The Talented Mr. DelaCruz
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Marc DelaCruz (Photo by Frank Louis)
Marc delaCruz is the first Filipino American to play the titular character of the runaway hip-hop musical “Hamilton.” He’s also the first Fil-Am actor to play two other crucial roles in the show.
Created by Lin Manuel Miranda (who also co-wrote songs for the Disney animated film "Moana" and is an actor in the Disney film "Mary Poppins Returns"), the multi-awarded show is about the life of Alexander Hamilton, a statesman, one of the Founding Fathers of the U.S., as well as the founder of the nation's financial system.
For readers who are not familiar with either the theater industry or U.S. history, this synopsis will surely sound very dry and boring. But merely think of the opposite feeling, multiplied by the thousands, to imagine the phenomenal buzz that this hit musical has created.
Breaking molds
The musical broke the mold with its choice of musical genres, which had not been traditionally or usually heard in “mainstream” works, as well as its decision to consciously cast actors of color for its dramatis personae. The latter move may baffle readers who assume that the Broadway community or US theater industry as a whole is open to diversity; but it was and still is actually a very bold and rare occurrence.
“Hamilton” grew into a behemoth. Before the COVID-19 pandemic restricted indoor, congregate activities, in addition to its Broadway production, “Hamilton” had two national touring productions and shows in Chicago, San Francisco, and Puerto Rico. Simultaneously.
And while theaters remained closed, to tide theater lovers over in the meantime, a videorecorded version of the show was launched on the Disney Plus streaming service last year.
DelaCruz backstage at “Hamilton”
Awestruck
It’s against this competitive landscape that theater actors vie to be selected to become part of the enterprise. Therefore, it’s no small feat to play the main role of this show, let alone two other equally important players.
DelaCruz also plays King George, the British monarch whom the revolutionaries rebel against, and he also essays Aaron Burr, Hamilton’s ideological foil.
Broadway, the popular theater district in New York, has opened again after more than a year’s suspension due to the pandemic and DelaCruz is part of a sizeable industry that is returning to its profession.
DelaCruz was first interviewed for this profile just a few days before Broadway was shut down last year. He had just debuted as Aaron Burr, writing in a Facebook post, “Yo, ‘Hamilton’ never ceases to amaze and astonish. It is such a privilege to be a member of this company. I had my first go rounds as Aaron Burr and what I remember most is the love, smiles, hugs, laughter and support coming from everyone both onstage and off.
“I can't adequately describe how lucky I feel to have a shot at helping tell this story from yet another angle alongside the most caring and uplifting family of theater folk. I'm awestruck and humbled.”
Stretched
He recalled his journey with the show. At the time, he was part of the ensemble playing Man 5, which includes the roles of Philip Schuyler, James Reynolds and the doctor. “And I understudied Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, King George and John Laurens/Philip Hamilton (two characters played by one actor).”
“It has been a nothing short of a dream. Experiencing the show from different angles has given me such appreciation for its genius in how it was written and put together.
“I've been challenged and stretched in every possible way. It's been exhilarating. It's a gift to work on one show for an extended period of time, especially one as complex as this, because it gives you the opportunity to keep diving deeper into the material. I don't think I'll ever stop having new thoughts or revelations about the show.”
Understudies and standbys take over roles in case the originally assigned actor is unable to perform.
As the musical reopens its curtains to audiences, DelaCruz will no longer be in the ensemble. Instead, he is now the standby for all these major characters, with two new roles to boot: Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson (also two characters played by one actor).
You never know, if they ever make a one-person version of the musical in the future, DelaCruz would be a shoe-in to perform it.
(Photo by Mari Uchida)
Complicated
DelaCruz, whose father is Filipino, was born in Hilo, Hawaii. He grew up in Seattle and trained in dance while he was taking up international studies at the University of Washington. He was in college when he was cast in his first professional production, "The Fantasticks," with the Northwest Asian American Theater Company.
After some time acting for Seattle theater groups, he went on to be in productions such as the national tour of "Disney's High School Musical" and in the world premiere cast of "Allegiance" at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre alongside Lea Salonga before making his Broadway debut in the musical "If/Then," which starred Idina Menzel.
The opportunity to play the three arguably most popular characters (the male ones anyway) in the musical is something DelaCruz does not take for granted.
“It's so interesting and such an incredible challenge! These three characters see the world through completely different eyes and it has been a joy trying to get into their heads and understand why they do the things they do.”
His approach is not to paint broad strokes in bringing them to life. “I try not to view any character as a villain, good guy or bad guy, but rather as individuals who come from very different backgrounds, determined to achieve their goals.
“They are all flawed humans with limitations and that is what makes the show so dynamic, especially when placed within the historical context. Truthfully portraying these very different characters requires a lot of digging and putting my own assumptions aside about who they are in the interest of getting at their humanity.”
In fact, the chance to embody Aaron Burr enabled him more ways to access Alexander Hamilton.
“These two men had a very complicated relationship and diving into Burr's psyche gives me so much insight into Hamilton's point of view and how he is perceived by Burr.
“The process of learning Burr has helped me further specify how and why Hamilton does what he does and says what he says. I haven't changed my performance completely but understanding Burr gives me so many new layers to play with when I play Ham.”
Loved ones
With all the work that has to go into preparing for the show, DelaCruz falls back on his work family and his real family.
Prior to the pandemic, his family would travel all the way to New York to catch DelaCruz every time he debuted in a new role.
“Especially my parents who have to come all the way from Hawaii. I'm grateful that my family is so supportive. They are very proud of me. Both my brother and sister have remarked that they saw me act in the show in ways they had never seen before and at times they can't believe it's me up there. It's very cool to be able to share this whole experience with my family.”
“Marc delaCruz could act out all of ‘Hamilton’ by himself one day”
Inspiration
Meanwhile “the family at the Rodgers Theatre operates with love and care. Whenever there is a debut of any kind, a new actor joins the company and performs for the first time or a company member goes on for a new role for the first time, the company gathers in the basement at places and extends their hands in support.
“It's a beautiful way to uplift the company member and remind them that they are not alone and that, though a debut may be daunting and full of nervousness and anxiety, the entire company has their back. For me, it's a beautiful reminder that this show can never happen without the work and cooperation of every single person in the building.”
But at the end of the day, it is the audience that make stage work meaningful for performers.
“So many folks travel from all over the world to see the show, fans know every word, young people studying theater stick around to meet us because they aspire to do what we do, it blows me away every time. It is a constant reminder of not only how popular the show is but what an impact it continues to have on people. I'm so proud to be part of something that bring such joy to so many.
“I am particularly touched by Asian American audience members who make a point to tell me how much it means to them to see me onstage. A few young Asian Americans have said that seeing me onstage in a show as big as ‘Hamilton’ gives them hope that they can achieve their dreams too. I can't describe how humbling this is and how it fuels and inspires me every day. This is more than a job, it's a real opportunity to lift others up. I'm not sure I'll ever be part of something quite like this again.”
Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History. When he is not writing about Fil-Am theater, he delves into astrology and yoga. Visit http://amazon.com/author/walterang
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