By Chris Heide
Photo by Joan Marcus
Sometimes, the second shot is better. Having seen Hamilton during its original tour I liked the show but did not love it. This time, however, I was enthralled. There is so much nuance, modernism, charm, and creativity in this show that it is impossible to notice all the details in one viewing.
Hamilton truly is unlike any other Broadway musical I’ve ever seen. And I’ve had the great fortune to attend a magnanimous plethora of musicals. Everything about Hamilton is so fresh and unique- the choreography, the staging, the rhythm, and book itself.
Let’s start with the highlights. For those who don’t know, Hamilton is essential a hip-hop historical musical, which details the life and death of Alexander Hamilton (spoiler alert). The entirety of the dialogue is presented in both rap and spoken prose. For a good 20 minutes, I was unsure if the production would contain any actual Broadway-esque songs. To my pleasant surprise, the show does possess a few classically styled showtunes intermixed with the rapid-fire dialogue. The amount of fast-paced dialogue is as impressive and swift, as it is rhythmical. The Gilmore Girls would surely be impressed by the voracity of the script.
Hamilton is a smart show. A great deal of American history is packed into the two-and-a-half-hour extravaganza. It's a stunningly nuanced look at both classic American histories, as well as poignant commentary on the consequences of power, ego and hubris.
One of the best aspects of Hamilton is the choreography. It’s a beautiful blend of hip-hop, Broadway, and contemporary styles of dance. The choreography really serves to highlight the frenetic paces of the show, as well as the seamless transition between big numbers.
While Lin-Manuel Miranda is a phenomenal talent, his ability to sing is passable at best. Interestingly and refreshingly, all the major cast members were played by black actions which is a brilliant commentary on the colonialism, power, egoism, and bigotry of our white founding fathers. Every cast member was well cast, and the vocals of the actor playing Hamilton far surpassed those of Miranda. To hear such tremendous vocal prowess inwoven into the character, gives a new credence and experience when watching the show.
Somethings just improve with age, and Hamilton is one of those things.