Marc dela Cruz on Saturday, January 19, made his debut as Alexander Hamilton in the Broadway musical “Hamilton.”
Dela Cruz is of Filipino-Japanese descent and born in Hawaii. He is the first Filipino — and Asian-American actor, for that matter — to bag the lead role in the Tony Award-winning musical.
He took to Instagram his excitement and gratitude, calling the “Hamilton” cast as his “Ham Fam.”
“Thank you to the Ham Fam and everyone who supported me from near and far on my first couple of outings going on as Alexander Hamilton,” his post read.
“This show continues to amaze and thrill me,” he added.
In another post, Dela Cruz acknowledged the messages he received since the announcement.
“I’m truly overwhelmed and humbled. I’m proud to join the Asian/API and Asian American performers who’ve been repping in Hamilton productions worldwide and in all kinds of ways onstage and onscreen!” he wrote. “Since joining @hamiltonmusical I’ve witnessed the power of this show to bring people together in a positive, uplifting way.”
Actress Olivia Oguma praised Dela Cruz in a Facebook post.
“Tonight…we had the first Asian-American Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton on Broadway. Just wanted to let everyone know. Marc de la Cruz I have never been more proud of anyone. I’m so happy for you,” she said.
“Marc is not my friend—he is my brother, and someone we consider a family member. I am so thrilled to have had him in my life for 11 years. His best performance to date will always be singing ‘We Kiss in the Shadow’ with me in our recording studio/bathroom in our hotel room in Minneapolis on the High School Musical tour, but his performance as Hamilton is a close second,” she added.
Dela Cruz had his Broadway debut in 2014, playing as Swing in “If/Then” alongside Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp. The musical was about the story of a divorcee urban planner named Elizabeth who moves to New York City for a chance at a new life.
He joined the cast of “Hamilton” in November 2018. He played various roles in the musical like King George, John Laurens, Philip Hamilton, James Reynolds, and Philip Schuyler, to name a few.
“Whether I’m on as Man 5 or as Ham, I love being able to help tell this story,” he said on Instagram.
