Jennifer Simard is back for round two and I do not at all regret to inform you that this is now a First Wives Club fan podcast.

As she takes questions from the Patreon Peeps, Jennifer talks a lot about her process as Helen Sharp in Death Becomes Her, from respecting the source material without doing a Goldie Hawn impression to staying true to the story that is in front of her (the script on a Broadway stage as opposed to the movie from 1992). Jennifer also dives into the what she calls "the real nougaty center of comedy" which is, say it with me! Pain! Darkness! Tragedy! I mean, come on, that's where the good stuff is! Why? Because all of those things come back to the truth. Oh hey did you know betrayal therapy is a thing? It sure is, and if Jennifer wasn't a multi-faceted and unbelievably talented performer, she'd probably be studying that area of psychology. 

Don't worry, we still have fun this week! Jennifer unabashedly loves television and talks about the people and shows she loves: Carol Burnett, Laverne and Shirley, Columbo (Peter Falk), Madeline Kahn, and an interesting tidbit about Carol Channing when she stopped by Forbidden Broadway in the nineties. 

Jennifer Simard on TikTok

Jennifer Simard on Instagram

Jennifer Simard sings "You'll Be Back" as Hamilton's King George III

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The multi-talented Jennifer Simard is on the pod! Can you believe?! The three-time Tony nominated star of Death Becomes Her on Broadway AND bonafide TikTok sensation was generous enough to chat with me for so long that she has *two* episodes. Unreal. 

This week, Jennifer tells me her Hamilton story, talks about the beauty and madness of Tony season (especially when she was first nominated in 2016), explains the panic of realizing she had onstage seating for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, and makes an extremely compelling pitch for why she should play King George III. 

Plus, Jennifer talks about her journey as Helen Sharp in Death Becomes Her, from her first reading to opening night and beyond, including how grateful she is for the fantastic team (both on and offstage!) that makes the campy magic that the audience absolutely loves being in on.

Jennifer Simard on TikTok

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Jennifer Simard sings "You'll Be Back" as Hamilton's King George III

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As I wrap up with author Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, we have a first for the pod! A Patreon Peep is taking questions from his fellow Peeps! The deep dive continues as Daniel shares more stories that didn’t make the book (Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist) and even tells us more details about things that *did* make the book. Plus, Daniel nerds out about Shakespeare, talks about his incredibly inspiring students and why "the future of the form is in good hands" (seriously, you will want to see these musicals YESTERDAY), and if you thought we were done talking about the nineties you have notttt been paying attention!

Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist

Daniel Pollack-Pelzner

What Shakespeare Actually Did During the Plague (ARTICLE)

Art + Medicine: What Shakespeare Actually Did During the Plague (VIDEO)

Scrivener App (Not an ad! I don't do ads! It was mentioned!)

Agustina San Martín

Warriors

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Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, cultural omnivore and author of Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist, is back for round two and the deep dive continues!

This week, Daniel tells us all about the time Stephen Sondheim visited Lin’s high school dished the dirt about West Side Story with a room full of teenage theatre kids. That's where Lin learned that not even Sondheim nails it on the first try, and the messy process can lead to something even better than the original. That could be its own episode but hell no there's so much more going on this week! Among other things Daniel talks about what *he* learned while writing the book, the power of a great cliffhanger (seriously, you'll get chills!), and the importance of finding your field of other people in bee costumes. Ahem... I trust you’ll understand the reference to the 90’s lore without my having to name that tune.

Plus, Daniel fills is in about his work on Mary Kathryn Nagle's upcoming (and currently untitled) documentary film on tribal consulting tribal sovereignty in law and theater, and the often-overlooked epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).

Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist

Daniel Pollack-Pelzner

Hollywood: An Oral History by Jeanine Basinger and Sam Wasson

Blind Melon - No Rain

Mary Kathryn Nagle Changes the Story, in Court and Onstage by Daniel Pollack-Pelzner

The MMIW Project

Manahatta by Mary Kathryn Nagel

Sliver of a Full Moon 2022: Live Performance and Panel Discussion

Sliver of a Full Moon || Radcliffe Institute

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

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Daniel Pollack-Pelzner is an award winning author, educator, and bonafide fan of culture, Shakespeare, musicals, and artists. His new book, Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist, is part biography, part deep dive, and part oral history. It’s also a very beautiful (and honest!) tribute to Lin-Manuel and all the people and steps involved in the journey to who he is today.

But if you think this is a boring stop on a press tour, think again! Daniel has been a Patreon Peep of The Hamilcast since 2018 and after years of writing about Hamilton’s cultural impact and then talking to over 150 people about Lin-Manuel Miranda for this book, he has three amazing episodes packed with story after story after story.

This week, Daniel talks about the origin story of the book, pitching the idea to Lin-Manuel, Lin’s high school screenplay about the Hamilton-Burr duel, and why LMM’s one request was that the first person to be interviewed be his mother, Luz Towns-Miranda. She is a renowned psychologist (with a focus on children and family), and her acceptance of young Lin's empathy and sensitivity became an undeniable cornerstone of his creative expression. On behalf of all of us, I say: thank you, Luz!

Over the years, Daniel has had a lot of connections to Hamilton the show, Hamilton the person, and Lin-Manuel Miranda himself. From Joanne Freeman: Badass Historian™ to knowing old high school girlfriends, it’s clear this whole thing is enthusiastically approved by The Universe.

Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist

Daniel Pollack-Pelzner

21 Chump Street

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We're wrapping up Tyler McKenzie's episodes as he continues to take questions from the Patreon Peeps. Tyler talks about his special bond with the Charlotte arts community, his experience go-go dancing for the legendary Trixie Mattel, and we won't call it a comeback but Janet Jackson is performing again and you need to get yourself there to experience it.

We also had to take some time to discuss the pure magic that was the start of the Philip Tour. It was such a moment in time and it was very, very special for a lot of people - and not just for the people in it. For Tyler, the Philip Company will always be home, and he talks a lot about community, boundaries, and relationships *outside* of work.

This is still a series about reflection so Tyler very honestly talks about what it's like to leave a show that wasn't just artistically fulfilling, challenging in all the ways, and an unparalleled learning experience but let's get real: he spent eight years answering that horrifying "so what are you up to?!" question by saying: "I'm in Hamilton." I mean come on! That's one of the biggest flexes there is! But now Tyler is left wondering: who is he without Hamilton? How does he feel significant and strong without using a brand? The good news is that this recording is not Tyler's first time reflecting or meditating on any of these questions so don't worry, there's a plan and it's an awesome. (Two hints: Bali and yoga).

Tyler on Instagram

http://www.tylermckenzie.net/

#106: I’m not falling behind or running late

#130: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Two

#131: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Three

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Tyler McKenzie is back for round two! Tyler just wrapped up an eight year journey with Hamilton, starting as a swing on Broadway for six months and then spending the rest of his time as a Universal Swing and the Dance Captain of the Philip Tour. Make no mistake, Tyler was traveling all over the place, but as an original member of that now-famous (infamous?) Philip Company, "Philip will always be home."

This week, Tyler talks about embracing his role as a teacher and a leader, which is absolutely pivotal when you're the dance captain. His teaching philosophy is simple: he understands that every performer learns differently. It's simple, but it feels rare! Tyler rightfully sees his ability create a safe space as his superpower, and he explains how he loves allowing dancers to learn, question, grow, and be as authentic as possible.

It was wild to hear about how he was able to find all *kinds* of stability when his phone could ring at any moment telling him he needs to get on a plane tomorrow morning to dive headfirst into another COVID outbreak. No but seriously that happened ALL THE TIME. From marrying his husband Dallin to buying a home, Tyler explains how important it is to always remember that it's all still a business and you need to keep your eye on that, always.

With Tyler, the possibilities are endless, but there's at least one thing on his mind right now: "Who wants to Blacken up yoga?! Let's do it!"

Tyler on Instagram

http://www.tylermckenzie.net/

#106: I’m not falling behind or running late

#130: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Two

#131: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Three

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Tyler McKenzie is back on the podcast! Tyler joined Hamilton Broadway in 2017 and only had one week off before starting rehearsals for the yet to be revealed Philip Company. He graciously spent his first night off with me, recording his first episode of The Hamilcast. Tyler would join me once again when Mike and I had a party with some members of the Philip Company in Vegas in 2018. Today, Tyler wanted to come back on the podcast to reflect on his eight year journey with Hamilton. We recorded this at the end of May 2025, just days before his final performance on tour... in Las Vegas.

Tyler went from Hamilton Broadway to an original member of Philip, and during his time on tour he went from a swing to a universal swing to being both a universal swing *and* the dance captain of the Philip company. So yes, there is a lot to unpack. Not to mention that during the COVID lockdown, Tyler worked as a professor at Penn State teaching dance and musical theatre, and using this platform to hire his fellow performers when they needed it most.

This week, Tyler reflects on his Hamilton journey from his initial audition process up through his final role as a teacher and a leader with the Hamilton crew, including flying all over the place "saving the day" when companies were dealing with COVID outbreaks in 2021. But as you'll learn, Tyler is an excellent leader and teacher. He's all about solutions and adapting to what is in front of him to get the best out of the situation.

Tyler on Instagram

http://www.tylermckenzie.net/

#106: I’m not falling behind or running late

#130: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Two

#131: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Three

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The news is out! After nearly ten years and what will be 500 episodes, The Hamilcast will be coming to an end on January 26th, 2026, the podcast’s official ten-year anniversary. While the community isn’t going anywhere and the archive will always remain available, the weekly episodes you’ve come to expect will soon be wrapping up. Until then, this is going to be a PARTY. Let's celebrate this journey with memories, special events, plus a few repeat episodes to bring things full circle and look back on some extraordinary moments on the pod. While there is plenty of time to get emotional, I do want to make sure that I say I've loved making this show for you for all these years. Thank you for always being excited about things with me. It's been such a fantastic ride and I'm so happy to be celebrating with you.

As we kick off the final stretch of The Hamilcast, let’s revisit when we fanned that spark into a flame, otherwise known as the time Lin-Manuel Miranda came over and ate popcorn with me and Mike for four hours while drinking a custom cocktail inspired by the bodegas of Washington Heights.

We’re going back to October 2017, when Lin-Manuel Miranda himself first joined me on the podcast. It all started with a Twitter DM, which led to Lin visiting my tiny New York City apartment (slanted floors, whistling toilet, the works) to record one of the biggest conversations of my life. It was a monumental moment for me, for the podcast, and for the listeners. What followed became known as #Lintoberfest: five episodes filled with the excitement, stories, and rare audio from that unforgettable day.

Below you’ll find today’s relevant links including the rest of Lin’s episodes, as well as the original description from when Episode 88 originally dropped in 2017.

Playbill Exclusive: After a Decade, The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast Will Drop Final Episode in 2026

Aaron Burr Panel at the South Street Seaport

/// Lin-Manuel Miranda on The Hamilcast (so far) /// 

#88: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part One

#89: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Two

#90: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Three

#91: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Four // The B-Sides

#92: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Five // The B-Sides

#225: Lin-Manuel Miranda Returns! // Part One

#226: Lin-Manuel Miranda Returns! // Part Two

/// Original description and links from October 1st, 2017 ///

Lin-Manuel Miranda came over to my apartment and we had so much fun that I have FIVE episodes for you! Welcome to #Lintoberfest, with my husband Michael Paul Smith joining me for these episodes. In Part One, I try to get over the fact that Lin is recording in my living room – spoiler! I don’t! – But regardless, we tell the story of how Lin ended up on the podcast, details of the early days of Hamilton, why Lin is a Hamilton/Burr hybrid, and quote The West Wing a LOT. We also eat popcorn and drink the Spark Into a Flame cocktail, made especially for Lin and inspired by his Inwood, NYC roots. Stay tuned for four more episodes: two more with Lin and then the Lin B-Sides which will be outtakes, non-sequiturs, and commentary by me and Mike (you know Mike). And no, I’m still not over the fact that this happened! No chill whatsoever!

To help Puerto Rico:https://hispanicfederation.org/donate

Donate to disaster relief:List of charities to donate to victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and MariaBaker RipleyOne America AppealThe Humane Society

Previous episodes referenced:Shockwave Part OneShockwave Part TwoMandy GonzalezIan Weinberger Part OneIan Weinberger Part Two

Episode Transcript

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LinManuel.com

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Desmond Sean Ellington is back for round two to further show that if you have to chase something, it’s probably not for you. This week, Desmond reflects on his five years touring with Hamilton as a standby and how he used what he learned making his Broadway debut in Hell’s Kitchen (after starting with the show down at The Public).

As he continues to spread the Gospel of Surrender™, Desmond expands on his Hell’s Kitchen experience including how and why he turned down a chance to go back to Hamilton (hint: Broadway was calling!). Desmond also talks about being a firm believer that we all have the power to create the world we want to live in, why his unconventional way of finding his passion continues the cycle of representation, and reminds us to stay kind because that’s really what it’s all about anyway. 

Plus, Desmond walks us through going craaaazy viral with his “One Last Time” soundcheck (if you haven’t heard it before GET READY it’s so good), how seeing Satisfied for the first time made him want to shoot up out of his seat like a rocket, and lets us in on tiny Hamilton moments where he connected with his fellow actors on stage.

Desmond Sean Ellington on Instagram

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