By John Hayden

They’ve starred together in two of the 21st century’s biggest Broadway hits, Hamilton and In the Heights. Now, Mandy Gonzalez and Javier Muñoz aren’t throwing away their shot to hit the road together and wow South Florida audiences.

The Broadway besties are coming to The Parker on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Both stars talked with OutClique about their collaboration, Top of the World, and becoming best friends under the glare of the theater world’s brightest lights.

“It’s a celebration of our friendship, the roles we’ve played on Broadway and the shows we’ve done together,” Gonzalez said.

They’ve worked on this show for years. Like many collabs, this one was put on hold during the pandemic. The show we’ll see in 2024 isn’t the same one they planned in 2019. “The stories have changed, the music has changed. Yes, a lot of change,” she said. “We tinkered with it because life happens. Javier went out of town and did Devil Wears Prada. I went back into Hamilton and, in between, we’ve had so much life go on.”

It’s a celebration of the roles, not a recreation, an important distinction for Muñoz. “There’s no character here. You’re just you.” Gonzalez was the one who came up with the idea and held his hand as their vision took shape. “She opened the door and I walked through. I realized this is great! I love this!”

Top of the World is replete with fan faves, including his version of “My Shot” from Hamilton and “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. Also, start practicing your best chair-dancing moves. While the show is filled with Broadway hits, this is not a Broadway vibe. Muñoz and Gonzalez want people singing along, tapping their feet, and dancing.

“There’s a lot of singing with the audience. It’s not a show where you just sit there. We want you to engage. We want you to sing with us and dance. It’s a celebration,” she said.

“If you know the words, we want to hear you singing,” Muñoz said. “Give us your best singing-in-the-shower voice!”

If fans want to come in costume and makeup, she’s here for it. But, having played the very green-faced Elphaba, she has a warning. “When I first started Wicked, they told me to take off the green makeup. There was a certain soap, but it didn’t really work. If you do go green, make sure you have the things to take it off.”

A Rare Friendship

The bond between them is so undeniable, it’s easy to assume this is a common thing among theater superstars. They say it’s incredibly rare. “We have this love that explodes from the stage,” Muñoz said. “If you spend two seconds with us, you’re gonna feel it.”

Gonzalez echoed that sentiment. “That’s not a usual thing. We really like each other. That’s a special thing. He’s like my brother and my family.”

They want that family feeling to come from the audience as well. They’ll be mixing in some pop music and other hits young people will know. They want the show to be accessible to young people, and show them music and the arts are important and achievable. 

“Music is everyone’s language. Everyone speaks music,” he said. “One of the greatest ways to expose a young person to musical theater is to take them to a concert first, and let them experience the music out of context. Let them experience the joy and music as it is. Then take them to a show.”

“We like to let young people know that a life in the arts is possible,” Gonzalez said. “They come and ask questions. Singing with us and being part of the show is something that is beyond important.”

After the show, keep an eye out for them on Wilton Drive. Like after a Broadway gig, they enjoy going out for a little post-show celebration and relaxation. “We always go out to celebrate with a martini or a Manhattan.”

It’s all part of their dedication to the communities they visit. They use local musicians in the production and celebrate the city they’re in. Of course, after party drinks depend on how they feel and how quickly they have to move on. But, if they feel the love during the show, they’re probably more likely to step out afterwards.

The moral: work on your chair-dancing, take the energy they give you, and have fun.