Hamilton has taken Australia by storm. I spoke with leading man, Jason Arrow who talks about the show’s popularity, not to mention landing the role of a lifetime!
Playing Alexander Hamilton must be quite the gig. How does it feel?
I won’t lie, at first it was quite daunting because the show means a lot to so many people, for various reasons. So, most of the cast felt quite a bit of weight, but as time’s gone on, we’ve relaxed into the roles and our own interpretations of them.
And you were cast during lockdown – that must have been some light at the end of the tunnel?
Yes, I found out during August of the long Melbourne lockdown. Auditioning kept me going for most of that year. It was a nice way to distract myself. I thought maybe I’d get some part in Hamilton, and aimed for the role of Aaron Burr, but to get the main part was amazing!
Hamilton has found much acclaim, especially with a younger audience. It seems to have the same soul found in RENT and Hair. How would you describe it?
I know what you mean by the soul aspect and it’s hard to describe because it’s a kind of a feeling … like an electricity. I think part of it is the diversity which is one of the many reasons people love the show, but it’s more than that. There’s a lot about Hamilton that speaks to people on a different level musically. It’s the first of its kind in terms of a fully sung rapped-through musical, where it’s hip-hop, R&B and rap. Of course, there are other styles in there as well, but its soul definitely has something to do with diversity in the music and cast, where it’s set and the way in which the story is told.
Are you now rapping in your sleep?
(Laughs) It’s quite funny, as we recently did a sitzprobe (rehearsal with orchestra) where it was like nine in the morning and I wasn’t fully awake, yet the words were falling out of me. I thought “This is good! I’m now at a point where I can open my mouth and know what’s going to come out”.
Do you have a favourite moment in the show?
I like the moment of We Know, when the other founding fathers of Jefferson, Madison and Burr come into Hamilton’s office to say they know about the scandal. Hamilton has to explain his way out of it, and I think in Act Two he’s grown a lot as a person. He handles things a bit differently, but you see him break and go back to old habits. I like exploring the concept of finding the essence of youth when you’re older.
“I was really upset that I missed Mardi Gras for a second time because I’d love to go and celebrate.”
Is there a specific moment where you feel you connect with the audience?
There’s a few. I find it’s the intimate and quieter moments that people relate to. My Shot feels like a big connection with the audience because the show is quite loud and boisterous up until that point, and it’s the first moment where it slows down for Hamilton. It’s just a minuscule of a second, but I feel there’s a big connection. It also happens quite beautifully in It’s Quiet Uptown.
Jason Arrow as Alexander Hamilton
Like Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton is the role of a lifetime, but what others would you like in the future?
Through my artistic journey, I’ve never really had a goal role, even before I became professional and was still doing armature theatre. I’ve always felt whatever I’m playing at the time is the role I wanted. Playing Hamilton right now is the penultimate for me, but once it’s finished it will be an open book. Whatever comes my way is what I’m meant to do, and from that point on I view that as being the best.
In between the Sydney and Melbourne productions did you get a chance to attend Mardi Gras?
Unfortunately, I didn’t. When we first went to Sydney, the Mardi Gras was happening and I was invited to go, but we were doing the show. Then it all happened again the week we came down to Melbourne! I was really upset that I missed it for a second time because I’d love to go and celebrate.
Jason Arrow
How about a Hamilton Mardi Gras float? You could stand up front, arm raised in the air!
Oh, that would be great! Holding the flag!
Have you had any wild nights out with your gay mates?
We haven’t had the opportunity to go out while doing the show, and then more COVID lockdowns happened, but I’m hoping to in Melbourne. While I was doing Beautiful: The Carole King Musical I went to ARQ nightclub on Oxford Street which I ‘sort of’ remember (laughs). It was a great night! In Perth there’s a great gay bar called The Court, which I would go to with people from WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) and it was also close to Connections Night Club.
When you’re out at a club, do you have a favourite dancefloor song?
I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston. I love that song! It’s always Whitney for me. Because of my parents I always listened to Whitney, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson and others from that era.
“I went to ARQ nightclub on Oxford Street which was a great night!”
So, Whitney is your diva?
Yeah, with Mariah Carey close behind! There’s just something about Whitney that every song she came out with was so epic. She was an epic singer with no ceiling to her voice! It just keeps going. I guess you could say the same about Celine Dion!
If you were gay, who would be your celebrity crush?
Andrew Garfield. There’s so much about him that’s attractive. He’s very talented, charming and a lovely person. He’s a brilliant actor as well. Tick, Tick … Boom! was amazing!
Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far?
Karen Francis, a director I did amateur theatre with. She basically honed my passion for the Arts with music theatre, and I owe a lot to her and Mandurah Theatre in WA. She also started her own theatre company called Stray Cats. We did tons of shows there like Jesus Christ Superstar, We Will Rock You and plays like Last Train to Freo.
Jason Arrow and cast members in Hamilton
What quote do you live by?
“Failing to plan is planning to fail”.
Any other plans while in Melbourne?
I’d like to make an EP of my own music while here. Now that I’ve said that I’ll have to do it! It’d be a lo-fi R&B mixture probably an amalgamation of influences like Tom Misch with a bit of Bruno Mars mixed in.
“Playing Hamilton is the penultimate for me, but once it’s finished it will be an open book.”
What advice can you give to young actors just starting out?
Take your time. If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that it’s not a race. We could be gone in a second, so don’t pressure yourself at all, because in the end that will make it worse for you. It’s about being happy and healthy in your own life and what will come will come.
Do you have any grooming or fashion tips?
(Laughs) You should ask Lyndon Watts (Aaron Burr) about that! I’ve recently started trying to get the curl back into my hair and I can thank Jayme Jo from the Hamilton cast for that. She has amazing curly hair. I credit her for my curls. And a diffuser is a brilliant thing!
And when it comes to underwear – briefs, fitted boxers or Eighteenth Century drawers?
(Laughing) Fitted boxers are the best, but Alexander Hamilton wears briefs! In fact, we wear a lot of layers upon layers of different things. Undershirt, pressure tights, socks, suit … I’m lucky I don’t have to wear a dance belt!
Hamilton is playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne
For more visit: hamiltonmusical.com.au
Follow Jason on Instagram @jasonarrow
