Currently staring in Hamilton in the title role, Javier Muñoz has had the great honor to perform the role for both former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. This is Javier’s second venture with Lin-Manuel Miranda as he was also part of both the off Broadway and Broadway companies of In The Heights and the first to take over the role of Usnavi after Lin-Manuel’s departure. Other selected credits: The Porch (Ziad) at Altered Stages; Venice (Venice) at Center Theatre Group; Two Gentlemen of Verona (a rock opera) (Proteus) at Shakespeare Theatre of DC; Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Richard III (Dorset) and Into The Woods (The Baker).
The Talkhouse will be continuing our series of live podcasts at the new Samsung 837 space in New York (837 Washington Street) on Wednesday, March 23, with Javier Muñoz of Hamilton and John Cameron Mitchell of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. If you’re in New York, you can come down and watch the two converse from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (we also heard tell of free pastries and coffee). For those of you elsewhere, keep an eye on the Talkhouse — we’ll be posting the podcast soon. In the meantime, let Muñoz tell you how he feels about the impending talk below.
— the editors of the Talkhouse Music
When I received word that I would be meeting and talking with John Cameron Mitchell of Hedwig and the Angry Inch for the Talkhouse Music Podcast, an audible squeal of childlike joy emerged from my gut — and I was super thankful that no one was around to witness it. I was even more thankful when I turned hot beet red from having a complete fanboy moment.
I was nineteen and dancing at a New York bar/club called SqueezeBox! when JCM arrived in full drag to perform what I would later realize was material from Hedwig. Yup. I was there in that space with him and witnessing the birth of what would lead me to become deeply inspired as an artist and a young gay man. John Cameron Mitchell has been a source of artistic integrity, authenticity, honest bravery, charm, wit and craftsmanship for me. JCM’s music inspired me to start writing poetry, which I so rarely share with others. (Although I am currently slowly putting together what will be my first book.) His presence in this industry has, for me, been one of positive representation.
So I am pretty excited to meet and talk with JCM on Wednesday. I’ll try not to ask dumb questions, but I can’t make any promises.
Sincerely
Nineteen-year-old fanboy/forty-year-old artist
Javier Muñoz
