Leslie Odom Jr. to return to Hamilton after mid-show West End exit
A Hamilton spokesperson told Variety that Leslie Odom Jr. will return Friday after leaving Thursday’s London matinee after act one.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
Leslie Odom Jr. Hamilton fans in London should see the Tony winner back onstage Friday night after he left a West End performance partway through Thursday, according to Variety.
Odom, who is reprising his role as Aaron Burr in the London production, exited after the first act of Thursday’s matinee, Variety reported. Manaia Glassey-Ohlson took over the role for the rest of that performance.
Odom also did not appear in Thursday evening’s show, according to Variety. A spokesperson for “Hamilton” confirmed to the outlet that he is expected to return for the Friday evening performance, but did not give a reason for the mid-show exit.
Why did Leslie Odom Jr. leave Hamilton?
No explanation has been given publicly. Variety reported that a “Hamilton” spokesperson declined to discuss what prompted Odom’s departure from the Thursday matinee, while confirming his planned return for Friday night.
The brief absence landed during one of the buzziest theater runs of the summer. Odom is back in Burr’s shoes for a limited engagement at the Victoria Palace Theatre, running from July 3 through Sept. 5, according to Variety.
His return is a major draw because he created the role in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical off-Broadway in 2014, then moved with the production to Broadway in 2015. Odom left the show in 2016 after winning the Tony Award for best actor.
Variety reported that Odom did not return to the role until last fall, when he played Burr again on Broadway for a limited run. His London stint was confirmed earlier this year.
Who is in the West End cast with Leslie Odom Jr.?
In the London company, Odom appears alongside Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as Alexander Hamilton, Akmed Junior Khemalai as George Washington and Daniel Boys as King George III, according to Variety.
Odom is also scheduled to miss Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as part of a long-planned break, Variety reported. Ticket buyers selecting those performances are warned that he will not be appearing.
Those Monday through Wednesday performances are currently the only dates during Odom’s limited London run with tickets still available, according to Variety.
The tickets are not cheap. Variety reported that prices start at £128, about $170, and rise to £500.
Some theatergoers who had hoped to see Odom shared disappointment on the production’s Instagram page while also expressing concern for the performer. One commenter wrote that they were “so gutted” after traveling six hours and spending £200. Another said they had flown in from Germany and planned a trip around the ticket, adding that they hoped he was OK.
For now, the official word is short and reassuring for Friday ticket holders: Odom is due back at the Victoria Palace Theatre tonight.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.