It’s hard to believe, but it’s been nearly five years since “Hamilton” opened in Chicago with a dedicated cast. It ran for more than three years, closing in January 2020.

READ: Dancing Down Memory Lane Before the Curtain Falls on ‘Hamilton’ Chicago

During that time, actor Miguel Cervantes originated the title role in town.

“If I had my way, I’d have stayed in Chicago and done the show for the next five years, but that was not an option,” Cervantes said. “Coming back here, being in the city, reconnecting with friends that we’ve made here, it feels amazing to be back in this town that embraced us, my family and the show. Three and a half years [performing in Chicago] is a lot of time to spend and driving down the road and seeing Armitage where we used to live, it doesn’t feel so far removed from back when we were here.”

Cervantes will once again play “Hamilton” when it reopens on Broadway next month.

“On September 14th, not only will ‘Hamilton’ reopen [on Broadway] and I’ll come out there to this thunderous applause — it’s not necessarily for me or for our show specifically — but it’s going to be this feeling of coming back to life and starting anew and all of the energy that we’ve all been sort of storing for the last 18 months is going to be unbelievable,” Cervantes said.

Ahead of Cervantes’ return to Broadway he will offer a solo concert and audience Q&A during “A Night with Hamilton” at The Metropolitan on Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m.