Lexi Lawson is an American actress and singer, best known for her work in

musicals Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movement ...

. She held the lead female roles in touring productions of ''

Rent Rent may refer to: Economics *Renting, an agreement where a payment is made for the temporary use of a good, service or property *Economic rent, any payment in excess of the cost of production *Rent-seeking, attempting to increase one's share of e ...

'' and ''

In the Heights ''In the Heights'' is a musical theatre, musical with concept, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a Book (musical theatre), book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The story is set over the course of three days, involving characters in the larg ...

''. Lawson made her Broadway theatre, Broadway debut as Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, Eliza Hamilton in ''Hamilton (musical), Hamilton''.

Early life

Lexi Lawson was born and raised in the Bronx in New York City. When she was seven, she moved with her family to Newburgh, New York, Newburgh, New York (state), New York.

Career

In 2010 she joined the touring company of

when she was cast as Mimi Marquez for the North American tour. She had become a finalist on the American Idol (season 8), eighth season of ''American Idol'' but chose to drop out in order to tour with ''Rent''. Shortly prior to her contract coming to an end, she expressed an interest in the role of Vanessa in Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical ''

''. She was subsequently cast in the part in the United States national tour. Lawson made her Broadway theatre, Broadway debut when she was announced as replacing Phillipa Soo in the role of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, Eliza Hamilton in Miranda's ''Hamilton (musical), Hamilton''. Her first performance took place on July 9, 2016. On February 12, 2017, she joined with other former cast members of

to perform a tribute to the musical entitled "Seasons of Love" at The Cutting Room in New York City. Lawson recorded the single "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)", which was released in December 2017. That same month, she was present for the unveiling of the restored Bust (sculpture), bust of Alexander Hamilton at the Museum of the City of New York alongside fellow cast member Anthony Lee Medina. She teamed up with four other Eliza actresses from ''Hamilton'' productions on Miranda's Hamilton (musical)#Hamildrops (2017–2018), Hamildrops in 2018. The track, "First Burn", featured Lawson along with Julia K. Harriman, Shoba Narayan, Rachelle Ann Go, and Arianna Afsar. Miranda explained on Twitter that the song was the original version of a song sung by Eliza in the musical.

Personal life

Lawson is married to actor Leonidas Gulaptis; they have one child together. She owns a Yorkshire Terrier named Seven. She bought the dog from a breeder in 2008, and would take it with her as she toured the US on the productions of ''Rent'' and ''In The Heights''. In late 2016, she moved into an apartment near Times Square, New York City.

Theatre credits

Filmography

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lawson, Lexi 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American women singers 20th-century American singers 21st-century American actresses 21st-century American women singers 21st-century American singers Actresses from New York City American film actresses American musical theatre actresses American television actresses Broadway theatre people Living people Newburgh Free Academy alumni Musicians from the Bronx People from Midtown Manhattan People from Newburgh, New York Year of birth missing (living people)