The Thread for HAMILTON Fans/Obsessives [SPOILERS AHEAD]

[NYadgal]

PalJoey,

I don't know HOW I missed seeing that video of Opening night until now - but WOW!    

Everything about it gave me chills.  There is nothing like the experience of live theatre.

This show is really something special. . .

[macnyc]

I was just watching the video of Steven Pasquale at the Ham4Ham show tonight. Even under those circumstances, recording out on a busy street, horns blaring, etc., he sounded lovely. He would make a fine King George replacement when Jonathan Groff has to film his movie! I wonder if he would be available. 

[ChiTheaterFan]

That would be a great choice!

 

Did anyone see Harcourt as Burr?  I think he's a very talented guy, but I have to say, Odom Jr. is the only one I'd still be REALLY disappointed to see out, no matter how many times I see the show. Anyone else I'd love to see how someone else handled the role at this point, having seen it 3x now. Still hoping to check out a show with Javier one of these days. 

[asmith0307]

So it looks like there are going to be two new cast members in Hamilton. Who is leaving?

 

https://instagram.com/p/7rDPlatFHCthUKAi3lbL0-V7aDhLqHNQrR0SM0/

[mamaleh]

Saw today's matinee.  I'd seen it only once at the Public, so I was looking forward to a re-viewing.  It's still such an exhilarating, thrilling experience.  But I was disappointed that Leslie Odom, Jr., was out as Burr today.  His u/s Harcourt was OK but didn't really shine  until "The Room Where it Happens"--and even then, I missed Odom's charisma. 

Question: Exactly when are the Ham4Ham pre-shows now?  Does Saturday's take place before the matinee lottery, or does it take place before the evening lottery?   Would have LOVED to see Steve Pasquale as Lin's special guest today, but I'm glad his appearance was captured on Bwayworld video. 

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Gerald Avery and Kamille Upshaw are both vacation swings who will begin stepping in late this month or early October.

In other related Hamilton cast news, Thayne Jasperson is now listed as the official King George understudy and Neil Haskell is learning the track as well. Andrew Chappelle is officially a super-duper swing, as he now covers Aaron Burr, as well as Laurens/Phillip Hamilton, Lafayette/Jefferson, Mulligan/Madison, and the male ensemble.

 

[ChiTheaterFan]

They do the ham4ham performances on 2-show days between shows. Originally Miranda said they'd only occasionally do others as well but it seems like they're doing them pretty consistently on Fridays as well  

 

Sorry to hear you were there today when Leslie was out. I'd have been disappointed too. I don't know that anyone could live up to his performance. 

[dramamama611]

I'm going to agree with the above statements about bring disappointed not seeing Odom.  Found him to be the most riveting performer, the one I can't stop thinking about (among many wonderful performances).  I'd too be sad to miss him on future trips, but welcome understudies in all other roles! 

 

This is why I really want Odom to be both nominated and WIN in the lead actor category.  I cannot even imagine anyone else in this role.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Completely agree, dramamama!  To me, he is not featured; he is lead along with Miranda. I see it as similar to Val Jean/Javier and both Colm Wilkenson and Terrence Mann were nominated in the lead category.  And although I hate to pick someone who should win this early when almost every other show has yet to open, I have a hard time imagining anyone giving a better, more riveting, more memorable performance. And yes, the fact that I can't imagine anyone else in that role shows exactly what he has done with the character. I mean, it is also not easy to make the "villain" so sympathetic and heartbreaking. 

[mamaleh]

Thanks for the lottery show update, ChiTheaterFan.  It should undoubtedly come in handy in future.

[ChiTheaterFan]

No prob. Following Miranda on Twitter is a good way to keep informed, FYI. He usually tweets hints as to what the entertainment might be. 

[peacelovemagic1]

I saw the show last night for the first time so I guess I can't compare his performance, but Harcourt did an amazing job as Burr. He made you truly feel for him, and understand why he did what he did. His Room Where it Happened was also fantastic, and he has a wonderful voice! Certainly did not feel like it hurt my enjoyment of the show, although I do plan on trying to go back if I can to see Odom since he is amazing and I've loved him in all the preview things I've seen. 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Great to hear!  He does seem like he'd have the right presence for the role. 

[MyLife]

ChiTheaterFan said: "That would be a great choice! Did anyone see Harcourt as Burr?  I think he's a very talented guy, but I have to say, Odom Jr. is the only one I'd still be REALLY disappointed to see out, no matter how many times I see the show. Anyone else I'd love to see how someone else handled the role at this point, having seen it 3x now. Still hoping to check out a show with Javier one of these days. "

Harcourt was fantastic. I disagree that he didn't shine until Room Where It Happens. He has a different take on Burr from the start, which I think makes his impact from Room Where It Happens onward much more striking. His Burr is a little more aggressive from the beginning, almost as if to show that Burr has it in him the whole time to play on the same level as Hamilton but chooses not to until Room Where It Happens. With Odom, rather than holding back until Room... it feels more like Room turns on this switch in Burr you never thought existed. Light switch versus permission. They're subtle but different and both work really well.

[ChiTheaterFan]

So this is random but after seeing this tweet I kind of can't stop imagining Raul Esparza as King George III. https://twitter.com/RaulEEsparza/status/647419893315469312?s=17

 

 

[rjm516]

I'm officially obsessed with how genius this show is. It's really almost impeccable. During the show, I was lost in Daveed Diggs' charm, but it's Leslie who's haunting me days later. He really deserves the Tony. Oh my gosh. His subtle buildup to that last bit of The Room Where It Happens was remarkable. Such control of his character development. I also really really want Renee to be recognized. I can't stop listening to Satisfied, that was the most shattering scene. 

Are people finding Easter Eggs on the album? I'd love to share them here! So far I love the comment about the 'spending spree' that made me think of 96,000, and when Washington says he's a 'modern major general'. So fun! 

The only thing I don't like (in the album and also noticed in the show) is Eliza's "I do I do I do I do" in the beginning of 'Helpless'. It's kind of scatty and jazzy but in a strange kind of voice; does anyone get this? 

 

[musicalfool]

I totally agree about Odom.  He is truly a revelation and having seen him twice, I cannot imagine another performer in this role.  His songs are the ones I am obsessively listening to on the album.  WAIT FOR IT may be my favorite song of the last decade.

[rjm516]

^ lol 'Wait for It' is the song I have had on repeat all day today! I do not want to stop it! Oh my gosh just wow. 

I think my fave rhyme so far is "and I'm the oldest and the wittiest and the gossip in New York City is insidious". But horses/intercourse/corsets line is pretty amazing too. 

[rcwr]

Because I won't be seeing it (until it tours someday), and because this is the spoilers thread, I have a plot question. The thing between Alexander and Angelica -- is it an emotional affair? Or it is also a physical affair?  I wonder if the staging is clear about this. (Or maybe I'm missing a detail in the recording?)

[ChairinMain]

Emotional. 

[dramamama611]

^This.  (And I wonder how exaggerated it might be, but I'm not through with the book)

[FindingNamo]

In case you haven't seen the Rolling Stone feature on Lin-Manuel, here it is.  It gives insight into what I found to be his remarkable understanding of the depths of grief:  

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/hamilton-meet-the-man-behind-broadways-hip-hop-masterpiece-20150929

[ChiTheaterFan]

dramamama611 said: "^This.  (And I wonder how exaggerated it might be, but I'm not through with the book)"

 

I'm not finished either but there is some dramatization involved for purposes of the show. For example, she was actually married when they met. But they did write letters extensively and, as reflected in the show, she kept in touch with him on politics. Since not a lot was documented about the women from that time, it's hard to know much of what really happened beyond what was left in letters and such. 

 

In the book, Chernow also goes into much more detail on his relationship with the men--particularly Laurens and to a lesser extent Lafayette. His letters to Laurens were particularly emotional, and Chernow questions whether it was just due to the writing style at the time or something more in their relationship. In fact, in one of the letters his family posthumously scratched out part of the letter with the annotation "we can't publish this" or something similar. (I don't remember the exact phrase and I can't find it in the book right now.) 

 

The bottom line is no one really knows what any of these relationships were because the only record of jt is letters. I highly recommend anyone interested read the Chernow book. It's taking me awhile to get through it but it's quite fascinating. Although now when I read it I picture the stars of Hamilton. :)

[Brick]

ICYMI: an incredible interview Lin-Manuel did with Rembert Browne. One of the best interviews I've read by him, going into detail about the creation of the show, navigating his career post-Heights, and one fantastic story of how Heights almost had a cameo in Hamilton. A remarkable interview.

http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/genius-a-conversation-with-hamilton-maestro-lin-manuel-miranda/

[rcwr]

Thanks guys! 

[MrSweetNAwful]

The people who say the racially diverse casting is integral to the dramaturgy of Hamilton and not a by-product of colorblind casting are correct. It's not a matter of a specific diverse cast playing fictional characters like Two Gentlemen or some productions of Les Miz. This is a historical show with a purposefully built-in anachronistic racial representation, like Pacific Overtures depicting American military members as broad Japanese charicatures intended to be played exclusively by Asian actors.