Ever since the 2022 awards season began,West Side StorystarAriana DeBosehas been on a tear. For her role as Anita in the 2021 iteration, DeBose has bagged a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award—and the list doesn’t stop there. All eyes are now on the 94th Academy Awards, where DeBose is heavily favored to win Best Supporting Actress.
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Of course, this isn’t DeBose’s first rodeo with well-loved musicals. From 2015 to 2016, she was the Bullet waiting to strikeLin-Manuel Mirandain theBroadwaysmash-hitHamilton. Just as the show reached unprecedented heights as a worldwide phenomenon, its cast members skyrocketed to success as they moved to new ventures. Like DeBose, these breakout talents did notthrow away their shot.
Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Music Maestro
Hamiltonopens with a narrator wondering how a “bastard orphan” can rise to prominence as a Founding Father. That narrator is none other than Aaron Burr, brought to life in the original Broadway production byLeslie Odom, Jr.As Burr, Odom Jr. was the driving force behind the musical’s most memorable numbers (such as “The Room Where It Happens” and “Non-Stop”).
After his exit fromHamiltonin 2016, Odom Jr. continued to gain recognition for his acting and musical prowess. He bagged several awards for his performance in the 2020 dramaOne Night in Miami…, including the Critics' Choice Award for Best Song. In addition to numerous TV and film credits, Odom Jr. has released three studio albums and aninspirationalbook.
Phillipa Soo: The World’s Sweetheart
What’s not to love aboutPhillipa Soo? As Eliza Hamilton, Pippa melted hearts across the globe with her innocent charm and angelic voice. Being the emotional core of the play, she went from celebrating the joy offirst love(“Helpless”) to mourning the tragedy of broken trust (“Burn”).
Post-Hamilton, Pippa showcased even more dimensions of her brilliance. From 2017 to 2018, she continued to light up Broadway with her stint as the eccentric titular character inAmélie,as well as her portrayal of Rebecca inThe Parisian Woman.Thanks to the latter role, she was named Favorite Featured Actress in a Play at the 2018 Broadway.com Audience Awards.
Jasmine Cephas-Jones: An Unmistakable Star
EveryHamiltonfan remembers the ‘Eureka’ moment in which they realized that Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds were played by the same performer. Really, it’s becauseJasmine Cephas-Jonesmorphed into two entirely different personas. In Act 1, she was an upbeat, supportive little sister; in Act 2, she was a scandalous, possibly conspiratorial schemer.
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There was nothing scandalous, though, about her next big-time roles. In 2018’s critically acclaimedBlindspotting, Cephas-Jones portrayed a mother shielding her child from the threat of police brutality. Two years later, she won a Primetime Emmy for her role as Tyisha in the series#freerayshawn, which also explored themes of violence and survival.
Jon Rua: Ready, Aim, Dance
In Act 1, the song “Stay Alive” is a somber narrative of the Continental Army’s struggle to survive. Towards the end of the number, an indignant voice jolts the entire stage: “Washington cannot be left alone to his devices!” That voice belongs to erstwhile General Charles Lee, whose defiance spills over into the pulsating “Ten Duel Commandments.”
The role of Lee was originated byJon Rua, a performer who cannot be out-duelled on thedance floor. After hisHamiltonrun, Rua served as choreographer for multiple concerts of the band PHISH (including a sold-out 2019 gig at Madison Square Garden). He has also lent his expertise to major productions likeJesus Christ Superstar,The Cher Show, andSpongeBob SquarePants.
Jonathan Groff: Unlimited Royalty
Though he came out on the losing end of the Revolutionary War, King George III bowed to nobody inHamilton. This was largely thanks to a masterful, efficient performance byJonathan Groff.Appearing in just a handful of scenes, Groff made sure thateveryonewould be singing his songs in the car on the way home.
Though Groff already had his fill of star-making roles prior toHamilton, he certainly didn’t rest on his laurels. His portrayal of FBI agent Holden Ford inNetflix’sMindhunterdrew praise from critics, as well as the 2017 Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series. Groff was also hailed for his performance in the Off-Broadway revival ofLittle Shop of Horrors.Oh, and he also happens to beHugo Weaving’sheir apparent as Agent Smith inThe Matrix Resurrections.
Ephraim Sykes: Standing Out
For much ofHamilton,Ephraim Sykesis just like every other member of the ensemble: a powerful voice with mean dancing skills to boot. Then, in Act 2, he gets his moment to shine; as the menacing George Eacker, he emerges as the victor in a duel with the vengeful Philip Hamilton.
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It didn’t take long for Sykes to find more opportunities to stand out. In 2018, he played David Ruffin of The Temptations in the musicalAin’t Too Proud. This role earned Sykes nominations at the Tony Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Drama League Awards. He also bagged the Favorite Breakthrough Performance Award (male category) at the 2019 Broadway.com Audience Awards.
Sasha Hutchings: Making A Name For Herself
Shortly before the Eacker-Hamilton duel, Alexander’s eldest son was mingling with two ladies who were clearly smitten with him. One of them—unfortunately for Philip—was the Bullet herself. The other one was unnamed, though she managed to get a line out: “God, you’re a fox!”
Thankfully for her, the entertainment industry has come to recognize her talent and her name:Sasha Hutchings. Since departingHamilton, Hutchings has played Amelia in Netflix’sMaster of None, Kourtney inJessica Jones, and Annie Tran inAmazon Prime’sThe Dangerous Book for Boys.Recently, she has taken on the lead role of Laurey Williams in the Tony-winning revival ofOklahoma!(which is currently on a national tour).
Daveed Diggs: Getting The Job Done
Eliciting one strong emotion from an audience is one thing, but making them feel polar opposites is certainly another.Daveed Diggseffortlessly pulled this off in his dualHamiltonrole. When he first takes the stage, he is a lovable underdog who can spit triple-time rap verses. One act later, he generates hostile feelings from the crowd as he plots to take Ham down.
In his post-Hamiltoncareer, there is still no middle ground for Mr. Diggs—only undisputed triumphs. 2018’sBlindspotting, a critical success, was hisbaby. In 2021, he won Best Actor in an Action Series at the Critics' Choice Super Awards for his work in the TNT seriesSnowpiercer. Diggs has also amassed a prolific career with his hip hop group clipping., which has released four albums thus far.
Emmy Raver-Lampman: Everybody’s Hero
WhileRenéeElise Goldsberrywas always going to be a tough act to follow,Emmy Raver-Lampmancertainly kept in pace. Initially an understudy for all three Schuyler sisters, Raver-Lampman took on the role of Angelica duringHamilton’s first national tour in 2017. And guess what? The critics weresatisfiedwith her work.
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Raver-Lampman continued to land prominent roles after this stint. Among her TV and film credits, her best known role is the reality-bending Allison Hargreeves in Netflix’sThe Umbrella Academy. She has also taken over the role of Molly Tillerman in the animated sitcomCentral Park,which has been renewed for a third season.
WhenAnthony Ramosshouts “Showtime!” early on in the play, he immediately hooks the audience with his infectious enthusiasm. Ramos' eyes radiate unadulterated love for Hamilton, both asbosom friendJohn Laurens and firstborn son Philip. Small wonder, then, that the fans' own eyes brimmed with tears at the death of both characters.
OutsideHamilton, Ramos' career is very much alive as he is one of the fastest rising stars in Hollywood today. He continued to ooze charisma in his roles as Mars Blackmon in Netflix’sShe’s Gotta Have It, and Usnavi de la Vega in the film version ofIn the Heights. Ramos is also set to star inTransformers: Rise of the Beasts,as well as the upcoming Disney+ seriesIronheart.
