Hamilton

[Geminijust]

DD18 says she would like to see Hamilton for a birthday treat. Doesn't seem to know much about it but has heard a couple of songs she likes and said "I feel I ought to see it".

I've tried listening to the soundtrack and it seems OK, with a couple of decent tracks ( I know it can take a while to learn songs so will perservere). I googled the plot and I have to say it sounds a bit dull. I told DD if she really wants to see it I'll book it but we must learn the songs beforehand. Did that with SIX and loved it but this has many many more songs.

Reviews seem mixed, people seem to love it or hate it.

Well, it seems she's keen to go so it looks like I will be booking.

I generally like musicals. Loved Les Mis, Jamie, Evita, Billy Elliot for example. Hated Phantom, King & I.

Any tips on how to get the best out of it?

Im a self-designated Hamilton Superfan. Seen it so many times I can’t remember how many. Going yet again next week and I CANNOT WAIT!

Definitely go see it! Watch it on Disney or don’t. Learn the songs or don’t. Either way it’s great!

Oh yes @Stressedoutforever, I still don't get why they doubled up on those actors. It was odd and confusing. I'm sure they could've got other actors so why did they do that?

Haha! I’ve had the soundtrack on loop SINCE 2020!

i went by myself during work trip to london. thought it was expensive for 1 x ticket befire i went. but omg. best night ever. loved it!

We went without knowing much beyond the title- really enjoyed it- its visually very impressive on stage. We booked end rows at the front as they were cheaper and feel it offered good value as we didn't miss a lot. I wouldn't watch the disney show beforehand because it's better to turn up and take the characters with the casting you have for your show, every actor plays it a little bit differently. The idea of learning the songs beforehand sounds a bit grim- they have meaning for where they are in the show- I don't think that would help you.

It's the best musical either me or dh have ever seen. Truly outstanding.

After I'd seen it (in person and then the Disney + recording), I had a full read through of all the lyrics. Any bits you missed in the storyline then just make total sense and really bring the story to life even more. I listen to the soundtrack fairly often now and watch the whole thing in my head, it's great to clean to 😂

Reading some of the background about AH is also fascinating although it makes you realise there was a HUGE amount of artistic licence taken with some bits - so if this would spoil it for you, don't go digging!

I'd definitely watch it first on Disney +, then read up a bit on Hamilton, as it jt is a fascinating story. I disagree with other posters, I love listening to the songs first them.seeing them blow you away live. Put The Room where it happens, Helpless, what did I miss, Alexander Hamilton, Burn, you'll be back , i to name a few on a playlist and have it on round the house. I think going in blind would be hard.

Bit if you have some familarity with the story and music you'll be blown away. I'd go and see it again in a heartbeat 💓

I've seen this twice (thrice if you include watching it on Disney+). It's amazing. Second time was with my 12y year old daughter, she didn't really get the plot, but tbh, that didn't matter as she was just absorbed in the amazingness of it all.

I thought LMM casting himself as Hamilton brought the Disney plus version down - he was too old and his singing was weak. I couldn't get through the whole thing.

On stage with a decent actor and singer as Hamilton, it absolutely blew me away.

American war of independence

I saw it not long after it opened and didn't like it at all. I've studied American politics and so knew who the people were and the events behind the story. That almost made it worse.
The cast weren't very good with two notable exceptions. The costumes weren't great. The colour blind casting was heavy handed. It was all a bit to try hard and designed for an American audience.
Overall I thought it was clunky and hard work.

If you want to know the background without having to do a deep dive on Wikipedia, Dan Snow has a podcast episode about Alexander Hamilton that is pretty interesting and easy to follow.

I’ve asked DH to take me to see the show for my birthday later this year but I recently caved and watched the Disney + show, and I’m so glad I did- it’s fantastic and now I’m SO excited to see it in the theatre!

Watch it on Disney plus. Someone here recommended watching with subtitles at first which really helps. I love it more each time I watch it. Would love to see the live show one day.

Hamilton is amazing, Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece for Lin Manuel Miranda. His lyrics are genius.

I went to see it in Edinburgh with my DS and we were blown away. Had seen the original on Disney+ but it's even better in person.

There is a really good synopsis on Wikipaedia that explains it scene by scene. Such a good show.

@Shinyandnew1 im
with you!!

😂 that’s what I meant! I need more sleep.

I don't like musicals but my DS wanted to go and I loved it.

I love musicals and have seen loads of them. Saw Hamilton last month and didn't really love it which was a shame as it was soooo expensive! I could tell the audience were loving it but I thought it was just a bit samey throughout, songs all sounded similar and no change in set etc. Maybe I am not sophisticated enough 🤣!

I wasn’t expecting to like it. DH actively hates musicals. We LOVED it!

I saw it in London and was in awe of it. My ds knows all the words! Booked again on its tour.
Just listen and enjoy.

I wish I knew what I missed that everyone else is raving about! I thought it was 3 hours of repetitious lyrics, a very dull brown stage set that never really changed, the history wasn’t even interesting and all about an unedifying boring man that cheats on his wife with some poor wretch who comes to him for help.

Very disappointing after all the hype.

Apparently I’m the only person on the planet that thinks like that though…🤷🏻‍♀️

I would love to see it live!

I’ve never ever felt the need to learn the songs for a musical before I’ve seen it, obviously some of the most well known ones I knew but not all - isn’t that part of the fun?

Just go, it’s brilliant, I took my dad at Christmas and it was a surprise for him as his Christmas present and he loved it too.

Don't overthink it - enjoy!