Christopher Jackson, an original cast member of the popular Broadway musical ‘Hamilton,’ will reprise his role as George Washington. He will return to the Richard Rodgers Theatre from September 8 to January 3.
Jackson earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda, who played Alexander Hamilton. Reflecting on his return, Jackson shared, “I wanted to touch the thing that turned me into an artist.”
Jackson is the second original cast member to return, following Leslie Odom Jr.’s reprisal of Aaron Burr last year. This previous return pushed show revenues over $4 million in one week, marking a high since 2018. The inspiration for Jackson’s return came from reconnecting with fellow actors during ‘Hamilton’s’ 10th anniversary event. He described the show as offering a unique sense of vitality and said the timing was perfect for his return.
Leading up to ‘Hamilton,’ Jackson played significant roles on Broadway: Simba in ‘The Lion King,’ Benny in ‘In the Heights,’ and Delray in ‘Memphis.’ He was also involved in productions like ‘After Midnight,’ ‘Bronx Bombers’ as Derek Jeter, and ‘Holler If Ya Hear Me,’ which featured songs by Tupac Shakur. His versatility extends to composing and songwriting for children’s TV, like ‘The Electric Company’ and ‘Sesame Street.’
Post-‘Hamilton,’ Jackson continued acting, including roles in the CBS drama ‘Bull,’ HBO Max’s ‘And Just Like That,’ and a return to Broadway in shows like ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ and ‘Freestyle Love Supreme.’ He also sang in the acclaimed animated film ‘Moana.’ Despite his busy career, he maintains that nothing challenged him quite like ‘Hamilton.’
Jackson departed ‘Hamilton’ in November 2016, following its off-Broadway start in early 2015. The Broadway production secured 11 Tony Awards, confirming its status as a cultural phenomenon. The show’s cast album and various tours have captured the interest of enthusiasts worldwide.
Referring to the Richard Rodgers Theatre as his “favorite building in New York,” Jackson notes it’s where he experienced his most profound artistic moments. He hopes to create new impactful experiences upon his return. Many original cast members, including Jackson, were relatively unknown before the show, including Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Okieriete Onaodowan, Anthony Ramos, and Phillipa Soo.
Jackson, known for the song “Washington on Your Side,” will perform numbers like “Right Hand Man,” “History Has Its Eyes on You,” and “Yorktown.” He acknowledges the challenge of regaining the muscle memory needed for the role. However, benefits include his children viewing him as young adults in this iconic role, and familiarity with the theater logistics, like the locations of amenities and parking.
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