Leslie Odom Jr. Shares His Success Story at JPJ
Rachel Lemley, staff writer
Leslie Odom Jr. had once said, “The path to moments of greatness in your life will be paved, in part, with your spectacular failures,” At 2 p.m. on Jan. 19, over a thousand UVA students and residents of Charlottesville gathered at the John Paul Jones arena to hear author and actor Leslie Odom Jr. speak. Although he is known primarily for his role as Aaron Burr in the Broadway hit Hamilton, Odom came to Virginia to give advice, speak about his life, and promote his autobiography Failing Up.
Many people, including my friends and I, stood out in the rain for two hours to be able to get his autograph; the first 50 people to buy his book ($20) were allowed to meet him. The wait was long and exhausting, but it was worth it when we got to see him because Odom was kind and easy to talk to.
The venue itself was large, but the acoustics were great, making for a great interview and experience. The smell of popcorn hung heavily in the air as we frantically shuffled through the crowds of people to find a decent spot.
Distant conversations echoed across the open space. Seating varied from the rough metal seats on the floor to the cushy theatre seats on the sides of the arena that gradually rose to allow for a better sight. If you wanted the best and closest seating, be prepared to wait in long lines and be slightly uncomfortable in the fold out chairs at the front.
After some uplifting and upbeat songs from the musical groups of Black Voices Gospel Choir and Under The Stairwell, Leslie Odom and UVA president Jim Ryan took the stage to talk about life, failing, and working towards what you love.
Although I wish Odom would have spoken more about his experiences in Hamilton and taken additional time to offer advice, he did an excellent job of answering the questions thoroughly and giving the audience many things to think about. He gave his opinions on civil rights, raising his daughter, and finding a pathway in life.
At the end of the talk, despite all of us assuming he would perform a song from Hamilton, he sang something more classic. He is very talented, and it was touching nonetheless. Afterward, those who were the first 50 to buy his book lined up excitedly to meet the star.
Even though we did not get much time with Odom, it was uplifting to meet such an inspirational individual, and he left a kind note in each of the books we purchased. His book, Failing Up, was both informational and inspirational, and I enjoyed reading about all his experiences, both good and bad.
Overall, it was a memorable experience without too much waiting; however I wish that Leslie Odom Jr. had left additional time for talking and one or two Hamilton songs.
The event was not expensive, since tickets were free, and the John Paul Jones arena, although crowded, was spacious and comfortable. The effort was definitely worth the experience.
I encourage the reader to check out JPJ and Leslie Odom’s autobiography Failing Up to decide for themselves.
