After a life as Hamilton, Jason Arrow is now all about Guys & Dolls

He starred in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s famed Hamilton and saw the world, now Jai Arrow opens up about the highs and lows of a life in lights.

It is important for Jason Arrow to have downtime with his family. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Guys & Dolls star Jason Arrow opens up on his Hamilton breakthrough, and of the pros and cons of being a perfectionist.

JASON ARROW

Age: 35

Suburb: Sydney, but raised in Perth

Jason Arrow in Guys and Dolls. Picture: Eugene Hyland

What have you got happening?

I’m playing Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Opera Australia’s production of Guys & Dolls on Sydney Harbour! It is such an amazing show that we’ve had the opportunity to mount in a very original way. Slightly modernising the way in which the show is both heard and perceived has really revamped this classic!

How would you describe yourself?

Hard working and a bit of perfectionist, but still very willing to go with flow.

How do you think others describe you?

I would say in the same way but possibly with an element of quiet goof in there.

What is most important to you?

My family and having downtime, no matter how busy life gets.

What is the last thing you read, watched, ate, listened to?

Read Guys and Dolls libretto, watched Severance, ate at Rek do Restaurant, listened to Guys and Dolls soundtrack.

Jason Arrow as Nicely-Nicely Johnson with the cast of Guys & Dolls. Picture: Neil Bennett

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a kid I wanted to become a doctor, then a chef and then an actor.

What has been the biggest obstacle you have overcome?

The leap from the idea and love of performing into actually doing it as a career. Being from WA, it’s a very conscious decision to leave behind everyone and everything you know to just try this very difficult career. I’m very fortunate it worked out in my favour, but it was definitely a tough decision to make.

If you had one wish, what would it be?

Free and clean energy for all – and also space travel.

Tell us a secret. What is one thing people may not know about you?

I love playing video games, still! I find them so engaging and a great storytelling medium.

Jason Arrow as Alexander Hamilton. Picture: Sam Bisso

What has been your proudest moment?

It would have to be getting the role of Alexander Hamilton and sort of solidifying my place in the acting industry due to that achievement. I was really proud I could say I had made it. Now to push on further!

What has been your toughest period?

Not knowing exactly where I was heading in life. I felt incredibly lost and battled with mental health problems because of that aimlessness, but once I discovered what I needed to do, I started to focus and find my way.

What do you wish we could do more about?

I wish we could find a way to successfully discuss discourse. I find the fast-paced way in which we live means we don’t have much time to listen and so we just end up shouting the same things at each other with zero clarity.

Jason Arrow would love to travel through space. Picture: Nikki Short

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

To travel through space. I love space.

What is the kindest thing anyone has ever said to you?

I wouldn’t say kind, but this was the most touching thing someone has said: That my performance in Hamilton was the last thing their father and them shared together and it was such a beautiful last experience.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Perfectionism is a bit of a curse – one I am learning to manage. But it can definitely hinder your ability to successfully and fully discover the breadth of what you’re capable of due to the fact you obsess over one thing you can’t get right when there are many others you can!

Guys & Dolls is playing until April 20

Originally published as After a life as Hamilton, Jason Arrow is now all about Guys & Dolls