The Final Five hit New York and see 'Hamilton,' hang with Fallon
Turns out it's not so hard to get Hamilton tickets on short notice after all — all you have to do is win a bunch of Olympic medals.
Seeing the sold-out-until-forever musical is one of the perks of being part of the Final Five.
The Olympic team gymnastics gold medalists sprinted across midtown Manhattan after their Tonight Show taping (more about that later) to make it to the Richard Rodgers Theatre in time to hear the new Aaron Burr rap the show's opening lines.
Their presence made it a memorable debut for Brandon Victor Dixon, who replaced Leslie Odom Jr. and just happens to be a gymnastics superfan.
“Gymnastics is my favorite Olympic sport, hands-down," Dixon said during one of Hamilton's famed post-show meet-and-greets. "Since the days of Kim Zmeskal, I’ve been about the U.S. gymnastics team. So, I love these ladies. I’m so proud of them. I worship them. I think they’re amazing and I got so hyped when I heard they were in the audience tonight,” Dixon said.
Much like the Hamilton cast, the Final Five has been celebrated for its diversity, with African-American, Latina, white and Jewish members.
They’re just like tiny versions of us,” said Okieriete Onaodowan, who plays both Hercules Mulligan and James Madison. “It’s amazing but it’s also remarkable what they’re doing, just to be able to perform and not choke under that pressure. At a young age, to be able to perform that way and keep your cool? I’m totally impressed.”
USA Gymnastics senior vice president Rhonda Faehn revealed that Simon Biles' coach Aimee Boorman played the cast album to get the girls hyped for competition. So seeing the show as part of their post-Rio agenda was "meant to be."
And while the Olympians were in town, they also stopped by The Tonight Show to hang with Jimmy Fallon, the Roots and guest Donald Glover. What posssible game could the late night host think up for five gold medal-winning super athletes? "Hungry Hungry Humans" of course.
Yup, that competitive edge does not leave once the Games are over.
Contributing: Associated Press