Hamilton the Musical is now in its final week of rehearsals before opening at Sydney's Lyric Theatre.
And while the show tells the story of America's forgotten founding father Alexander Hamilton, creator and original star Lin-Manuel Miranda says he's looking forward to seeing how the show plays to an Australian audience.
"I think it's very interesting when productions of Hamilton leave the country," he told 7.30.
"Australia is really interesting because I remember when I first went to Australia and learned about it, it was a little bit like our country meeting a distant cousin.
"There's a lot that's good and complicated that we share."
Meet Australia's Hamilton
Western Australian actor Jason Arrow will be following in Lin-Manuel Miranda's footsteps in the title role.
"I think the best way to do it is to not think that I have to fill shoes," he said.
"Instead, I have to create my own shoes and walk in those shoes.
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)"One thing they keep telling us is that the roles have been cast based off our essence, and what we as people bring to those characters.
"So I think I try and focus on that as much as possible, which helps me steer away from thinking about having to come after Lin."
Diversity on the stage
For creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, creating more opportunities for diversity on stage has always been central to his work.
And for the Australian production of Hamilton, finding homegrown talent was a key part of the process.
"It was like a year-long casting process. It was very involved, and the result of many trips," Mr Miranda said.
Supplied: Lisa Maree Williams
)"We've just been so deliberate on the importance of casting locally, particularly in light of the pandemic, and how much everyone is hurting for work.
"It really is important to find local talents and homegrown talent – and with Hamilton, our goal was always to create the most diverse stage picture you can possibly see.
Reuters: Lucas Jackson
)"I started writing my first show In The Heights because I desperately wanted a life in musical theatre, and I didn't see one in the canon.
"I feel like what I do every time I sit at my computer is trying to get us on the boards — and by us, I mean black and brown bodies, on that stage and telling stories."
Shaka Cook is an Innawonga man from Western Australia in the Pilbara region and he says it's important for all Australians to see themselves represented on the stage.
ABC News: Shaun Kingma
)"When you are walking the streets of Sydney, all the different people that you see is exactly what you are going to see on stage," Mr Cook told 7.30.
"I think that's important for people to be able to see themselves on stage, no matter who they are, where they're from."
Putting on a production during a pandemic
While COVID-19 has meant the original American creative team haven't been here for rehearsals, they've still been able to be in the room where it happens thanks to Zoom.
"There's like a six-foot TV screen of me right in front of the room, and I watch them in real time," said choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler.
"It's a really special thing for me to know that this piece of art that we all made and we care about so much is alive and well in Australia."
And with Broadway and the West End shut down due to the COVID pandemic, history — and the world — has its eyes on the Australian cast.
"It gives me enormous hope," Mr Miranda said.
"The fact that people are gathering for theatre somewhere in the world makes me incredibly grateful, incredibly happy.
"And I'm happy that Hamilton is going to be playing live somewhere.
"I can't wait till I have the time to do the quarantine and get over there and see this extraordinary company."
