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Betsy Struxness here from Hamilton back with another installment of Behind the #StruxSelfie. Thank you so much for all your interest and support of this silly series that clearly makes me quite happy. While you get insight about the selfies here, follow me on Twitter and Instagram @be_strux to see ALL the madness, as this is just a smattering. Enjoy the latest! See Parts One, Two and Three!
Keep the love flowing and I’ll do my best to keep the selfies coming! In the meantime, enjoy and follow me on Instagram and Twitter @be_strux to keep up to date on the latest celebs dropping in on us at Hamilton.
I’ll start strong with Jay-Z and Beyonce, or as I like to call them, Bey-Z. These two were so sweet, and after I chatted with them a bit, wondering where the rest of my cast was, we all eventually walked out of the Stage Management office, where I realized the whole cast was waiting to take a picture. Oops... sorry guys, totally didn’t mean to monopolize this awesome power couple.
Betsy Struxness
Mel Brooks! Much to my mother’s chagrin, "Spaceballs" is one of my favorite movies from childhood, so it was QUITE fun for me to meet its director, writer and "Yoda." Upon telling him how much I loved the movie, he assured me there’d be a Spaceballs 2. Dear lord let this be true and not just a tease.
Betsy Struxness
Louis CK and Pamela Adlon. Some of you may know, but most of you probably don’t, that I was on an episode of "Louie." Season 4 Episode 3 (shameless self promotion).
When I walked up to him backstage there was this vague expression of confusion/recognition on his face. When I said, “Hi I’m Betsy, I played Sunshine on your show.” He was like, “YES!!!!! I know you! Pamela, do you know who this is? She played Sunshine.”
Meanwhile, Pamela just rolled her eyes and said, “Of course I know.” It felt like it was right out of his show. I loved it. They were both wonderful and thoroughly enjoyed the show.
When I walked up to him backstage there was this vague expression of confusion/recognition on his face. When I said, “Hi I’m Betsy, I played Sunshine on your show.” He was like, “YES!!!!! I know you! Pamela, do you know who this is? She played Sunshine.”
Meanwhile, Pamela just rolled her eyes and said, “Of course I know.” It felt like it was right out of his show. I loved it. They were both wonderful and thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Betsy Struxness
Usher! I totally rapped to him, but like, old school from his first album. U-S H-E-R R-A Y-M O-N-D! He laughed and was very nice to me, cause I”m SURE he runs into weird fans all the time. I was totally that fan backstage. Thank you for humoring me, Usher. My 16 year old self was THRILLED!
Betsy Struxness
Janelle Monae was the sweetest, but let’s be clear, I love this picture because of Seth Stewart. He’s sort of become the king of photobombing my selfies. While she was gracious in accepting my compliments about her own work and artistry, she was equally effusive with her compliments about our work in the show. On a sidenote, please forgive the shadow on my face that makes me look like I have a goatee... I only discovered that unfortunate shadow after I’d left the theater and had to make do... Ah well.
Betsy Struxness
Here, Emma Watson is chatting with Jasmine Cephas Jones. While I’ve seen all the Harry Potter movies and know Emma’s voice well, hearing her speak to me with that wonderfully proper English accent, I could barely pay attention to what she was saying.
When I snapped out of it and started to pay attention, I began to take in all the glorious things she had to say to me and about the show. I am truly bowled over by how nice and open these huge stars are. It’s truly a testament to Hamilton as a piece of art.
When I snapped out of it and started to pay attention, I began to take in all the glorious things she had to say to me and about the show. I am truly bowled over by how nice and open these huge stars are. It’s truly a testament to Hamilton as a piece of art.
Betsy Struxness
Anthony Ramos talking with Missy Elliot, no big whup. WHAT?!?! I have been a huge fan of Missy’s for years and knowing she was in the audience that night gave me so much energy that I found myself sort of having to put a lid on it. In line with everyone else I’ve talked about already, she was sweet and kind and complimentary. What’s fun about the hip-hop artists is to watch THEM be in awe of what WE'RE doing, when they’ve done so much that I’m in awe over. I think I’ve said that before, but it’s a very pervasive thought.
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Tim Minchin, who also happens to be my buddy. He wrote the music for Matilda and is a magnificent star who’s very famous in the UK and Australia. I consider him to be a wonderful, funny and intelligent songwriter and I could not WAIT to hear what he had to say about the show. He was destroyed in the best of ways and barely had words to describe his experience. That’s my favorite compliment from anyone, but from someone who has plenty of words and uses them to his great advantage, it is particularly fun.
Betsy Struxness
This is one of my favorites because while including castmates, Daveed Diggs and Emmy Raver-Lampman, I also nabbed both Phylicia Rashad and Michelle Pfeiffer. I’d say that’s a coup of a selfie.
These two massively talented women did not leave us disappointed and just kept up the kindness and compliments that we’ve come to enjoy backstage from these celebs. It doesn’t get old, but it’s still not expected and a lovely surprise.
These two massively talented women did not leave us disappointed and just kept up the kindness and compliments that we’ve come to enjoy backstage from these celebs. It doesn’t get old, but it’s still not expected and a lovely surprise.
Betsy Struxness
This is perhaps one of my all time favorites, which is why I’m closing with it. Martin Short posing with Oak Onaodowan and Javier Munoz AND John Stamos. Yes that’s John Stamos TOTALLY catching me and cheesing it up for my selfie. When I tweeted this to him he retweeted and retorted. It was quite fun. He and Martin Short sort of make a bizarre combo to meet, but I was fine with it since I loved "Full House" as a kid and also watched Martin Short in "SCTV," a sort of indy network answer to "Saturday Night Live"... YEARS ago.
Betsy Struxness
For more information visit HamiltononBroadway.com.
