Time for another throwback! The truly effervescent Mandy Gonzalez came on the podcast in 2017 and gave new meaning to "I'm about to change your life." It was so important that she came on the show because, duh, she is THEEEEEEEE Mandy Gonzalez. Mandy was kind, gracious, and generous, and her recording was a big turning point in the life of The Hamilcast. It was a really, really big deal that she came over. And! This is the episode that made Lin-Manuel Miranda want to come on the podcast, so yeah, life changing status ACTIVATED. This is the full, untouched episode from 2017 and below is the original description. /// Calling all #FearlessSquad members (aka #SquadKicks): We have the one and only Mandy Gonzalez on the podcast this week! Mandy talks all things #FearlessSquad, what it's like playing Angelica in Hamilton on Broadway, her experience as Nina in In The Heights, the importance of having a fight within you, and why the world is a better place with Lin-Manuel Miranda in it. You will feel so motivated by the end of this episode! MandyGonzalez.com Mandy Gonzalez on Instagram Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mandy Gonzalez perform "Empire State of Mind" at Lincoln Center for "The Hamilton Mixtape"/American Songbook /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps
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Bonus B-Side: Back to Basics with Michael Paul Smith!
As The Hamilcast starts to wrap up, I couldn't end this thing without jumping on the mic with Michael Paul Smith and making a podcast love letter to every listener, guest, Patreon Peep, and cool experience from these last ten years. Of course I couldn't mention everything and even as I type this, I'm kicking myself for not going back and discussing every single episode and every single experience at length and with extreme detail. But this feels very self serving as it is (woof!) so please, if you're reading this, please know how much I love I have for this entire journey, and how much fun I've had with you. It has been the absolute best and even though we do get sappy at times in this very special bonus episode (no but literally, it's a Very Special Episode of The Hamilcast), I still want these last few weeks to be a PARTY. So grab your popcorn (wink!) and join us as we take this walk down memory lane and remember, to quote Thomas Kail, I made this show for you. Michael Paul Smith's website Michael Paul Smith on TikTok Michael Paul Smith on Instagram Ted and Michael Read Sketches into Microphones Fiona on Instagram /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps
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#491: Aaron Burr, Sir(s) // #HamilTEN Event at South Street Seaport
On August 21st, 2025, I hosted a #HamilTEN event where I was asked to moderate a conversation with five actors who have played Aaron Burr over the years: Nik Walker, Donald Webber Jr., Jared Dixon, Marc delaCruz, and Deon'te Goodman. It was extra fun because they are all my friends and have all appeared on the podcast! This is the full audio of our chat, including the first announcement about the ending of The Hamilcast. It won't be any surprise for you to learn that this conversation was *excellent.* All of these guys have so much insight and incredible things to say; we absolutely could have kept talking for a lot longer but with subways to catch and half hour calls to make, we were on a very strict deadline. We had deep dives on deep dives into Burr the person, Burr the character, and everything that comes with the massive responsibility of playing this role. We talked about if Burr is truly a villain or really just misunderstood (and kinda valid in his thought process?!), and learned about clues into the real Aaron Burr's psyche the night before the fateful duel against Alexander Hamilton (hint: handwriting!). Plus, fun details about performing the role onstage, how other characters can inform the way this one is played, and you can't have a conversation about A.Burr without going in on the dreaded table jump. Thank you again to everyone who came to the event, to Hamilton for asking me to do this, and to the wonderful guys sharing the mics with me. Nik Walker's episodes: 60, 61, 130, 131, 209, 210, 211 Donald Webber, Jr.'s episodes: 114, 115 Jared Dixon's episodes: 236, 237, 238, 276, 277 Marc delaCruz's episodes: 163, 164, 165 Deon'te Goodman's episodes: 205, 206 /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps
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#490: Renée Elise Goldsberry // Hamilton Broadway's Original Angelica Schuyler
Renée Elise Goldsberry is on the pod and yeah no there are no typos detected this actually happened! We covered so much ground and I am still in awe of what a warm, generous, honest, and thoughtful person Renée is. This episode is *packed.* Want to hear about her album Who I Really Am and what it was like to record it over four years and how Renée put her heart and soul into it? Done! How about her new Satisfied documentary, which is a deeply personal look into originating Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton while also raising small children and realizing she didn't have to choose because YEP we covered that, too. Oh hey maybe even Girls5Eva and a deep dive into Wickie Roy's whole vibe and (some of) her best lines and why women should never apologize for being ambitious? CHECKKKKK. Did I fangirl over Documentary Now!'s genius and hilarious Original Cast Album: Co-Op and tell Renée how often that episode is brought up on this podcast because we all love it so much? I SURE DID. #thebrownandthebeige #rooned Plus! Renée beautifully unpacks the dichotomy of her experiences as the last Mimi Marquez in Rent on Broadway and first Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton on Broadway. This really is such a fantastic conversation. We laughed, we got chills, and we made a date for ten years from now to "talk about what wonderful things have transpired." If you think it's not on my calendar for 2035 (with a reminder set for a year before) you don't know me at all. Renée Elise Goldsberry's website Renée Elise Goldsberry - "Who I Really Am" (Album) Renée Elise Goldsberry - "Satisfied" (Single) Renée Elise Goldsberry - "Staring" Documentary Now! Original Cast Album: Co-Op /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps
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#489: Jennifer Simard // Part Two
Jennifer Simard is back for round two and I do not at all regret to inform you that this is now a First Wives Club fan podcast. As she takes questions from the Patreon Peeps, Jennifer talks a lot about her process as Helen Sharp in Death Becomes Her, from respecting the source material without doing a Goldie Hawn impression to staying true to the story that is in front of her (the script on a Broadway stage as opposed to the movie from 1992). Jennifer also dives into the what she calls "the real nougaty center of comedy" which is, say it with me! Pain! Darkness! Tragedy! I mean, come on, that's where the good stuff is! Why? Because all of those things come back to the truth. Oh hey did you know betrayal therapy is a thing? It sure is, and if Jennifer wasn't a multi-faceted and unbelievably talented performer, she'd probably be studying that area of psychology. Don't worry, we still have fun this week! Jennifer unabashedly loves television and talks about the people and shows she loves: Carol Burnett, Laverne and Shirley, Columbo (Peter Falk), Madeline Kahn, and an interesting tidbit about Carol Channing when she stopped by Forbidden Broadway in the nineties. Jennifer Simard on TikTok Jennifer Simard on Instagram Jennifer Simard sings "You'll Be Back" as Hamilton's King George III /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps
In this podcast about all things Hamilton, host Gillian Pensavalle speaks with guests, and sometimes co-host/all time husband Michael Paul Smith, about the innerworkings of the show, how it came together, what it takes to put on all around the world, finding Hamilton references in everyday life, and much more. The Hamilcast has played host to every member of the original creative team, aka "The Cabinet", including repeat visits from Hamilton creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Hamilcast features interviews with cast members from every Hamilton tour, Broadway, and UK company--crew members, musicians, creatives, and the hard working people behind-the-scenes that keep the production alive. Plus: historians, super fans, celebrity Hamilton enthusiasts, and group cast recordings!
When I started this podcast in January of 2016, I could not have imagined the incredible community that has grown around the show and the amazing experiences that have come my way. Thank you to everyone who has listened, appeared on the show, contributed, or reached out in any way. This podcast is for you and I absolutely love making it.
If you have any great Ham stories or funny references that you've come across, let me know! Email TheHamilcast [at] gmail [dot] com, or contact me on social media @TheHamilcast. I also have a Patreon that has given rise to the loveliest corner of the internet, ever. You can learn more about how to be a part of that lovely corner, and how to submit questions to guests, and to be part of my monthly AMA's at https://www.patreon.com/TheHamilcast
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