Though she’s performed in multiple shows on Broadway, Mandy Gonzalez is best known for having originated the role of “Nina” in In the Heights. That musical was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda as is the musical she’s currently appearing in on Broadway, Hamilton. Gonzalez plays hooky from her role as “Angelica Schulyer” on Saturday to perform in concert at the Soraya. She’ll be performing Sunday evening at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.
The show is advertised as songs from Stephen Schwartz to Lin-Manuel Miranda. Given that Gonzalez played “Elphaba” in Wicked, that helps guide what the Schwartz component will be. Obviously the two Miranda shows are signposts for what that aspect of the show might offer. What happens in between…who knows? But it will be good!
I saw Gonzalez perform last year at Feinstein’s at the Nikko in San Francisco. She’s utterly charming, makes interesting song choices (maybe you’ll get to hear Born to Run, too) and she sings like an angel.
Joining her for these two shows is an alumnus from Hamilton: Javier Muñoz. He made headlines when he was chosen to replace Miranda as the title character in the musical. That wasn’t the first time he had assumed a role Miranda had played. He also took over the role of Usnavi in In the Heights.
Gonzalez and Muñoz are good friends. Which is very clear in this backstage video they posted while he was in Hamilton.
Good friends. Good chemistry. Hugely talented.