the only female act headlining this year. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 11 Olivia Rodrigo at a Beverly Hills party earlier this year Credit: Getty 11 Young Olivia with parents Chris and Jennifer Credit: Disney Channel/Youtube 11 Olivia playing New York last year on her world tour Credit: Getty Her meteoric rise to fame has taken her from Disney Channel starlet to 46million monthly listeners on Spotify, 14 Grammy nominations and collaborations with David Byrne and Lily Allen. So how did a Disney child actor come to make this journey through the ranks to grab the most prized slot at Worthy Farm? Known for her heart-on-sleeve hits including Drivers License and Good 4 U, it seems Olivia was always destined to achieve her goals. 'I want to be a songwriter — I don't want to be the biggest pop star that ever lived,' she said in an interview. 'I worked my whole childhood and I'm never going to get it back. 'I didn't go to football games, I didn't have this group of girlfriends that I hung out with after school. That's kind of sad.' Raised in a southern California town by her teacher mum Jennifer and therapist dad Chris, Olivia was only 12 when she made her acting debut as the lead in the American Girl doll franchise movie. Before that, the self- professed 'theatre kid' had been writing songs — before going on to learn piano and guitar — and was inspired by Taylor Swift's country tones. She once declared herself the 'biggest Swiftie in the world', and was also a huge fan of the in-your-face energy of Nineties and alt-rock groups such as No Doubt. In 2016, Olivia was cast in Disney's Bizaardvark and three years later she starred in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, a mockumentary that sees a bunch of teens putting on a stage production of the hit. Olivia Rodrigo praised for her 'iconic' FireAid performance - but fans all have the same complaint 'I remember being in meetings when I was 13, and they were asking me what I wanted my brand to be,' she told Vogue. 'I was just like, 'I don't even know what I want to wear tomorrow'.' Between High School Musical takes, the young actress worked away on her guitar, writing more music, until eventually Disney bosses invited her to create an original song for her character to sing in the show. The piano ballad that emerged — All I Want — went viral, and she was soon in line for a record deal. But unlike others who went from Disney favourite to superstar, such as Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, Olivia shunned the in-house label and decided to do things her own way. And inspired by Taylor, she also made sure she had the rights to her masters from the start. 11 Child star Olivia as Paige, right, in 2016 Disney show Bizaardvark Credit: Getty 11 Olivia playing the Other Stage at Glasto in 2022 Credit: Getty 11 Olivia with co-star Joshua Bassett in 2019 Credit: Getty Everything changed overnight in January 2021 when Olivia released her debut single Drivers License in the middle of winter lockdown. It became the first song on Spotify to hit 80million streams in just seven days. The tune also shot straight to No1 on charts globally and propelled her into what she called a 'crash course in adulthood'. 'That was the craziest time of my life,' she said back then. 'I was sitting in a grocery store parking lot, and I called my A&R guy. 'It had just gone No 1 on Apple music, which is hard for a pop act to do. 'We were looking at each other on FaceTime, speechless. 'That was the moment I knew that it was going to be something bigger than I expected.' I just remember everyone being so weird and speculative about stuff they had no idea about. Olivia Rodrigo The story of a heartbroken teenager watching her ex move on quickly led fans to speculate it was about a rumoured love triangle with her former High School Musical co-star Joshua Bassett and Disney actress Sabrina Carpenter. Its lyrics — 'You're probably with that blonde girl, who always made me doubt' seemed, to the TikTok gossipers at least, to be a nod to Espresso singer Sabrina, even though this was never confirmed. Still, two weeks after Drivers License went global, Sabrina released Skin, which featured the lines 'maybe you didn't mean it, maybe 'blonde' was the only rhyme' and, 'you been tellin' your side, so I'll be tellin' mine', raising eyebrows even further. The ensuing soap opera proved a struggle for both the young stars, while Joshua Bassett ended up in hospital. He claimed he had heart failure amid the stress. Olivia said: 'I put it out not knowing that it would get that reaction, so it was really strange when it did. 'I just remember everyone being so weird and speculative about stuff they had no idea about.' 11 Loved-up Olivia and boyfriend Louis Partridge in January Credit: GC Images 11 Olivia was awarded three Grammys in 2022 Credit: Getty 11 Olivia with her idol Taylor Swift in 2021 After Drivers License, Olivia's career went from strength to strength. Her second single, Deja Vu, was certified four times platinum in the States, then May 2021 saw the release of her debut album Sour, with pop-punk hit Good 4 U going six times platinum in the US. She earned rave reviews from critics, while artists including Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne heaped praise upon her. Her first live performance in the UK was at the Brit awards in 2021, while her festival debut here was at Glastonbury the following year. During her set there, she brought on Lily Allen and sang Allen's 2009 hit, F*** You. Olivia also joined her heroes No Doubt on stage at 2024's Coachella in California, and performed alongside Chappell Roan in LA last August. Earlier this month, she sang with Talking Heads' David Byrne during her headline set at New York's Governors Ball. The pair belted out a cover of the band's hit Burning Down The House. Documentary Olivia Rodrigo: Driving Home 2 U (A SOUR Film) — which followed the making of her first album — debuted exclusively on Disney+ in March 2022. 'I don't kiss and tell' And Netflix released Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour, about her global trek, last October. Heartbreak remains her favourite subject to write about. But she has kept much of her private life under wraps since the storm over that debut single, and once insisted: 'I don't kiss and tell.' Instead, most of her feelings are expressed in her music. Take her 2023 hit Vampire, in which she brands a mystery older ex a 'bloodsucker' who was only with her for fame. She dated producer Adam Faze for seven months before things came to an end in early 2022, then entered into a short relationship with music executive Zack Bia that same year. But despite her earlier pain, she is now loved up with British actor Louis Partridge, known for playing Sid Vicious in a series about the Sex Pistols. He said in an interview last year: 'Dating probably shouldn't be done in the public eye . . . there's enough going on between two people. 'You don't need the voices of thousands of others in your head.' 11 Olivia with her guitar during her Disney days Credit: Getty 11 Olivia will take to Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage on Sunday Credit: Getty But that has not stopped them from going, in true Gen Z style, 'Instagram official'. And last November, Louis, 22, took Olivia to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United take on Chelsea. Dealing with the pressure of publicity is far from the only trouble Olivia has found herself in, though. Hole singer Courtney Love took to social media to call out similarities between the artwork on her 1994 album Live Through This and promotional material for an Olivia Rodrigo concert, both of which featured the singers dressed as prom queens clutching flowers while mascara ran down their faces. 'My cover was my original idea. A thing you maybe have to actually live life to acquire?' wrote Nineties rock star Courtney, though the pair seemed to patch things up. However, allegations of copyright infringement involving hits on Olivia's debut album and songs by Taylor Swift and Paramore would go on to cost the star millions. Both acts ended up receiving not only 50 per cent of the royalties from the tracks they had inspired, Deja Vu and Good 4 U, but were included in the songwriting credits. Olivia's outspoken nature did not help, as she had previously mentioned Tay's Cruel Summer was the direct inspiration for her hit. Even last week, she was accused of making a Nashville venue take down Taylor Swift imagery before filming there in 2023, though it was later confirmed the removals were done for legal reasons. 'I was so green as to how the music industry worked, the litigious side,' Olivia has said. Headlining Glastonbury alongside The 1975 and Neil Young shows that Olivia has come a long way, especially amid rumours her third album could be released this year. She may look like the sweet girl next door, but her determination to direct her own career proves she is as punk as the rest of them.

Daily Mirror

5 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Sting gives update as support act suffers cardiac arrest on stage in Liverpool

Sting's long-anticipated return to Liverpool took on a somber tone as he opened his headline performance at On The Waterfront by addressing a medical emergency that unfolded earlier in the day involving a member of local band The Christians. The Grammy-winning artist took the stage at Pier Head on Sunday night, closing out the four-day festival, but not before updating fans on the dramatic incident that had temporarily paused the event just hours before. During The Christians' afternoon set, a band member collapsed mid-performance, prompting immediate concern and halting the show. Eyewitnesses described how frontman Garry Christian urgently called for medics to rush to the stage. Moments later, a privacy screen was erected to shield the scene from the large crowd, who watched in silence as the situation unfolded. Shortly after, a spokesperson - believed to be the band's manager, Emma Bridget - addressed the audience with a sobering update. She confirmed that the performer had suffered a cardiac arrest but was still alive. 'We're really hoping he is going to make it,' she told the crowd. 'He didn't have a pulse, he's got one now, we think. Thank you so much.' Despite the shock, The Christians reportedly encouraged Sting to proceed with his headline set, offering their full support. When he eventually appeared on stage, Sting made sure to acknowledge what had happened, opening his performance with a few quiet, heartfelt words about the drummer's condition: 'The drummer in the band before is OK. He's in hospital. All of us are praying he's going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him.' It was a rare emotional moment for the legendary artist, whose appearance marked his first performance in Liverpool since 1979. Reflecting on the city's deep musical legacy and its connection to his own roots, the former Police frontman added: "I apologise. I don't know what kept me. I'm happy to be in this historic music city. The most historic music city in the world for obvious reasons.' Originally from Wallsend, North Tyneside, Sting also remarked on how Liverpool reminds him of home before launching into his set. His show brought the 2025 edition of On The Waterfront to a close, following a packed weekend of music at the iconic Mersey-side location. Other headline acts across the festival included The Wombats, The Wolfe Tones, and Cream Classical Ibiza. As of now, no further updates on the condition of The Christians' band member have been made public. .