I've seen Hamilton 5 times now and it gets better each time. The more ya know the more ya appreciate the entire story. The Lin Manuel Miranda phenomenon may have faded a bit but the packed house in Omaha last night didn't seem to notice. Yeah, it's a decade old now and tours constantly while still being a Broadway staple but goddamit I'll wait for it every time it comes around.
The packed house was full of younger people fresh from whatever schools they attend. And the electricity began immediately. From the opening notes of Alexander Hamilton, they cheered loudly. They cheered loudly when the song ended. They cheered loudly for the remainder of the 2 1/2-hour spectacle.
We all know the story. Hamilton the son of a whore, comes to New York to do something with his life, which he treats like a burden that will end sooner than later. He becomes a lawyer, meets Aaron Burr, joins the revolution to kick the Brits out, marries Eliza Schuyler, becomes an absent Dad, has an affair, has his career ruined, loses his son in a duel defending his father's honor, and subsequently is killed in a duel himself that seems more like suicide than honor. Thats the story.
The musical itself is epic in its songs, its youthful exuberance and its performances. In the current touring company, there are no weak performances. The big voice needed from Angelica (Lauren Mariasoosay) is there and the big voice needed from George Washington (A D Weaver) is there. Both received huge applause.
Hamilton is played by Tyler Fauntleroy, who has the moves and the look to make it work. Marja Harmon is Eliza and plays Hamilton's long-suffering wife with grace and sadness. Aaron Burr is played by Jimmy JJ Jeter as the milquetoast politician without a principle he wishes to put forth. The feud between Hamilton and Burr is real. One stands for nothing, and one can't stop standing for everything. The inevitable end is apparent from the get-go. All these actors are first rate.
Now for the characters that never stop entertaining. Jared Howelton plays the dual role of Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, and he does both justice and more. Howelton plays Lafayette with vigor but when he becomes Jefferson in Act 2 and descends down those stairs milking the crowd the play takes a turn for the better. Howelton has a rubber face and a great voice. His facial expressions and Prince like 'tude make the story. He hates Hamilton because he represents his main rival. The gloating of Jefferson as Hamiltons scandal comes forth is prized comedy. He aint never gonna become President. He is phenomenal.
King George, the comic relief that Lin Manuel Maranda brilliantly put in the musical at perfectly appropriate times, is played by Justin Matthew Sargent. He glides onto the stage like he's floating on air and delivers the 3 songs everyone loves. He adds comic relief when he steps up on his tippy toes to appear taller than the woman informing him about John Adams. He makes the King his own character. It's brilliant.
The sound at the Orpheum still leaves a lot to be desired. It seemed like Act 2 made the sound worse. The orchestra sometimes drowned out the lyrics which could confuse people not familiar with what's happening. But if you are a Hamilton veteran, it doesn't matter, you know exactly what's happening.
Sorry but I am a fanboy. It never gets old. If I could, I'd see it again tonight. But if you want to experience a 10-year-old phenomenon, take it. Highly entertaining and informative. Thats how you teach America it's history.
Cuz ya know "immigrants we get the job done". The line never fails to hit hard. In this day of anti DEI and anti-immigrant prejudice, the fact a play with mostly black and Latino folk still draws huge crowds makes it hopeful that this asshole America will end. Soon please.
