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?

Rest assured we will not be singing 🤣

It’s the best I’ve seen by far and I’ve seen a fair few musicals

Nothing stacks up imo

The energy is incredible

😂

It's my favorite show. The music is fantastic and lyrically so clever. It's fast paced and humorous in parts. Just book it!

Interesting pov.

I love the whole thing but favour the first half with all the war drama and emotional stuff.

My daughter - a law and politics student, prefers the second half.

I think people will be studying Hamilton in school in 200 years time. Honestly, best musical ever.

I love it, but then I studied History so I get all the little references that others may have missed e.g. "sally, be a dear, won't you open it?" - Sally was allegedly Jefferson's mistress.
I've seen it twice now and also on Disney. I don't think any version can beat the original version though. The cast are just SO good.
Satisfied is my favourite song - Renee and that voice. The pain she conveys.
You won't regret seeing it but definitely watch it on Disney plus first.
edited to add - I found the second half did drag a bit.

If you loved Les Mis, think of it as a spin off.

In real life, Lafayette was one of the coffin bearers at Lamarque's funeral.

The beauty of both shows is that they're a retelling of history through the lens of theatre.

Hamilton is lyrically superb and brilliantly staged.

It's incredible. Watched it on Disney plus in lockdown and saw it live a couple months ago.

It was filmed in 2015/2016 so long before it was released on Disney. LMM was in the cast at that time, as were all the originals. He's the best Hamilton by far and multi talented.

I've only seen it on Disney+ and thought it was brilliant - but sooooo long that we watched it in a couple of sittings. I didn't feel the need to see it live after that but I can imagine it's very good. I think it would be much more useful to know something of the history than to learn the songs.

@motheronthedancefloor - I see where @Home1mprov3ments is coming from, even though I think LMM is a genius. The Hamilton I saw onstage had the most incredible voice that he added something extra for me. I loved both versions though!

I thought it was brilliant. I was advised to watch it on Disney before the theatre which I did but actually I don't think it was necessary. I agree with pp who says not to do that as I was blown away by the Disney version & would have loved to have had that experience from the theatre

Yes, this thread (I know, not all posters) is reminding me of those frequent threads about people ‘researching’ Disney holidays (meal plans, fast passes, difference ride waiting times, character restaurants etc etc) as if they were plotting to invade a country! If a musical requires intensive preparation to be an audience member, doesn’t that suggest it doesn’t quite work as a musical?

I hated it, really boring but too intense at the same time

It is a thousand times better than Six (which is just a Spice Girls pastiche, and not a proper musical). I've seen Hamilton 3 times, and it's still fantastic. The story may sound dull, but you will get caught up in it.... I cry when George Washington steps down as President! Beautifully staged, clever, thoughtful.... just book it, you won't regret it.

I think it's less important to know the words but to know the history.

What makes Hamilton such a success is a very good use of social media and YouTube it started off as Lin reading Ron Chernows biography on holiday and then did a bit at a White House spoken word event before working on it properly, Hamil tapes and the Hamilton Mix Tapes with modern versions of the songs released on youtube. Extremely clever interweaving of musical and music styles into the lyrics and musical stylings of the show but much more subtly than Moulin rouge or similar. There is an accompanying book which is beautiful called "Hamilton The Revolution" which goes into the nuances of the creative process, the decisions on the choreography and what things represent which makes the show so much 'more'. I think it was the first show to really be completely open and pull the audience into the creative process.

You can enjoy it without deep diving into the background of it but it does make it more enjoyable. The Ron Chernows Hamilton biography is a beast but when you read it you can see where he pieced different bits together.

Disagree that LMM is the best Hamilton. Yes his song writing and lyrics are brilliant but there are better performers. The actor I saw in the 2019 London production was better in the role than LMM, as was the 2022 West End one we saw (although not as amazing as the one in 2019).

I agree he's multi talented - never said he wasn't. But his voice is too weak against the rest of the cast. I couldn't watch the Disney recording because of it. When i watch a musical, the singing is one of the main reasons to watch it. He's not a great singer. I'm pleased for him that his version of the character of Hamilton, played exactly as he saw the character is out there but I'm allowed to not enjoy it.

The person who played Hamilton when i saw it in London was far better and meant the whole experience was more engaging. So i disagree that he's the best Hamilton - but as I've only seen one other so i couldn't possibly say who was the best overall of all the people who ever played the role.

Loved it! I saw it three times - first time I enjoyed it, but I got so much more out of if the second time as it is so densely and cleverly written, and moves so fast that there are details on rewatching you don’t see the first time. It brilliantly captures so many emotions - ambition, rebellion, love, jealousy, parenthood, grief, etc etc and each time with a song that just gets it.

It really is incredible.

For knowing the words - think of it like going to a concert. You appreciate it mich more if you know the songs so can concentrate on the performance.

Thanks, I will be ordering this (for me not DD!) as I found reading the explanations online hard going!

I would see it again. It’s pretty much ruined all other musicals for me now

Exactly this. It is quite long though and six is a concert rather than a musical so it would be a huge leap!

I'm a massive fan. I went to see it knowing none of the songs or storyline and was absolutely blown away by it.

I've seen to twice since (having become extremely familiar with the soundtrack) and it just gets better and better every time. It's so layered and complex.

I also read the book 'My Dear Hamilton' which tells Betsy's (Eliza's) story and is really good. That helped me appreciate it more.

If someone tells me they don't like Hamilton, or have no interest in it, I know they're not my kind of person! My in-laws declared it boring, which tells me everything....

PS my username (and most of my previous usernames!) are lines from Hamilton...

I feel like mumsnet needs a Musicals topic board (unless there’s one I’ve missed). Or a broader theatre board.