#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
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#488: Jennifer Simard // Part One
The multi-talented Jennifer Simard is on the pod! Can you believe?! The three-time Tony nominated star of Death Becomes Her on Broadway AND bonafide TikTok sensation was generous enough to chat with me for so long that she has *two* episodes. Unreal. This week, Jennifer tells me her Hamilton story, talks about the beauty and madness of Tony season (especially when she was first nominated in 2016), explains the panic of realizing she had onstage seating for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, and makes an extremely compelling pitch for why she should play King George III. Plus, Jennifer talks about her journey as Helen Sharp in Death Becomes Her, from her first reading to opening night and beyond, including how grateful she is for the fantastic team (both on and offstage!) that makes the campy magic that the audience absolutely loves being in on. 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
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#487: Daniel Pollack-Pelzner // Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist // Part Three
As I wrap up with author Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, we have a first for the pod! A Patreon Peep is taking questions from his fellow Peeps! The deep dive continues as Daniel shares more stories that didn't make the book (Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist) and even tells us more details about things that *did* make the book. Plus, Daniel nerds out about Shakespeare, talks about his incredibly inspiring students and why "the future of the form is in good hands" (seriously, you will want to see these musicals YESTERDAY), and if you thought we were done talking about the nineties you have notttt been paying attention! Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist Daniel Pollack-Pelzner What Shakespeare Actually Did During the Plague (ARTICLE) Art + Medicine: What Shakespeare Actually Did During the Plague (VIDEO) Scrivener App (Not an ad! I don't do ads! It was mentioned!) Agustina San Martín Warriors /// 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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