The Stars of Hamilton and Hedwig and the Angry Inch Truly Believe Musical Theater Can Change Lives

John Cameron Mitchell and Javier Muñoz sit down for an episode of the Talkhouse Music Podcast.

By John Cameron Mitchell and Javier Muñoz

9:58 AM EDT on March 30, 2016

This episode of the Talkhouse Music Podcast — our first in a series of live recordings at New York’s Samsung 837 space — is a Broadway takeover. It features Hedwig and the Angry Inch co-creator and star John Cameron Mitchell in conversation with Javier Muñoz, who starred in In the Heights and is currently Lin-Manuel Miranda’s alternate in the runaway smash hit hip-hop musical, Hamilton.

These two truly believe musical theater can change lives and push society forward; their lives, and this talk, echo that sentiment.

Muñoz and Mitchell cover a lot in this conversation: rock & roll and hip-hop on Broadway, sure, but also Pussy Riot, New York City’s constant evolution, Glee, the way social media can inhibit artistic development, and David Bowie. Oh, they also discuss figuratively — and literally — peeing yourself on stage. You don’t want to miss this chat.
— Elia Einhorn, Talkhouse Podcast producer and engineer

John Cameron Mitchell and Javier Muñoz

John Cameron Mitchell is an actor, writer and director. He's the co-creator of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and originated the role both on Broadway and on film. Currently staring in Hamilton and sharing the title role with the show’s creator Lin Manuel Miranda, Javier Muñoz has had the great honor to perform the role for both the President of the United States and the First Lady. This is Javier’s second venture with Lin Manuel as he was also part of both the off Broadway and Broadway companies of In The Heights and the first to take over the role of Usnavi after Lin Manuel’s departure. Other selected credits: The Porch (Ziad) at Altered Stages; Venice (Venice) at Center Theatre Group; Two Gentlemen of Verona (a rock opera) (Proteus) at Shakespeare Theatre of DC; Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Richard III (Dorset) and Into The Woods (The Baker).