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Original poster

How good is Hamilton (the musical)?

124 replies

WhereMyRosemaryGoes · 22/04/2023 20:03

We live in a place that doesn't often get high-end entertainment. A decent production of Hamilton will be playing near us later this year and I need to make a decision.

I do love musicals, but I don't know much about Hamilton.

The reason I'm hesitating is because tickets are quite expensive. We can afford them (at the expense of something else), but I only want to afford them if it's amazing.

So...
A) Holy shit it's amazing you HAVE to see it
B) It's fun.

OP posts:
AP5Diva · 22/04/2023 23:09

A for absolutely awful.

SheilaFentiman · 22/04/2023 23:11

A

I saw the Disney twice and listened to the soundtrack a lot, the rest of the family went in more or less cold (I did a quick 5 mins on who Hamilton was before curtain up) and they all loved it as much as me!

dayswithaY · 22/04/2023 23:18

Not for me. Just don’t get it, it really needs a narrator.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Theatre
AP5Diva · 22/04/2023 23:19

“His story of moving to America as a penniless immigrant to the great man he became is nothing short of incredible.’

🤣🤣 Yes I’m sure it was super hard being born a bastard to the mistress of a rich Scottish slave trader, then sailing in one of Daddy’s slave ships from an idyllic Caribbean childhood to attend Columbia University. Making a name for himself being the usual entitled activist student distributing inflammatory fuck the British pamphlets. Then making his “own way” by marrying a rich wife from a high society New York family, living off her money, in her house on her land that her family stole from the native Americans.

MrsMariaReynolds · 23/04/2023 13:43

It is outstanding! But also very long!Definitely study up on the story beforehand to get the most out of it.

SheilaFentiman · 23/04/2023 14:22

Not at all biased @MrsMariaReynolds ?

MyHusbandisRonWeasley · 23/04/2023 16:36

A definitely. If you watch on Disney plus do not be put off as I was. Took my Hamilton obsessed DD to see it in London and I was totally blown away. It was the most amazing musical I've ever seen. Listen to the music a lot before you go!

ASGIRC · 23/04/2023 16:36

ClaraThePigeon · 22/04/2023 20:05

It depends. Most people seem to love it but I hated it and really disliked the music even though I usually love musicals.

Same for me. I tried watching it on Disney+ during the first lockdown, but didn[t even get to the end of act I.

I then had the chance to see it in London, for very cheap, and decided to give it another shot, maybe the magic of live theatre would work... Nope. Still hated it.

Its the music, I think. I dont like rap, so I just could not connect to it at all.

It had some decent moments, but I was mostly looking at my watch, wondering how much longer I would have to suffer through it.

Fudgewomble · 23/04/2023 16:39

A
but you have to like or at least tolerate rap music. Friend who is a classical musician really didn’t like it. I’m also musical but have much broader tastes and loved it. I’m also a history buff so knew all the historical figures so didn’t have any trouble following the storyline

ASGIRC · 23/04/2023 16:43

MuffinToSeeHere · 22/04/2023 20:22

I'm going to be honest here you didn't enjoy it because you went in cold. Everyone I know who hated it did the same. It's one of those that you can't just go and see with no background knowledge, understanding of the story or not knowing the songs. Going in cold is not advisable and no wonder you hated it.

Show quote history

Thats not a very good endorsement... A good musical has to be good even if you have ZERO knowledge of it.

When I saw Come From Away, for instance, I hadnt hear a single chord of a single song. I only knew the rough subject matter (but not even the actual history of it), and as soon as the opening number started, I knew I was gonna love it.

With Hamilton, I knew instantly I WASNT going to like it. The music is just not my style, regardless of the rest of the show. I knew some of the songs from working on some revue shows, but that still did nothing for me...

Meredusoleil · 23/04/2023 16:53

Before reading this thread, I had heard nothing but good things about this musical. I love musicals in general and also love Lin Manuel Miranda's work, but now I'm not sure if I should book to see Hamilton, as I don't like rap music much!

If it's like In the Heights, Encanto or Moana I think I will like it. But if its like Tick Tick Boom, then I probably won't. Anyone advise me either way? Have started listening to the soundtrack on YouTube but there are 48 tracks to get through!

RampantIvy · 23/04/2023 16:56

Its the music, I think. I dont like rap, so I just could not connect to it at all.

And that is exactly why I didn't like it. I tried watching it on Disney Plus, and gave up after half an hour. It was monotonous and boring. I really, really dislike rap. I just switch off when I hear any.

Hbh17 · 23/04/2023 17:00

I have seen just about every musical going and I would put it in my top 3 of all time. I have just booked to see it on the UK tour, and I've seen it twice in London.

Figgygal · 23/04/2023 17:19

I have only seen the disney plus recording but was obsessed by it for some time
I listen to the cast recording when out walking
I dont think I can go see it live noone can compare to that original cast for Me

Pinkflipflop85 · 23/04/2023 17:38

Meredusoleil · 23/04/2023 16:53

Before reading this thread, I had heard nothing but good things about this musical. I love musicals in general and also love Lin Manuel Miranda's work, but now I'm not sure if I should book to see Hamilton, as I don't like rap music much!

If it's like In the Heights, Encanto or Moana I think I will like it. But if its like Tick Tick Boom, then I probably won't. Anyone advise me either way? Have started listening to the soundtrack on YouTube but there are 48 tracks to get through!

Tick tick boom wasn't written by Lin Manual though...

EasyPeelersAreNotSatsumas · 23/04/2023 17:59

RampantIvy · 23/04/2023 16:56

Its the music, I think. I dont like rap, so I just could not connect to it at all.

And that is exactly why I didn't like it. I tried watching it on Disney Plus, and gave up after half an hour. It was monotonous and boring. I really, really dislike rap. I just switch off when I hear any.

The whole thing grated on my ears.
It was so obvious that quite a few of the audience were not enjoying it but wanted to appear cool.
I had to leave the theatre.

RampantIvy · 23/04/2023 18:02

It was so obvious that quite a few of the audience were not enjoying it but wanted to appear cool.

Clearly, there are a lot of "cool" mumsnetters then Grin

Cookerhood · 23/04/2023 18:11

It was ok but I wouldn't bother again. We watched it on Disney afterwards but only got through the first half & never went back to it.
Come from Away on the other hand...
(PS anyone seen Oklahoma!?). Awful.

MMMarmite · 23/04/2023 19:41

ASGIRC · 23/04/2023 16:43

Thats not a very good endorsement... A good musical has to be good even if you have ZERO knowledge of it.

When I saw Come From Away, for instance, I hadnt hear a single chord of a single song. I only knew the rough subject matter (but not even the actual history of it), and as soon as the opening number started, I knew I was gonna love it.

With Hamilton, I knew instantly I WASNT going to like it. The music is just not my style, regardless of the rest of the show. I knew some of the songs from working on some revue shows, but that still did nothing for me...

Show quote history

I loved it the first time I saw it (on disney plus). But my favourite thing about it is the lyrical complexity and history, which have meant that it's grown and grown on me over time, as I've understood more.

ASGIRC · 23/04/2023 19:50

MMMarmite · 23/04/2023 19:41

I loved it the first time I saw it (on disney plus). But my favourite thing about it is the lyrical complexity and history, which have meant that it's grown and grown on me over time, as I've understood more.

Show quote history

Oh, yeah, thats completely valid. Ive grown to love some musicals more, the more I listen to the soundtrack as well. But I did love them from the start.

The only show I wasnt sure of at first, but then grew to absolutely LOVE, was Groundhog Day. But that was because I wasnt seeing the finished product. I was working adhoc, backstage, during tech rehearsals. But as we got to a full run, I was sold!

CharlotteDoyle · 23/04/2023 20:46

Question for all the fans: if I've only seen it on Disney+ (and absolutely loved it) is it worth seeing in the west end? Im worried about being disappointed

aberlot · 23/04/2023 20:46

CharlotteDoyle · 23/04/2023 20:46

Question for all the fans: if I've only seen it on Disney+ (and absolutely loved it) is it worth seeing in the west end? Im worried about being disappointed

You will not be disappointed with the live show.

rootsandwings89 · 23/04/2023 20:47

A

MintyCedric · 24/04/2023 12:46

HundredMilesAnHour · 22/04/2023 20:18

I disagree with this. I deliberately went in 'cold'. I wanted to be wowed rather than already be familiar with everything (that doesn't appeal to me in the slightest although clearly that's different for others).

I saw it on Broadway, from row D so very close to the stage. The delivery was excellent although the actor playing Hamilton was extremely short and I found that distracting (shallow but true - he was really short!!). I enjoyed it but I found the second half a little long and definitely padded out with some less impressive parts/songs. Overall it was very good but I wouldn't spend the money to see it again. Nor would I watch it on Disney or listen to the soundtrack.

I have reservations as to how well it might translate to a less professional production. That could be rather grim.

Show quote history

Interesting you say that about the second half.

I went in cold too and slightly preferred the first half, my daughter, who is studying British and American politics liked the second.

So basically she’s ethics and I’m good old fashioned war and romance!

Having listened to the sound track extensively since, there is a lot of wit and humour in the second half that would be enhanced by knowing a bit of the political background.

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