Hamilton

Being new to our blog, it’s a shame to have to use a year’s worth of superlatives on a single show. Extraordinary!  Addicting!  Brilliant!  Genius!  I’ll try to exercise restraint in sharing my thoughts on what I was certain would be another over-hyped Broadway production.  If anything, this show may be under-hyped.

Hamilton is in the league of Broadway’s best over the last century.  It’s in the category of My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, the best of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Simply put, it’s as good as musical theater can be. 

Hamilton brings 1776 history to the present day milieu.  The cast of characters has returned to their birthplace, old New York.  It combines the grittiness of today’s New York City with the rawness of the city at the time when our nation was born.  The songs are distinct entities and the plot unfolds lyrically though rap, hip-hop, pop and classic Broadway show tunes.  There’s something for everyone and there’s not a bad song or dull moment for the entire show. Among a cast full of memorable performances, the performances of Daveed Diggs as Thomas Jefferson and Jonathon Groff as King George were absolute showstoppers.  Anachronisms abound and to great effect.  Christopher Jackson, a strapping African-American, fully inhabits the role of our nation’s father, George Washington.

Had to go with the hat swag.

This comes fresh off Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights triumph.  Mr. Miranda has reinvented the Broadway musical with Hamilton, which he wrote (book, music and lyrics) and stars in (he can rap with the best).  The soundtrack has taken over the audio system in my house and car.

Although the play unfolds in a self-explanatory fashion, the experience might be enhanced by a quick review of Alexander Hamilton in Wikipedia. 

If I have any criticism it’s that ticket availability and pricing make it almost inaccessible, hopefully over time this situation will improve.

I close with a simple statement.  Go see it.  If you have seen Hamilton, what was your experience?

Review by JMG

It was a rainy day and Melissa had a cold, but we were ecstatic!

Side Notes:

Foragers fabulous version of eggs and pancakes.

We had a wonderful pre-theater brunch at Foragers Table. Executive chef Nickolas Martinez uses regional ingredients to create truly delectable food in a vibrant environment.  Be sure to make a reservation; this is a hot ticket in Chelsea.

Joel gives the Bloody Marys two thumbs up.