‘Hamilton’ in the Flesh

I was writing some promotional content for TicketBitch and used it as an opportunity to quickly reflect on one of the best nights of my life. Please go see Hamilton!

While in London, I was able to see the Hamilton West End production. The cast, like the Hamilton Broadway production, was chosen with great care and intention, from Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr to each member of the ensemble. I never got to see the OBC, but I fell in love with every character I was able to see in London. Don’t be surprised to see the old, white Founding Fathers of America being played by Black, Latino, or Asian actors. In a 2015 interview with The New York Times, Lin-Manuel Miranda explains, “Our cast looks like America looks now, and that’s certainly intentional. It’s a way of pulling you into the story and allowing you to leave whatever cultural baggage you have about the founding fathers at the door.”[1]

The harmonies and power of the cast’s vocals regularly gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes throughout the show. In the very first song, ‘Alexander Hamilton’, the cast absolutely fills the entire auditorium with, “never learn to take your time,” and the final, “Alexander Hamilton!” like nothing you’ve ever heard before, and you quickly realize the soundtrack you’ve memorized truly doesn’t compare to the insanity of the live performance. Sounds that powerful can’t fit even in the world’s greatest headphones. Watching Angelica and the rest of the cast rewind the scene in “Satisfied” epitomizes the awe-inspiring skill of theater performers. Impressive rap performances like ‘Guns and Ships’ are the perfect contrast to ballads like ‘Dear Theodosia’—in other words, the show keeps your attention and keeps you guessing.

Hamilton is truly unlike any show to take the Broadway stage, and it has proven that it is not just passing through. Don’t mistake that as an excuse to wait to see it, though—use it as an excuse to see it now and then another five times after that. Because it really is just that good.

While you’re here, please watch this video of the Hamilton West End cast destroying the  #SoYouThinkYouHamDance challenge.


[1] Paulson, Michael. (July 12, 2015). ‘Hamilton’ Heads to Broadway in a Hip-Hop Retelling. The New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2018.