Broadway mega-hit Hamilton is on the road, with a 3-month run in Chicago and a completely new cast – led by none other than Wayne Brady.
The comic and actor, well known for his appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyways? (and a particularly salty Chappelle’s Show cameo), is an energetic and affable performer; his wide smile and quick wit make him a perfect host (both on his own Wayne Brady Show and the iconic Let’s Make A Deal). But if you’re realizing you haven’t seen Brady onscreen in a bit, here’s why: he’s been on Broadway.
It’s not that surprising, given his mastery of all things musical; he’s always amazing on Whose Line’s song challenges, and he’s hosted shows like Celebrity Duets and Don’t Forget The Lyrics! He’s appeared in Chicago and, most recently, Kinky Boots, and this week he stepped into the role of Hamilton co-lead Aaron Burr, replacing original actor Joshua Henry in a limited run of the show in Chicago.
The news was announced a few weeks ago, but reviews are finally in – and they’re mostly glowing. Variety, comparing Brady to his predecessor Henry and original Broadway Burr, Leslie Odom Jr., gives the comic credit for bringing an energy that makes Burr shine in entirely new ways. The Chicago Tribune said: “Brady is a formidably brilliant improviser, and that makes him a highly reactive and live presence on stage, far more so than Henry, actually.”
So for comedy fans with serious musical theater obsessions (we know there are a lot of you), here’s a great excuse to take that mid-winter Chicago trip you’ve always dreamed of!
