Leslie Odom Jr. Reflects on Hamilton and Teases His ‘Great Part’ in Sopranos Prequel

Posted On Jan 20, 2020 By admin With Comments Off

Since leaving the cast of Hamilton in July 2016, Leslie Odom Jr . has done pretty much everything except … slow down.

He’s starred in several cinemas, including his latest, Harriet( about the life of Harriet Tubman opposite Cynthia Erivo ), recorded two albums, including his latest, Mr ., guested on various TV demo, including The Good Wife, and became a dad to daughter Lucy, 2, with wife Nicolette Robinson.

Part of his success, he tells PEOPLE, is always being ready for that minute, the call that can change your life. For him, it came from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the make of Hamilton.

“I knew that it was the freshest, most literate, most exciting piece of original material I’d ever been given, ” Odom Jr ., 38, says. “I was ready for what he was potentially asking me to be a part of.”

The first time he examined the score, he withdraws: “It is what falling in love feels like. Twenty-five seconds into it, I was in the tank for it and I never in a million years visualized I would be in the show.”

When he got the chance to audition for the role of Aaron Burr, he says, “I wanted to do something memorable. I wanted it to be difficult for them to call somebody else. It’s my job to go in now and spawn Lin never want to see another Aaron Burr.”

The rest is Broadway history. Odom Jr.’s portrayal of Burr, for over 500 performances, triumphed him a Tony in 2016 and a Grammy( for Best Musical Theater Album) and propelled his wide-ranging career.

Now, in addition to his sexy brand-new recording, Mr ., comprised of original chorus, Odom also has an upcoming tour .

“If I’m known at all as a vocalist, it’s chiefly as an translator of other people’s music, on Broadway or Nationwide jingles, ” says Odom who appeared in the 2016 Nationwide commercial-grade. “So it was a little scary to step out on faith. But my wildest dreams came true-blue a while ago and so now I’m trying to think of the next shocking thing to do. What else do you do, right? ”

For starters, he recently connected the board of the Princess Grace Foundation USA. The radical, which grants scholarships to surfacing artists, facilitated him offer his college tuition back when he was a struggling student at Carnegie Mellon University.

Now he’s paying it forward by helping the foundation support young musicians and raise money by causing occasional private concerts. At a recent concert, held a total of the dwelling of PGF-USA contributors Roy and Jenny Niederhoffer, Odom joked with the clients, “I just want to make a good return on their investment.”

He likewise told a storey about when his wife, Nicolette Robinson, vocalist and Broadway star of Waitress, utilized( and received) a Princess Grace Foundation grant when she was a student at the University of California, Los Angeles.

They heard the information when they were on a trip to Palm Springs, California. “A 212 quantity was put forward, ” Odom told the clients. “And I to say good things comes here 212.’ Answer all 212 lists! Is wrong with you? That could be Broadway calling! ’ And we called back and it was Princess Grace Foundation with good news.”

In the brand-new time, Odom will be on the big screen again in the Sopranos movie, The Many Saints of Newark, out in September 2020.( The movie is about a young Tony Soprano played by James Gandolfini’s son, Michael, 20.) But he’s not allowed to say too much about it — yet. “I can’t talk about it but I have a great segment, ” he says with a smile. “They’re super protective of that franchise.”

Between screen, theatre and song, Odom has a big year ahead.

One of his biggest love is Princess Grace’s nephew Chris Le Vine. “His voice is splendid and he makes everyone in the chamber feel good, ” says Le Wine, who’s also on the board of PGF-USA. “He just impedes getting better and we’ve been applauding him from the sidelines for a long time. One date, he’ll sell out Madison Square Garden.”