Mandy Gonzalez to star in Hamilton on Broadway; further casting announced for Chicago production

Mandy Gonzalez will star as Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway production of Hamilton.

Gonzalez will take over from Tony winner Renée Elise Goldsberry in October (date TBC).

Gonzalez originated the role of Nina in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical In The Heights and famously played Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway. She can currently be seen on screen in Madam Secretary and Quantico.

The Broadway production of Hamilton recently welcomed Lexi Lawson as Eliza Hamilton and Michael Luwoye as alternate Hamilton whilst former alternate Hamilton Javier Muñoz took over the role full-time. Brandon Victor Dixon is joining the company as Aaron Burr in mid-August. 

GOSSIP: Meryl Streep to star alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda & Emily Blunt in Mary Poppins Returns?

According to Variety, Meryl Streep is in talks to star in the upcoming film Mary Poppins Returns.

Reports suggest that Streep will play the role of Poppins' cousin, Topsy, a supporting character that wasn't in the 1964 classic. Streep would also sing for the part.

As previously announced, the sequel to Disney’s 1964 film Mary Poppins will star Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt. The film's U.S. release date has been set for 25th December 2018.

The film will be helmed by Rob Marshall, with screenplay by David Magee based on The Mary Poppins Stories by P.L. Travers. Marc Shaiman will compose an all-new score, writing original songs with Scott Wittman.

Javier Muñoz taking over from Lin-Manuel Miranda in Hamilton!

I'm not throwing away my shot! It has been confirmed that Javier Muñoz will take over from Lin-Manuel Miranda as the title role in Hamilton on Broadway!

Muñoz, who currently alternates the role, will play his first performance as lead on 11th July 2016. Miranda's final performance is set for 9th July 2016.

History is repeating itself as Muñoz also previously understudied Miranda in In the Heights on Broadway before taking over as Usnavi full time when Miranda departed the production.

VIDEO: Lin-Manuel Miranda & Audra McDonald do Broadway Carpool Karaoke with James Corden!

This Sunday (12th June), James Corden is hosting the 2016 Tony Awards. It only seemed right that he called on Lin-Manuel Miranda, Audra McDonald, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jane Krakowski to help him get to work...

Details confirmed for Mary Poppins Returns starring Lin-Manuel Miranda & Emily Blunt

Details have been confirmed for the upcoming movie Mary Poppins Returns. 

As previously announced, the sequel to Disney’s 1964 film Mary Poppins will star Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt. The film's U.S. release date has been set for 25th December 2018.

The film will be helmed by Rob Marshall, with screenplay by David Magee based on The Mary Poppins Stories by P.L. Travers. Marc Shaiman will compose an all-new score, writing original songs with Scott Wittman.

GOSSIP: Lin-Manuel Miranda won't star in London opening of Hamilton

According to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, Lin-Manuel Miranda won't star in his musical Hamilton when it opens at the Victoria Palace Theatre in the autumn of 2017.

However, Bamigboye reports that Miranda plans to join the cast later on in its run, perhaps in 2018 or 2019. Dates of the musical's London opening are expected to be officially confirmed over the next few weeks. 

Hamilton is directed by Thomas Kail with book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The show opened on Broadway last year to tremendous acclaim and is sold out for the rest of the year. 

It's official! Lin-Manuel Miranda joins Emily Blunt in new Mary Poppins film

It has been confirmed that Lin-Manuel Miranda will star alongside Emily Blunt in Disney’s new Mary Poppins film.

According to The Wrap, the Hamilton writer and star is confirmed to play lamplighter Jack (not to be confused with Bert). Blunt takes on the title role.

With Miranda currently writing songs for Disney’s upcoming film Moana, there is speculation that he could also write some material for the Mary Poppins film.

Directed by Rob Marshall (Into The Woods), it is reported that the film will be set in London around twenty years after the original story. Screenwriter David Magee (Finding Neverland) is penning the film whilst Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Smash/Hairspray) are composing a new score featuring original songs. 

GOSSIP: Lin-Manuel Miranda in talks to star in new Mary Poppins film

According to Variety, Hamilton writer and star Lin-Manuel Miranda is in talks to star in Disney’s new Mary Poppins film. 

As previously reported, Emily Blunt is in talks to play the title role in the sequel. Miranda could play a lamplighter Jack (not to be confused with Bert). 

With Miranda currently writing songs for Disney’s upcoming film Moana, there is speculation that he could also write some material for the Mary Poppins film.

Directed by Rob Marshall (Into The Woods), it is reported that the film will be set in London around twenty years after the original story. Screenwriter David Magee (Finding Neverland) is penning the film whilst Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Smash/Hairspray) are composing a new score featuring original songs. 

Review: In The Heights at the King's Cross Theatre

In The Heights
King's Cross Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 13th October 2015
★★★★★

Jade Ewen

Last May In The Heights set theatreland on fire when it made its UK premiere at the Southwark Playhouse. 

Seventeen months later Luke Sheppard's production has returned to London, playing in rep with The Railway Children at the newly built King's Cross Theatre. 

In The Heights is quite simply a musical like no other. With his new show Hamilton currently revolutionising Broadway, it seems audiences on both side of the pond can't get enough of Lin-Manuel Miranda. His writing hits you like a breath of fresh air and makes an almighty impression.

In The Heights, which premiered off-Broadway in 2007 before moving to the Great White Way for a triumphant three year run, provides a snapshot into the lives of an ensemble of characters living in the Washington Heights. Sacrifices are made, dreams are achieved and hearts are at risk of being broken. In The Heights is brought to life with energy and culture, introducing characters who aren't usually represented in musical theatre.

Jonathan Groff returning to Broadway

It has been announced that Jonathan Groff will continue to star as King George III when off-Broadway new musical Hamilton transfers to Broadway this summer. 

Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (In The Heights), Hamilton opens at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on 13th July 2015. Groff took over as King George at the Public Theater when Brian d’Arcy James was cast in Something Rotten. 

Groff previously starred in Spring Awakening on Broadway. His off-Broadway credits include Hair, The Submission, The Singing Forest and Prayer for My Enemy. He starred in Deathtrap in the West End and recently appeared in a concert staging of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at the Royal Festival Hall. His screen credits include HBO, Glee and Frozen.