Playing Aaron Burr in ‘Hamilton’ is no stunt, Brady says

Wayne Brady clearly did not like being called an unusual casting choice for the role of Aaron Burr in the Chicago production of “Hamilton,” an assignment he begins Tuesday night at Chicago’s PrivateBank Theatre.

“Why do you say that?” the actor asked, talking by phone as he made his way to one of his precious few rehearsals with the Chicago cast — of which he soon will be a member.

It seemed to me an obvious observation — Brady is a bona fide household name, thanks mostly to his hosting duties on “Let’s Make a Deal” and a long run on “Whose Line is it Anyway?” By 2001, he was sufficiently known to get his own daytime talk show on ABC. It lasted for two seasons, but was highly regarded in the industry. In 2002, he hosted “Miss America.” He has been a frequent guest star on “The Drew Carey Show,” “How I Met Your Mother” and many other shows. He has voiced characters in several animated movies. He has released two studio albums, including one aimed at kids. He is not staying in Chicago in your standard actor housing.

Not only is that not your usual profile for an actor replacing an original cast member in the second production of a musical, but the circumstances of this interview were unusual. A tense publicist was on the line listening in and anxious to cut things short. These are all the standard rules of La La Land engagement for TV stars like Brady, but far more unusual for an actor in a stage show in Chicago, where conversations tend to be longer and deeper.

They even are unusual circumstances for “Hamilton,” a show that, aside from its creator, LinManuel Miranda, has never before cast anybody you might reasonably term even a demicelebrity (to borrow a term coined by actress Sherie Rene Scott).

That’s before the gig. After is a whole other matter.

Even the amount of time you have to see Brady as Burr is unusual. A busy guy (see above), “That was very telling he’s doing the show only for me,” Brady said. through April 9. Musicals “When I started working like “Hamilton” generally on TV, I didn’t feel prefer six-month or yearlong the need to be super outspoken contracts. Especially about anything. I for stars. didn’t want anything to

So, I said, that is what distract from my work as makes him very unusual an actor. As I got older I in my book. learned you sometimes

“I don’t think of myself have to use your platform as an unusual choice but a to make noise. That well-qualified choice who is what Burr learns. You happens to be known,” know, he is in many ways Brady said. “This is not a very sympathetic character. stunt casting. ‘Hamilton’ He tries to stop the does not need stunt casting. duel. He looks after Hamilton, You and I both know even though Hamilton that the show was rolling throws his philosophy along fine with people up in his face. who are just good at their Brady clearly sees himself jobs.” in Burr — and since All true. Miranda clearly saw “I auditioned like anyone himself in Hamilton, else,” Brady said. “I that made one yet more really wanted this role. eager to see Miranda play I’ve wanted to do it ever opposite Brady. Maybe since I saw Leslie (Odom that will happen. Don’t Jr.) do it. I am unusual hold your breath. In the only in that I am the performer-singer-danceractor-dancer meantime, Chicago may be the first city to explore you need an interesting meta-truth to do this role. I’ve got already baked into the to kick a—. This is a great show. piece of American art, Aaron Burr as an exploration especially in this day and of the costs of age. It is important. I just mainstream fame. Now want to be part of the cast. played by one who knows. This already has been a Interesting. life-changing experience Of course, Brady has for me, and I’ve not even to follow the magnificent gone on yet.” (yet much less famous)

All fair enough. Did it Joshua Henry in the role have to be Burr? in Chicago. Taking over

“Yes. There is no other from the acclaimed is role that suits what I particularly another thing stars generally can do.” avoid. Not this

And then Brady got man. Not for this show. very interesting, talking “Don’t you write stories about how he saw in Burr in the same newspaper a reflection of his own as writers who have self as a young AfricanAmerican won a Pulitzer?” Brady man making his said. way in Los Angeles show Touche. business, trying to figure “I think Joshua Henry out how much to speak was incredible in the role. up and how much just to I do what I do too.” keep smiling at the suits. Just for these few weeks In the show, Burr, a pragmatist, in Chicago? tells Alexander “Cart before the horse. Hamilton, a sometimes But I am in the family insufferable wonk, to talk now.” less and smile more. TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE