Actor Nicholas Christopher returns to his roots as Hamilton comes to the Hub
“For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be an actor,” says Nicholas Christopher. Raised in Bermuda and Boston, Christopher was involved in theater from an early age—debuting in a production of South Pacific by children’s theater group Stage Right in Arlington, Mass.
After years spent working in New York, Christopher returns to Boston in the role of Aaron Burr in the touring production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hit Hamilton (in Boston September 18–November 18). “I cannot wait!” he enthuses. “This is my first time performing professionally in ‘the Bean.’ A lot of my family members and friends haven’t been able to see me on stage since I moved to New York.”
Christopher is a Hamilton veteran. He participated in readings of the show in 2013–14, back when it was called The Hamilton Mixtape. “I realized I have played every male character in the show save the title character, Hamilton,” he says. When the touring production’s director Thomas Kail offered Christopher a chance to play Aaron Burr—or “the villain in your history,” as Miranda’s lyrics put it—he eagerly agreed. Christopher enjoys diving into Burr’s complexity. “I love this character because, physically and emotionally, it is a challenge every night. I love the range in which I can play him.…I try to have the audience see themselves in Burr and hopefully walk away with empathy for him.”
Christopher has been thrilled to bring Hamilton to audiences across the nation. “I love exploring different cities across the country.…People are so excited to finally get to see this show. I find that having a new opening night every couple of weeks keeps us as performers alive and excited on stage.” Yet Boston is special. Christopher is not only eager for his family to see him perform—he urges everyone in the Hub to see the musical. “So much of our country’s history took place in Boston,” he says. “So, come see a show about you by one of you! Go Sox!”
