[Broadway] Hamilton

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 10:39 am

My kids and I have fallen in love with the soundtrack to Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton. It's truly fun stuff.

Apparently it's the hottest ticket in New York--this weekend I was at a fund-raiser auction, and a pair of tickets went for $1,900.

Have any OOers seen it? Is it as good as it sounds like it would be?

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 10:45 am

My brother and his wife (not CC - my other, more successful, brother) saw it and said it was really good. And my girlfriend is pretty obsessed with the soundtrack, so I've also heard it quite a bit and have been shown many YouTube videos. Not living in NY and not having a thousand bucks to spare, I don't think I'll see it any time soon, but I definitely would jump at the chance if I somehow lucked into tickets.

Chaz · Post by **Chaz** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 10:47 am

A co-worker got me to listen to this after much procrastinating, and the soundtrack is really phenomenal. I looked into tickets and they are completely sold out through next year. Reseller prices start at $400 each for every single performance, and go up from there. Makes me really sad that there's literally no option to see this outside of spending a small fortune to do so. I did pick up the album today though.

I've got two friends who've managed to get tickets through connections or swallowing the cost, and both raved about it.

disarm · Post by **disarm** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 2:25 pm

My sister is a huge Broadway nut and saw it while visiting NYC last month. She stood in line outside the theater to sign up for the daily ticket lottery one morning and hit the jackpot...two tickets, front row center, for $20. She absolutely loved the show...one of the best she's seen.

I've listened to the cast recording a couple times through, and it's pretty solid...catchy music that tells the compelling story of a major figure in American history, without feeling like showtunes the whole time. The rap/R&B style works surprisingly well, and I feel like a number of the songs could pass for hits on the radio today. It's definitely a show that should have appeal well beyond the usual Broadway fans.

rshetts2 · Post by **rshetts2** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 3:11 pm

This seemed like a good place for this: I give you the Batman/Hamilton mash up Batlxander Manilton!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rYv2xUijII

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 3:30 pm

Oh, I thought this was maybe about Nelson's squeeze.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 3:52 pm

Just a small taste of the soundtrack for those wondering about it:

"You'll Be Back" -- History's sickest love song, from George III to his Colonies
"Wait for It" -- Aaron Burr's character development
"Guns and Ships" -- "Everyone give it up for America's favorite fighting Frenchman!"
"Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)"

It seems about 110% certain that this will be turned into a movie.

Scuzz · Post by **Scuzz** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 3:54 pm

Both my daughters are crazy over Hamilton. I don't know if it is just on Youtube or if they are streaming it from somewhere but they have watched it numerous times on-line.

Chaz · Post by **Chaz** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 4:30 pm

The King George stuff is fantastic. I'm finding myself really hit by the stuff involving Hamilton's family.

That Would Be Enough - Hamilton's wife begging him to focus more on her and their unborn child, and stop obsessing so much over his legacy and position. Heartbreaking.
Burn - The other end of the story. Hamilton's just publicly confessed to carrying on a three-year affair under her nose, and this is her reaction.

Seriously you guys, this thing is really, really good, and I haven't even seen the stage version. I'd love for them to make it into a movie, but what I'd love even more is just to point a few cameras at the stage, cut it together, and release that. I'd buy that in a second.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 4:51 pm

10 Commandments of Turning 'Hamilton' Into a Movie Musical

Kelric · Post by **Kelric** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 10:15 pm

Absolutely fantastic soundtrack that my wife and I have listened to about half a dozen times in the car in the last few months (we've had several VERY long drives to weddings lately), plus however many times she has listened to it without me. And all of the YouTube videos. And anything else she can find.

Also, King George's songs are great. That guy's laugh is fantastic.

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 10:51 pm

My wife and daughter (6) are constantly listening to this.

My wife's friend bought a block of tickets and was kind enough to 'sell us 2' from that block. We'll be going February 1st, in Chicago. Mezzanine seats - $200 each
Very much looking forward to it.

Chaz · Post by **Chaz** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 5:30 am

Very jealous. I don't have the money or patience to try an get tickets to see this live. Fortunately, Miranda said on Twitter recently that they'd filmed the show with the full original cast, so a bluray release has to be in the offing. That makes me super glad.

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:18 am

One thing I can say about this, versus something like The Producers - this music is gonna make this thing live a long, long life beyond the original cast.

Also, I love this:

Jag · Post by **Jag** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 9:30 am

Been listening to the soundtrack. From a show perspective, it reminds me of Rent and Les Mis. Not surprising since Lin-Manuel said Rent was a huge influence on him. Musically, it's taken a ton of hip-hop from the 90s on. I heard a bit of Eminem and even a Beastie Boy "Laaaadies" in there. Also Miranda influences.

Oh and he was fantastic on John Oliver singing about Puerto Rico.

AWS260 · Post by **AWS260** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 9:38 am

My wife picked up the soundtrack, and after hearing so much about Hamilton as a "hip-hop musical," I was surprised that it sounded so much like, well, musical theater. Which is not a bad thing -- it's terrific! I guess I was expecting more ODB than SJS (Stephen J. Sondheim).

PLW · Post by **PLW** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 9:42 am

Around here it is hilariously popular with (a subset of) the 5-8yo set. A neighbor girl had a Hamilton themed 7 year birthday party. Less good, my 7yo daughter keeps singing:

"SEE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU UP AGAINST THE RUFFIANS,
WE IN THE SHIT NOW SOMEBODY'S GOTTA SHOVEL IT.
HERCULES MULLIGAN I NEED NO INTRODUCTION
WHEN YOU KNOCK ME DOWN I GET THE FUCK BACK UP AGAIN" (Caps in original)

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 10:13 am

On the one hand she's learning about history. On the other..well..keep focusing on the fact that she's learning about history.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 11:20 am

PLW wrote:Around here it is hilariously popular with (a subset of) the 5-8yo set. A neighbor girl had a Hamilton themed 7 year birthday party. Less good, my 7yo daughter keeps singing:

"SEE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU UP AGAINST THE RUFFIANS,
WE IN THE SHIT NOW SOMEBODY'S GOTTA SHOVEL IT.
HERCULES MULLIGAN I NEED NO INTRODUCTION
WHEN YOU KNOCK ME DOWN I GET THE FUCK BACK UP AGAIN" (Caps in original)

Yet that's still a terrific song from beginning to end!

AWS260 · Post by **AWS260** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 11:20 am

PLW wrote: Less good, my 7yo daughter keeps singing:

"SEE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU UP AGAINST THE RUFFIANS,
WE IN THE SHIT NOW SOMEBODY'S GOTTA SHOVEL IT.
HERCULES MULLIGAN I NEED NO INTRODUCTION
WHEN YOU KNOCK ME DOWN I GET THE FUCK BACK UP AGAIN" (Caps in original)

You have got to get that on video.

gameoverman · Post by **gameoverman** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 1:26 pm

When I was in elementary school we went on a field trip to see a play. I actually enjoyed the experience, even though I'd have never guessed live theater would appeal to me.

So I'd definitely recommend parents take their kids to the theater at least once in their lives. Even if it isn't to the hottest ticket in town, it's still going to open their eyes to a new world.

AWS260 · Post by **AWS260** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 7:35 am

I saw the Broadway production last night. It was great -- I've listened to the soundtrack a zillion times (my son loves it), but seeing everything come together on stage adds humor and some serious emotional oomph.

The original cast is long gone, but the current actors are almost uniformly excellent. The actor playing Burr -- the role that glues the show together -- was especially strong. I hadn't realized how much cynical wit that character brings. Hamilton was played by the understudy, and he totally owned the role. He was vocally very reminiscent of Lin-Manuel Miranda, but not an imitation.

My only mild disappointments were the actor who played Lafayette/Jefferson -- fantastic as Jefferson, but awkward as Lafayette -- and the performance of "Satisfied," my favorite song from the soundtrack. The staging of that song is amazing, but the actor chose to play up Angelica's fragility instead of her steely backbone, with her voice breaking and swallowing some of the most powerful lines.

All in all, a great experience. It left me thinking I should probably see more Broadway shows, until I remembered how much they cost.

DD* · Post by DD* » Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:33 am

My daughter loves the soundtrack and it is coming to Detroit, but from what I've heard I'll have to pawn an organ or three to get tickets. Not sure I'll be able to swing it...

msteelers · Post by **msteelers** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:45 am

Not to promote pirated stuff, but the entire play with the original cast is floating around the internet. It's up on Pornhub under a title of something along the lines of "Revolutionary boys getting down."

There's also a book that details how the play came about, along with lyrics and other cool notes about the show. If you are a fan of the soundtrack I highly recommend it.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:47 am

msteelers wrote: ↑Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:45 am Not to promote pirated stuff, but the entire play with the original cast is floating around the internet. It's up on Pornhub under a title of something along the lines of "Revolutionary boys getting down."

Is it phone-filmed from the audience? If so, I'd imagine the camerawork is bad and the audio is worse.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:03 am

Broadway World - June 2016

Earlier this month, Hamilton star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda confirmed reports that the hip-hop hit musical would be filmed with the original cast. The actor shared that at the present time, he is not sure what will be done with the footage, but that he wanted to preserve the performance on film for posterity.
...
Following the performance, Miranda turned to Twitter to confirm that the filming was complete and the footage was on its way to "Gringotts Vault", a reference to the only bank in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

msteelers · Post by **msteelers** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:03 am

Holman wrote: ↑Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:47 am
msteelers wrote: ↑Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:45 am Not to promote pirated stuff, but the entire play with the original cast is floating around the internet. It's up on Pornhub under a title of something along the lines of "Revolutionary boys getting down."
Is it phone-filmed from the audience? If so, I'd imagine the camerawork is bad and the audio is worse.

It's not great. My wife and I have listened to the soundtrack so much that we basically have the music memorized at this point. There were a couple of little things in the performances that you can pick up on that you can't get from the album. And an extra bit from the end of Act 1 that is missing entirely from the album.

Still, it's not a replacement for seeing the play in person.

AWS260 · Post by **AWS260** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:35 am

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:03 am
Earlier this month, Hamilton star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda confirmed reports that the hip-hop hit musical would be filmed with the original cast. The actor shared that at the present time, he is not sure what will be done with the footage, but that he wanted to preserve the performance on film for posterity.

Coming to a theater near you in 2020, maybe.

According to a report in the The Wall Street Journal, a recording of the stage version was shot in 2016, shortly before the departure of Miranda from the cast, and it is this – rather than a film adaptation – which will be released. Citing two insiders, the paper said that it won’t be seen until at least 2020, presumably to maximise attendance at the stage versions still playing.

Exodor · Post by **Exodor** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:52 am

DD* wrote: ↑Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:33 am My daughter loves the soundtrack and it is coming to Detroit, but from what I've heard I'll have to pawn an organ or three to get tickets. Not sure I'll be able to swing it...

We saw it when it came to town. My daughter had the soundtrack memorized but I went in knowing very little. Tickets were ~$150 each.

Worth every penny. The soundtrack is great (I've now listened to it a LOT) but it's nothing like actually experiencing the show.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 10:50 am

Exodor wrote: ↑Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:52 am
DD* wrote: ↑Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:33 am My daughter loves the soundtrack and it is coming to Detroit, but from what I've heard I'll have to pawn an organ or three to get tickets. Not sure I'll be able to swing it...
We saw it when it came to town. My daughter had the soundtrack memorized but I went in knowing very little. Tickets were ~$150 each.

Worth every penny. The soundtrack is great (I've now listened to it a LOT) but it's nothing like actually experiencing the show.

Managed to score Hamilton tickets for when it comes to Boston in October (also ~$150/ticket). Pretty psyched.

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 10:52 am

My gf and I went to see Hamilton when it came to St. Louis back in April. It was pretty great, despite our seats being far enough away that you had to use clothes to really tell the actors/characters apart. Interestingly, the only actor that wasn't great was also the guy playing Lafayette; his French accent was terrible and hard to understand. He was much better when playing Jefferson, though.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 3:12 pm

I just got the soundtrack for my birthday. You may be surprised to learn it is fantastic. I'm now looking forward to getting the biography it is based on. Learning history through rap - whoda thunk it?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 6:26 pm

Headed out shortly to see the touring cast.

Baroquen · Post by **Baroquen** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 11:14 pm

Took me forever to get into this show. Tried several times, and it didn't take. Finally did about a year or so ago. I threw it on a spotify playlist with a couple other favorite musicals and "learned" it that way. Funny part was - I could only usually listen to the playlist on shuffle mode, so even after I knew the songs, I still had little idea of what was going on with the play. I knew the highlights, but eventually had to read the Chernow biography to figure things out.

Haven't seen it live, but am definitely now a fan.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:06 am

Baroquen wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2019 11:14 pmI threw it on a spotify playlist with a couple other favorite musicals and "learned" it that way. Funny part was - I could only usually listen to the playlist on shuffle mode, so even after I knew the songs, I still had little idea of what was going on with the play.

I had a similar experience. I ripped the two CDs and put it on my Sansa MP3 player. The discs are labeled Disc 1 and Disc 2 in the meta data - but only after a really long title that the MP3 player didn't fully parse. So it put the two Track 1s back to back, then the two Track 2s, etc. So I was interleaving the beginning with the middle of the story. Took me about 30 minutes to figure out what happened and fix it - it's way better in chronological order.

disarm · Post by **disarm** » Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:18 am

Hamilton is by far the best musical/Broadway show I've seen. I had listened to the cast recording countless times before finally getting to see the the traveling show last fall. The music is incredible, the story is compelling, and the visual presentation takes it all to another level. It's easy to see why Hamilton has taken the world by stormy and still dominates Broadway a couple years after its premiere. There really isn't anything else like it.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:44 am

While my wife got us to go to the Lion King when it came through, tickets for Hamilton were my call. I went in not having listened to any of the songs, and having really only read this thread for any take on the content. I knew the grand historical points, but not the specifics. She went in essentially blind.

We both came away really enjoying it as an excellent performance. It has certainly kindled in me (at least today) to research more about his story and the founding fathers.

Z-Corn · Post by **Z-Corn** » Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:46 am

I loved it. It was much better than Cats. I'm going to see it again and again.

msteelers · Post by **msteelers** » Mon Apr 08, 2019 10:25 am

I thought I had posted this story before, but I don't see it here.

I bought my wife Hamilton tickets for Christmas when the tour was coming through Florida. We ended up loving the show, but the night was almost a disaster. The show was down in Miami, and we got through the doors a good hour before it was supposed to start. I thought it was a little weird that they let us through the doors without scanning our tickets, but didn't think much of it. We buy our merch, walk around the place, and then go stand by our entrance so we can be one of the first people in when they open the doors. 30 minutes from showtime, and they don't open the doors. 15 minutes, doors still closed. I think it was the 5 minute mark when the doors finally open, and by this point the place is packed. Of course, they didn't scan our tickets at the door so now they have to scan everyones tickets before they can go take their seats. And the ancient woman scanning the tickets is taking forever. I can see my wife is panicking a little, but I assure her that they wouldn't start the show before we are all seated. Just then they make the announcement that the doors will be closing in a few minutes. Panic set in to the crowd, and there was a lot of pushing, shoving, and yelling. Somehow we made it in and sat down literally as they dimmed the theater lights and started the show. There were at least 30 people behind us still outside, so they are crawling over us trying to get to their seats now in the dark. And on top of that, the people sitting right next to us were in the wrong seats. So that was a whole thing that developed right in the middle of the show while the usher just stood there letting the distraction continue.

It took several songs to settle in, but once we did the show was phenomenal. The guy playing Aaron Burr was incredible. A totally different take than the album, but somehow managed to be both more chilling and funny. The guy playing Lafayette was kind of bad, but he turned around and was a fantastic Jefferson. Ironically, the weakest actor was probably the one playing Hamilton.

The show left my wife in tears. She walked out to the car with her head down, trying not to let other people see her ugly crying. We will absolutely be seeing it again. Just... probably not in Miami.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Apr 08, 2019 10:50 am

msteelers wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2019 10:25 am We will absolutely be seeing it again. Just... probably not in Miami.

Naples or West Palm Beach?