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Hamilton star got the part while flipping burgers

Levi Tyrell Johnson Levi Tyrell Johnson leans against the wooden stage in the wings at HamiltonLevi Tyrell Johnson
Levi Tyrell Johnson stands in the wings of the hip hop musical Hamilton

A Hamilton star says he found out he had the part while flipping burgers in a pub.

Levi Tyrell Johnson is part of the ensemble and understudy for the main role in the musical, which began in Cardiff this week.

The musical, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is loosely based on the life of one of the founding fathers of America with songs ranging in style from hip hop to RnB and pop.

“I was working in a kitchen at the time which was very stressful," Levi, who is from Cardiff, said.

"So I was hoping for that kind of saving call. In the end it came while I was in the kitchen flipping burgers, and I pretty much quit there and then on the spot."

Levi stands outside the Wales Millennium Centre looking directly to camera
Levi Tyrell Johnson describes Wales Millennium Centre as his dream venue to be performing in Hamilton

It was a three-month audition process with 10 call backs to be part of the touring cast.

Levi has been with the show since last year, with Wales Millennium Centre his final stop before the cast changes.

"There's no feeling better than being back in Cardiff doing my dream show, and pretty much in my dream venue. It’s pretty surreal, to be honest," he said.

The 30-year-old says the complex, fast rap numbers he’s had to perfect came easily because of his background.

"My brother's a rapper, my uncle's a rapper. So I’ve got a lot of the hip hop in my family. It’s nice to be in a show that although it's about America, it feels like it embodies my upbringing as well."

He says he is also excited to be so close to home for Christmas.

"My mum will still have to pick me up but at least I’m only in Cardiff Bay. Last year for Christmas I was in Manchester which was a four-hour train."

Levi Tyrell Johnson Levi Tyrell Johnson sings into a micLevi Tyrell Johnson
The West End star grew up with a love of singing and performing

Growing up on a council estate in Llanrhymney, Levi says he was obsessed with two musicals – Jesus Christ Superstar and The Wizard of Oz.

"So my first ever movie musical, which was what gave me the musical theatre bug, was Jesus Christ Superstar, the 1973 film version.

"I grew up watching that and The Wizard of Oz back to back. I would just pop one VCR out, one VCR back in and rewind and just keep doing that."

He has also been in the audience at the Wales Millennium Centre several times with his mother Nicola Herron, with The Book of Mormon and Bedknobs and Broomsticks standing out as favourites.

Before studying musical theatre, Levi was frontman of Cardiff-based rock and roll band Black Elvis.

Levi Tyrell Johnson Levi Tyrell Johnson leans against his mother Nicola at a press night Levi Tyrell Johnson
Levi Tyrell Johnson with his mum Nicola Herron at Hamilton in Edinburgh

He graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2022.

"Growing up, I'd skate past the [Royal Welsh College] building and never thought I'd be able to get in somewhere like that. But I applied and as soon as they met me, being a Cardiff boy who speaks Welsh, they took me in with open arms."

He says he would love to break into films next.

"I want to be on the big screen, hopefully. I've done martial arts most of my life, so I can see myself playing an action hero, I guess. It seems like a kind of childish dream, but this dream came true. So why not?"

Hamilton plays at Wales Millennium Centre until 25 January.