AIBU to tell you to sell everything you own and buy Hamilton tickets?

[LyraPotter]

Saw the matinee this afternoon and honestly think it was the si god greatest cultural experience of my entire life and now all I want to do is talk about it forever

[lookingforthecorkscrew]

Yes, and Sondheim

[KathyBeale]

I think there is a certain amount of zeitgeist involved but it’s definitely not Emperor’s New Clothes.

When it first started in the US I listened to the soundtrack on Spotify, just to see what all the fuss was about. It was so brilliant I have listened endlessly since and that was about 18 months ago.

[AntArcticFox]

Now I've enjoyed particular songs from Sondheim but watching full musicals left me cold.

I'll probably see this in 5 years when the tickets are easy to pick up in the sticks!

[ScottishDiblet]

Ooh I’m excited! My friend has tickets and is taking me in March but also I’m going with my family in July. Is that a waste or will I want to go twice? I love Les Mis and most musicals!

[lookingforthecorkscrew]

You’ll want to go twice

[Teufelsrad]

I normally love musicals but it really doesn't appeal. I've listened to most of the soundtrack and it didn't help.

The hype over it on Tumblr possibly killed it for me, though I'm not a hip hop fan which doesn't help.

I'm glad you enjoyed it though.

[notapizzaeater]

Keep checking the sites, I'm going in 6 weeks on a Saturday night, 6 rows back and we got them for £37.50 each (3 going) off ticketmaster

[LyraPotter]

@chimchar keep an eye on the ticketmaster website and the Hamilton west end website. I'm not sure if new tickets have been officially announced, a friend of mine who works in the theatre told me that's when they would be!

@juliesaway it's not anti-trump except that it's very pro-immigration (Hamilton himself was an immigrant to the US). One of the most revolutionary aspects of is is that the cast is largely people of colour, so there is a real aspect of reclaiming the history of America and showing that even though people of colour were excluded from the narrative it doesn't mean that it isn't their history too. And on top of that it's just wildly entertaining - the music is beautiful and the lyrics are genuinely Shakespearean in their brilliance.

In some ways there is an element of zeitgeist - trump has certainly made immigration a hot issue. But it's also just an incredible story - the story of how a nation is born and the story of how a tragic hero can both make and destroy their own life.

@AnArcticFox I like musicals but not a super fan. La la land left me a bit cold and I've never seen a musical in the west end under my own steam before (have been with friends etc). I got into the soundtrack of Hamilton first and then bought tickets as a result.

[LyraPotter]

@scottishdiblet you'll absolutely want to go twice! I do!

[ferrier]

Well put LadyIsabella and corkscrew.
It does for musicals what Beethoven did for symphonies.

[peachgreen]

@juliesaway I was (and am) as enthusiastic about London Road which is a musical about (recent) British history. Nothing to do with the subject matter - it's just wonderfully written.

[peachgreen]

@AntArcticFox La La Land was an abomination as a musical, imo. It was a fun enough watch but the songs weren't very strong and the performances were pretty bad (both Emma and Ryan are great actors but definitely not musical theatre professionals). I don't think any movie musical really compares to a stage musical though - even the really good ones are a very different experience.

[lookingforthecorkscrew]

I love Hamilton, and Sondheim, and tbh Les Amis (but only live). I have zero interest in ever seeing La La Land.

[MrsLinManuelMiranda]

Well , my user name may be a bit of a giveaway, but I am absolutely obsessed with it. Unfortunately because of my job and where I live I had limited availability as to when I could get to see it. I am going at the end of March but I bought the tickets January last year. I play the OBC recording on a loop in my car.

[ElliePhillips]

I'm going in June. Bought my tickets in the October 2016 pre-sale. I have never bought tickets for something so far in advance before. Especially without knowing too much about it.

I don't like musicals (except West Side Story), and I'm only mildly into hiphop and R n B so I do wonder if I will really like it.

I do generally LOVE the theatre though and seen as I was I able to buy tickets when so many people seem sad that they were an unable to I feel I should try to be more enthusiastic about it. I've got great seats too. But I'm starting to feel a bit meh about it.

Was anyone else unenthusiastic before they went and then blown away on the night?

[lookingforthecorkscrew]

West Side Story is

[ImCatbug]

I absolutely ADORE Hamilton and totally agree, if you like musicals then GO SEE IT.
I saw an early preview show and then managed to snag last minute tickets for official opening night - it was absolutely incredible. LMM was there making a speech at the end and the passion that man has brings me to tears, he’s amazing.
I memorised the entirety oflistened to the soundtrack a lot before seeing it and it honestly doesn’t detract from the show at all. In fact, it’s great to see how other actors perform certain parts, and how the songs actually look in person when you’ve only imagined them for so long.
To the PP mentioning people waiting outside for the actors - I did this the first time I went and quite a few of them came down the line and gave autographs and photos. They were lovely! I am especially fond of Cleve September and Tarrin Callender (Laurens/Phillip and Mulligan/Madison) as they were so genuinely friendly and happy to be there. I have a programme covered in autographs now and am hoping to do it again next time I go (DH and I bought tickets in pre-sale so managed to book to see it again!)

[AnthonyJoshuasMrs]

@ElliePhilllips I misread your question as was anyone else under anaesthetic when they went, which I thought was a very odd thing to do given the cost of tickets

[AlexanderHamilton]

With my username I have to join this thread don't I?

Going in February. The kids are very excited.

[peachgreen]

@ElliePhillips I think you'll appreciate it as theatre even if you don't love the music. I wouldn't be put off by not liking hip hop though - the music is outstanding, regardless of genre.

[Notso]

I just listened to one of the songs. I'm clearly missing something, it sounds like a Horrible Histories parody.

[AntArcticFox]

LaLaland detour: I have only watched the you tube clip of the most lauded routine in Lalaland and it was shocking - so much nothingness. (I'd not make a film or theatre critic!)

I was about to pick up the dvd but have saved myself the bother.

My current you tube favourites are Fred and Ginger. He had a fantastic way of putting a lyric across despite not having a remarkable voice. Sondheim said he would have liked Astaire to sing his songs.

It sounds like Hamilton is a proper show and I wish everyone a great time!

[LizzieSiddal]

I wonder if Trump has seen it?😂

Can I ask a question. I love musicals and there was a lot of hype over The Book Of Mormons, Dh and I went to see it and walked out during the interval. I didn’t want to wait around to find out if all the woman were going to be mutaliated . I just don’t find that kind of thing funny. I know I must be odd as everyone else seems to love it. Does Hamilton have anything like that in it?

[AlexanderHamilton]

Anyone who hasn't seen it yet watch out for The Bullet.

It's a female member of the ensemble who seems to always be there at the important moments, pushing Alexander towards his fate. She physically embodies the bullet that eventually kills him.

[lookingforthecorkscrew]

Lizzie Trump says it is ‘overrated’. He has never seen it.