1. Michael Luwoye is an American actor of Nigerian descent, known for playing the title role in the Broadway musical Hamilton.
15 Facts About Michael Luwoye
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Michael Luwoye was born in Huntsville, Alabama, the youngest of four children born to immigrants from Nigeria who settled in Alabama in the 1980s.
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Michael Luwoye's mother was an engineer, and his father became the owner of a wholesale ice cream distribution business.
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An artistic child, Luwoye drew and wrote journals, and learned to play guitar.
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Michael Luwoye learned music theory and composition while attending Lee High School in Huntsville.
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Michael Luwoye became interested in theatre during his junior year at the University of Alabama.
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In regional theatre, Michael Luwoye has performed in Cardboard Piano, Marley, Witness Uganda, Tick, Tick.
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In 2016, Michael Luwoye auditioned for the role of Hercules Mulligan in the Broadway production of Hamilton, but unexpectedly was offered the title role.
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Michael Luwoye began rehearsals June 14,2016, and took over on August 2,2016, as the alternate to Javier Munoz for the role of Alexander Hamilton, following Lin-Manuel Miranda's departure from the show.
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Michael Luwoye became the first black actor to take on the role of Hamilton.
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Michael Luwoye was the understudy for the role of Aaron Burr, which he first performed two months later, on October 4,2016.
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On November 16,2016, Michael Luwoye notably played Hamilton in the matinee before playing Burr in the evening performance.
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Michael Luwoye was given the title role in Hamiltons national touring company, beginning in March 2017 with a 21-week engagement in San Francisco, followed by 21 weeks in Los Angeles, concluding at the Pantages Theatre on December 30,2017.
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Michael Luwoye returned to Broadway in the title role of Hamilton on January 16,2018.
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In November 2017, Michael Luwoye appeared in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm called "The Shucker", in which he was shown playing the role of Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton.