A version of this interview was first run in Celebrate! Arkansas Magazine.
Josh Tower is no stranger to the stage. In addition to playing Simba in the Broadway production of The Lion King, Tower has many other impressive Broadway and touring company credits including School of Rock, Motown the Musical and Ragtime. Now, he’s taking his shot in the role of Aaron Burr in the Angelica company of the smash-hit musical Hamilton, appearing at Walton Arts Center March 22-April 3.
Josh Tower
Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theater. Tower recently chatted with Walton Arts Center to talk about the show and its widespread appeal to audiences.
Tower: What it’s like to tour with such a wildly popular show?
Tower: It’s an amazing experience to be on tour with this show. It’s always received really well, though some audiences are more-quiet than others, the energy is the same. We’re excited to be back up and running, and people are excited to be back seeing live theater again.
WAC: Our audiences are certainly excited to be back in the theater, and about Hamilton! What is it that makes this show so special?
Tower: I think the release of the Hamilton [proshot] on Disney+ kept people’s interest and that the love of the show peaked. It’s a completely different experience live, and I do think folks are craving their own night at the show. Theater is such a special fleeting moment. Every show is different. Some of the cast may change; some people are out on vacation, sick, injured, etc., and then swings and understudies jump in where needed. Little mistakes are made every single show... not always the same. And, the audience is different every night with each having their own collective personality. It’s special every night.
WAC: Hamilton is known for incorporating genres that aren’t traditionally heard in musical theater. How did that affect your preparation for the role of Aaron Burr?
Tower: First of all, I love rap and hip hop, mostly old school, R&B, pop, musical theater tunes... all of it. This music is so full of ear worms that it’s pretty easy to get into its groove. I prepped for Hamilton like I do for all shows, with lots of memorization. I often fall asleep at night, during rehearsal weeks, playing the music of a respective project on my headphones in hopes of some sort of discovery in my subconscious. That’s the homework part. I rehearsed Hamilton every day for four weeks during the day while I was doing School of Rock at night across the street at the Winter Garden Theater. It was an intense time for sure.
WAC: Something else that I’d imagine is difficult to prepare for is Aaron Burr’s historical perception as the bad guy in this story. It’s even a theme that the character explores in the show. How do you see him as a man and as a character?
Tower: Well, of course he’s not the bad guy, and of course he’s misunderstood… says every actor about their perceived bad guy! Burr was a father, a husband, a feminist, an incredible writer and a man like many others; flawed in his own way. What Burr could never shake was that he could never figure out, through his education and station in life, how Hamilton, this outsider from nowhere, could outshine him even with all of his own flaws and behaviors that would have destroyed many men and their careers. Hamilton pushed his buttons and pushed his good nature.
WAC: When you look at Burr in that light, I think everyone can relate to some aspect of who he is – villain or not. What are some of the other central themes or messages that audiences relate to most in Hamilton?
Tower: The main themes to me are love, destruction, redemption and forgiveness. The main aspect that I think audiences can relate to is the look of the cast. That is the cast on stage reflects them and they reflect us. We are truly a beautiful melting pot of a country. Our show has no prescribed look to it and every company is different. With so many nationalities on the stage it is a statement in itself. While these real-life characters are largely white, color just seems to fade away during the course of the show. Washington is Washington, Hamilton is Hamilton, Angelica is Angelica. Et cetera. It’s really, really special, and an aspect of which I’m so proud… to look on that stage and see someone who looks like you is inspiring. Inspiration is where big dreams start, conversations are had and new discoveries are made.
WAC: What a lovely sentiment. What is your personal favorite part of the show or of this cast?
Tower: My favorite part or moment of the show is “Yorktown!” We have an amazing group of dancers in the show and when they’re doing their thing there is nothing like it! The number ends with all of us on stage together claiming victory. It’s amazing! The fact that they sing and dance the whole show is pretty astounding. Many shows have a dance ensemble and a separate singing ensemble.
WAC: And what about your favorite part as Burr?
Tower: I also love the songs "Wait for It" and "Room Where It Happens” as a tandem. Both are strong looks at the inner Burr. But in “Wait for It,” that public mask that he wears – that we all wear – is taken off for just a moment and you can take a peek. By the end of the number he puts the mask back on. In “Room Where It Happens”… well, that’s where the mask fractures and cracks, in my mind, in an almost grotesque way. He’s never the same after that. The spiral downward begins.
WAC: It has been such a treat to see the show through your eyes. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. What else do you hope that audiences take away from the show?
Tower: At the end of the day, if you don’t like a certain tune in the show, another one that’s a different style will hook you in. If the music doesn’t do it for you then you hook into the history aspect of the show. There’s really and truly something for everyone. We are all so happy to share this incredible work of art with you again. Enjoy it! Love it!
Limited tickets are still available for Hamilton. Visit waltonartscenter.org for details.