GRAND RAPIDS, MI – There is still enthusiasm and excitement in the voice of 11-year-old Harry Wepman-Wabeke when he reflects on his impromptu performance for the cast of “Hamilton’’ over the weekend.

Confident in his singing and rapping skills, Harry seized the moment Saturday, Jan. 25, when he learned the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical was dining at his parent’s downtown Grand Rapids restaurant, The Littlebird.

Shortly after introducing himself, with all the swagger of the character Marquis de Lafayette, Harry sang “Guns and Ships’’ from the musical. The song has the fastest, hardest-to-catch raps in the show.

The cast, impressed with Harry’s flow, cheered him on, often singing along. When he was done, the packed restaurant erupted in applause.

Filming from his cellphone was Marcus John, the actor who plays Lafayette in the show, that’s playing through Feb. 9 at DeVos Performance Hall. More than 50,000 fans are expected to see the performance.

“My heart was beating so fast I literally thought I was going to hyperventilate,’’ Harry told MLive Tuesday, Jan. 28.

“For me, it was a mixture of being scared and excited. They were really nice and encouraging and thought I was doing pretty good for an 11-year-old.’’

Harry had just finished an art class with his buddy, Jack Helmholdt, when his mom texted that the Hamiltion cast was at the restaurant. He said he knew on the ride over that he would sing a song, noting that he can perform the entire first act because he’s listened to the soundtrack so many times.

"This is truly one of the highlights of his life,'' said his mother, Sarah Wepman-Wabeke, who said they saw the musical in Chicago over a year ago. "He has been a passionate lover of ‘Hamilton.''’

She said she became emotional Saturday because Harry was able to share his performance with the actual cast and did it so seamlessly. She said before he arrived she told the cast, who she didn’t know was coming, how much he loved the musical.

The musical tells the story of how Alexander Hamilton, the country’s first Secretary of the Treasury, came to the United States as an immigrant from the West Indies and climbed his way up the political ladder. He was an aide to George Washington and died in a famous duel with Aaron Burr.

Playwright and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop and fast, rapping lyrical style made the unique show a hit.

Harry, who is enrolled in Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Center for Economicology, said Miranda is a genius. He spoke about his ability to help people better understand Hamilton’s life through the musical.

The sixth-grader said he was never afraid to perform before the cast. He said he plays the violin and is used to being in front of an audience.

He said he is also a drummer and is in the process of starting a band that will take influences from all types of music.

"There is no bad music, only different music,'' Harry said.

The Littlebird, located at 95 Monroe Center St. NW, has long been a favorite of the city’s arts community.

(Video from Marcus John, supplied to MLive Media Group)

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