REVIEW: Leslie Odom Jr.’s Christmas Tour at Southern Theatre
By Paul Batterson / For BroadwayWorld
“Leslie Odom Jr., whose Christmas Tour 2024 stopped in Columbus Dec. 19-20, is best remembered for being “the villain in your history,” originating the role of Aaron Burr in HAMILTON.
“All your life you hope to do something that marks your life with distinction, that helps people put a face to a name,” Odom Jr. told the 900-person audience at the Southern Theatre (21 E. Main Street in downtown Columbus). “I’m so grateful that 25 years into my career, people still stop me in the airport and say, ‘Pardon me, but are you Aaron Burr, sir?’”
During his 22-song performance on the first of two shows with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra as well as his own four-person back-up band, Odom Jr. proved he was a lot more than the character who shot Alexander Hamilton. In fact, the 43-year-old singer only performed one song from HAMILTON and (strap yourself in for the Dad joke) the audience had to be “willing to wait for it.””
