Principal Cast Members on Opening Night
The original Broadway production of Hamilton opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on August 6, 2015, with a defined principal ensemble that shaped the show’s breakout success. This lineup performed the show’s landmark run leading to 16 Tony nominations and the historic win of 11 competitive Tonys. The principal actors below are documented in the show’s official Playbill and major coverage from the show’s opening period.
| Role | Original Broadway Actor | Notable Credit Context |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Hamilton | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Book, music, lyrics; creator |
| Aaron Burr | Leslie Odom Jr. | Previously starred in the Vassar workshop |
| Eliza Hamilton | Phillipa Soo | First actress to originate the role |
| Angelica Schuyler | Renée Elise Goldsberry | Later won a Grammy for the role |
| Marquis de Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson | Daveed Diggs | Also originated the role of James Madison |
| George Washington | Corey Hawkins | Joined after the Vassar workshop |
| John Laurens / Philip Hamilton | Javier Muñoz | Also understudied Hamilton |
| Lafayette / Cornwallis | Okieriete Onaodowan | Later reduced role as alternate for Washington |
| Mulligan / Madison | Christopher Jackson | Performed through the opening cast |
| Peggy Schuyler / Maria Reynolds | Jasmine Cephas Jones | One of the ensemble’s breakthrough turns |
| Kitty, Maria, Elizabeth | Lexi Lawson | Part of principal ensemble in the opening cast |
| Helena, Abigail, Martha | Sydney James Harcourt | Ensemble member in the original production |
| Ensemble / Understudies | Carleigh Bettiol | Notable understudy and swing in the original company |
Core Lineup at Opening Night
On August 6, 2015, the principal company maintained the same core across acts, with described performers taking two distinct roles: Daveed Diggs played Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson; Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr; Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; and Phillipa Soo as Eliza. This group retained their principal responsibilities for the duration of the original run. The ensemble also featured Renée Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler), Christopher Jackson (Mulligan / Madison), and Okieriete Onaodowan (Lafayette / Cornwallis).
Vassar Workshop Origins and Transition to Broadway
Before opening on Broadway, Hamilton premiered at the Vassar College Powerhouse Theater in December 2013, in a limited workshop production directed by Thomas Kail. The Vassar cast was similar but not identical to the Broadway lineup; key differences included early casting choices and ensemble composition. The show’s move from the workshop to the Off-Broadway production at The Public Theater in early 2015, and then to Broadway, refined roles and expanded the ensemble while retaining the central group of Miranda, Odom Jr., Soo, Diggs, and others.
Vassar Workshop vs. Broadway Opening Cast
The public workshop in 2013 featured Lin-Manuel Miranda as Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr. as Burr, and Phillipa Soo as Eliza. By the time the show reached Broadway, Daveed Diggs and Corey Hawkins joined as Lafayette/Jefferson and Washington, respectively, and Renée Elise Goldsberry and Christopher Jackson took on expanded roles. This transition illustrates a deliberate evolution of the cast without replacing its foundational talent.
Broadway Opening Night Details
On August 6, 2015, the show launched at the Richard Rodgers Theatre with a company built around a tight ensemble and rotating dual roles. The press described a cast led by Miranda with a strength drawn from each performer’s ownership of historically resonant characters. The production’s layered casting—where ensemble members like Jaboukie Young-White and others contributed in both acting and musical roles—became a blueprint for subsequent touring and international productions.
Post-Opening Changes and Successors
After the original Broadway run, several original cast members moved to other projects or were succeeded by new performers. Leslie Odom Jr. departed the production in early 2016, and was succeeded by Daveed Diggs temporarily in the dual role before a permanent alternate was named. Similarly, Phillipa Soo and Renée Elise Goldsberry maintained leading performances in later transfers and tours, while understudies like Arianna Rosario and others took on larger responsibilities within the show’s evolving company.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Final Performance and Legacy
Lin-Manuel Miranda performed his final show as Hamilton on July 9, 2016, after more than 1,000 performances. His departure marked the end of an era for the original company, but his foundational work in book, music, and performance established a lasting template. The ensemble he helped assemble continued to define performances worldwide, demonstrating the durability of the original company’s contributions to the show’s legacy.