Considered a ground-breaking musical hit, Hamilton is one of those very few works that instantly cemented its high-caliber status in pop culture. The clever way of tackling crazy politics and the life of its protagonist, Alexander Hamilton, caught the attention of the world. Its incredible songs, which are predominantly jaw-dropping raps, showed the side of Broadway that hasn’t been fully uncovered. Hamilton ticks all the boxes of what a great musical should be: incredible choreography, the diversity of casts, the musical language, and the respect for history, among many others. Indeed, there is always something to love about this highly-acclaimed musical. Catch this hit Broadway show this summer at Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. Be enthralled as you witness the world-class production filled with genius lyrics, choreography, costumes, orchestrations, and impressive raps that will make you appreciate your history even more!
“It’s a genuine smash!” – New York Times
“This enormously ambitious and entertaining musical history lesson is even more impressive on a second viewing.” – The Hollywood Reporter
With a stunning multiethnic cast under the direction of Thomas Kail, Hamilton is based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s Founding Fathers. The American actor, singer-songwriter, playwright, and filmmaker Lin-Manuel Miranda crafted the music and lyrics for the musical and originally played Alexander Hamilton’s character. He integrated his experience and genius––if you will–– in crafting incredible raps incorporated into some classic Broadway and refreshing RnB tunes. Through a series of wonderfully-crafted choreography and “eargasmic” songs, Miranda was able to turn the life of the “ten-dollar Founding Father” into the story of the immigrant experience and the birth of a new nation.
Getting inspired to write the musical after reading a copy of Ron Chernow’s “Alexander Hamilton” biography, Lin-Manuel Miranda started to conceptualize the musical in 2004. He continued to develop the work for years while working on other projects. In 2009, he sang a number from what would eventually become “Hamilton” as part of a night of poetry and music at the White House. Three years later, excerpts from “The Hamilton Mixtape,” a proto- “Hamilton” song cycle, opened Lincoln Center’s annual American Songbook series. Fast-forward to 2015, the full-fledged show finally premiered off-Broadway on February 17, 2015, to rave reviews.
Hamilton became an instant hit! The mega-buzzy bio-musical about an orphan from the Caribbean and the politics involving all the Founding Fathers opened to glowing accolades unlike any other. It received 11 Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” out of the 16 record-breaking nominations. That is the greatest number of nominations any musical has ever gotten from the prestigious award-giving body. In addition, Hamilton won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama award. It also snatched a Grammy win for “Best Musical Theater Album.” Indeed, Hamilton sits among the greatest musicals of all time.
The story of Hamilton is as simple as one might read in a biography book. However, the way Miranda approached the subject and how the story is told from the perspective of the Founding Fathers themselves makes it unique. The show focuses on Hamilton’s life, and how and why it ended in an infamous duel with Vice President Aaron Burr, who lived and tells us Hamilton’s story –– at least on this show. As Hamilton’s foil character, we are presented with Burr as a passive, taciturn opportunist whom life passes by, while Hamilton is depicted as someone who seizes his moment and takes a stand –– with his “I am not throwing away my shot” mantra.
“The greatest American musical in decades.” – David Cote, Time Out New York
“With ‘Hamilton,’ Broadway is officially the coolest place on the planet. And the smartest. And most exhilarating.” – Joe Dziemianowicz, New York Daily News
“Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘In the Heights’ may have been a hit — but his ‘Hamilton’ is a phenomenon.” – Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Post
If there is one facet of Hamilton that ultimately stands out is its diversity. Hamilton proved that there is inclusivity in Broadway as most of its casts are black and Latino actors. In the very words of Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Our cast looks like America looks now, and that’s certainly intentional.” It is always stressed that Hamilton is “America then, as told by America now.” This is a genius move for the production, which is a revolutionary way of breaking the barriers of cultural differences. After all, talent knows no race. “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,” Miranda stated in an interview.
Moreover, Hamilton’s musical language is also revolutionary in its own right. Prior to this mega-buzzy bio-musical hit, attempts to fuse Broadway and hip-hop have been coldly unsuccessful. Shows like the Tupac-inspired musical “Holler If Ya Hear Me” have failed to successfully bridge rap and musical theater. However, Hamilton proved that these two genres can work together. Critics have consistently praised the seamless integration of rap and storytelling in this show.
“Hamilton is the kind of transformative theatrical experience that has only happened a few times in the history of American musicals. It joins the likes of Show Boat, Oklahoma! and West Side Story as game changers, innovative productions that forever redefined what came after them.” – The Guardian
This June 21, New Orleans fans will be privileged enough to witness this ground-breaking musical show. The famous production is back on the road again for its 2022 tour, and it will make a stop at Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. Seize this chance to see it live, as this is a rare opportunity for the musical to tour around the country. It can be noted that the last time Hamilton toured was in 2019. Broadway’s Pierre Jean Gonzalez, Edred Utomi, and Julius Thomas III will play the lead role of Hamilton in each of the acts of the show. Secure your tickets now and let the genius lyrics, choreography, costumes, orchestrations, and impressive raps take you on a one-of-a-kind history lesson that will take you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions!
