Hamilton bway vs Hamilton tour- which to see?

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 4:59pm

So I am planing a trip in to NY  early next yr. There is one tkt avail for Hamilton in rear mezz @ $404. US. during the time I will be there. Toronto is also getting the tour in 2019 and while it won't be much less it will be in Canadian dollars.  Now that the originals are gone do you think I should just wait for the tour or pony up the big bucks for what is at best a mediocre seat?

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 5:03pm

I love Hamilton dearly, but there are better (in my opinion, mind you) shows out there. The tour cast is quite good, and you'd basically be getting the same show with a stronger cast for cheaper. Go check out Hello Dolly, Anastasia, and (depending on when you'll be going) Carousel and My Fair Lady.

[South Florida]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 5:04pm

I don't think it matters where you see the show at this point.  $400 is outrageous.  Id get on a line before I spent tnat, that's insane, this is not the Super Bowl, especially when soon it will be permanently in 4 locations + the tour.  Not me, The return line should get you 6th row center orchestra for $220 if you want to do that, that's still a lot but not too bad.  I'd wait for Toronto if you don't want to do the line.

[DebraR]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 5:21pm

I saw the original cast with my older daughter, amazing, and then a year later another cast (in NY) and was really disappointed/underwhelmed.  I hear the touring company is incredible (im in LA and will see it in December).  I wouldn't spend that kind of money now if you are able to see it on tour. So many great shows there now and coming soon.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 5:43pm

The current Broadway cast is not that great. 

[adagio]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 5:51pm

The NYC cast in Jan was incredibly weak in comparison to the OBC and the Chicago cast. I wouldn't spend $400 on a rear mezz seat for them.

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 5:56pm

The touring company is the best company at the moment. I'm not sure if the current leads will still be a part of the company by the time the tour hits Toronto. I wouldn't see any company but the current tour. Outside of the Lafayette (who is STELLAR and very different but on par with Daveed I dare say) and a few other standout performances, the current Chicago cast is really suffering since Olivo's departure. Montego is painfully miscast. The current Broadway company is also not very impressive.

Updated On: 9/16/17 at 05:56 PM

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 5:58pm

I'd agree with all the sentiments above. Saw the OBC and fell in love! Saw it again the next year and was INCREDIBLY underwhelmed. Live in LA and have already seen the tour a few times and have fallen in love all over again. The cast and production are amazing. Don't spent that much on the Broadway production and just wait. Use that money towards Hello, Dolly, The Band's Visit or Dear Evan Hansen.

[sacteach]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 6:13pm

I was never able to see the OBC, but I *LOVE* the current touring cast. I saw it five times in San Francisco and plan to see it in LA. I'm going to NY in November, and debating see it, but honestly I love the touring cast so much that I'm content if that's all I see. I'm spending my money on other shows in NYC -for that same $400 I can see at least two more shows

[BIG BALONEY]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 7:14pm

Paid $10 when I won the lottery for the show. Paying $400. WELL ARE YOU THAT DESPERATE. 

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 7:35pm

Saw many of these current cast members last December. With the exception of Munoz and Lexi Lawson, everyone seemed to be phoning it in. It's almost like since Hamilton is such an event, there's very little...spark...among the actors. Same with Aladdin, but I noticed that the original cast seemed to have given up enthusiasm in the ~2 years since I'd seen them first.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 7:56pm

I have to agree with everyone else. I was lucky enough to see OBC of Hamilton 2 years ago. Paid $375 through hotel concierge for next day tickets for last row of rear mezzanine. I'm tall and have knee pain. I was in agony the whole time. It's still my favorite Broadway experience though. I do hope to see it again, but next time I'll be in the Orchestra. $400 is too much for rear mezzanine, especially now that the OBC is gone, it's touring, and it has been around a while. For that price, you could get Orchestra or front mezzanine tickets to many other popular shows (Hello Dolly, not sure what DEH is running now - I grabbed front mezzanine seat for $250 November 8 evening show before Ben's departure was announced). You could even see two or three shows for $400, especially if you play it right at TKTS, etc.

[Sunny11]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 8:35pm

See the tour, you won't have to remortgage your home to afford that.

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 9:04pm

wow-shocked to hear that most people think the tour is the best version of hamilton right now(it is really great- i saw numerous times in SF)

the most shocking part is the drop in NYC quality. for those that have seen it recently, what specifically is lacking? Isnt Javier a great hamilton? 

[Rainah]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 10:15pm

Some things to consider:

Toronto is a risk. I do not think Luwoye will be there, and Joshua Henry is already leaving. Without the standout leads, it's a gamble as to who will replace them. I don't think Solea will be there either. 

Early next year in NYC may also be a gamble, a lot of actors (Javi, Mandy, Lexi) have extended but I don't know how much or when their contracts are up again. 

The current broadway cast isn't terrible - they made a lot of positive changes since the first set that took over from the OBC. Medina as Laurens/Philip and of course Javier as Hamilton are standouts. 

I strongly recommend the cancellation line over stubhub. It's like 6-7 hours right now, and you get center orchestra for $230. Rear mezz for $400 is NOT worth it, as someone who is bloody obsessed. 

If you're only planning to see it once, wait for the tour.

[loveinnewyorkcity]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 11:01pm

My honest suggestion would be to wait a few years. Let the hype die down and ticket prices lower. 

I saw the tour in San Francisco a few months ago and the Broadway production recently, and both were extremely disappointed. And this is coming from a HUGE Hamilton fan. 

Both casts seemed bored with the material. No spark, no energy. 

The tour Hamilton (I'm bad with actor's names) paused and skipped lines twice cause he couldn't keep up with the music. 

Javi isnt a bad Hamilton, similar to Lin, but seems tired of the role. 

The rest of the Broadway cast...expendable. 

The tour cast was better but not spectacular, nor Broadway caliber by any standards. 

The tour Burr (bad with names, sorry) was the only stand-out. I'd say he'd give Leslie Odom Jr. a run for his money. The Angelica was ok.

I didn't pay over face value nor for premium seats and still think I overpaid. 

Heck, I didn't even know if it was worth a $10 lotto ticket. 

[Rainah]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 12:22am

broadwaysfguy said: "wow-shocked to hear that most people think the tour is the best version of hamilton right now(it is really great- i saw numerous times in SF)

the most shocking part is the drop in NYC quality. for those that have seen it recently, what specifically is lacking? Isnt Javier a great hamilton?"

Javi is a standout and the best decision they made after the OBC left. There were a few actors who were noticeably bad right off the bat (Including Seth Stewart in a role that did not suit him at all and was just really awful) actors who played it like discount versions of the OBC (Some are better about that now though) and actors with wildly different takes who are not everyone's cup of tea. The OBC is a lot to measure up against.

They've been fixing it. Replaced Seth and one or two others I thought were weak (Will not name names as I'm in the minority) but overall they need to bring in some really talented unknowns and really book the cast. Luwoye is gathering a lot of acclaim as Hamilton on the tour, if they're smart they'll transfer him back to the broadway company (In any role he's played for them) and get some Schuyler sisters that have the same balance of unique voices the OBC has. Out of every company, I've not seen the same three different styles... they all sound the same now

[Lkr3w]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 2:43am

I saw the OBC twice and they were magnificent, as I'm sure you would imagine. As for the comments about the replacements on Broadway, I've seen it twice since the OBC left. I won the lottery in November and must admit that I was somewhat underwhelmed (although I loved Javier!). I also saw it in July of this year and I thought the cast was much stronger. In particular, I adored Anthony Lee Medina, and while there is no replacement for Daveed, I thought James Monroe Inglehart was incredible. As for the tour, I didn't catch Michael Luwoye, but would LOVE to see him. I really don't think you can go wrong, but just wanted to provide some insight on how I think the replacement Broadaway cast has grown and improved immeasurably over time. 

[QueenTwinnied]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 2:54am

Visceral_Fella said: "The touring company is the best company at the moment. I'm not sure if the current leadswill still be a part of the company by the time the tour hits Toronto. I wouldn't see any companybut the current tour. Outside of the Lafayette (who is STELLAR and very different but on par with Daveed I dare say) and a few other standout performances, thecurrent Chicago cast is really suffering since Olivo's departure. Montego is painfully miscast. The current Broadway company is also not veryimpressive."

Can you elaborate on Montego being miscast? I've heard good things about her so far. 

[bear88]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 4:40am

I paid more than $400 each for three rear mezzanine tickets to the OBC (minus Lin - who got sick that day - and Onaodowan) in April 2016 so I'm one of those crazy people. Feel free to mock.

That said, I wouldn't pay the same amount of money now to see any Hamilton cast, anywhere. Seeing the OBC was one thing. Options were limited, especially for people like me who needed multiple seats, and I don't regret it. You've got options if you're going to New York if you really want to see the show (cancellation line, play the Stubhub waitng game). 

Saying the touring cast you'll see in Toronto in 2019 is better than the touring cast that I saw twice in San Francisco (now in LA) is a faulty comparison. The current touring cast is a different touring cast than the one you'll see in two years, just as the extended sit-down run that starts in San Francisco in 2019 will have a different cast than the one that just left. 

These things are always a gamble. But given that, I wouldn't assume too much. Shoot, even if someone is on the Broadway cast or on tour, they might get sick. (That's what happened with Lin; I saw Javier Munoz, who, at least when I saw him, gave a terrific performance. Michael Luwoye was out the second time I saw the show in SF.) Things happen.

I can't speak to the overall quality of the current Broadway cast. Munoz is still Hamilton when he's not out. Andrew Chappelle, who I saw as Mulligan/Madison, is back as the supersub. One advantage of seeing it on Broadway is the smaller size of the theatre. 

But people get desperate about this show. With so many touring productions, it's actually not that hard to get face-value tickets if you keep an eye on things. Don't panic. If you really want it to see it on Broadway, I am confident that you'll be able to see it for less than $400 a ticket.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 12:13pm

Thanks guys this was my instinct too.  This seems to happen a lot w a hit show once the original cast leave- they all start doing tracks.  ( Phantom Les Mis Wicked The Producers) I guess people want bragging rights to say they saw a hard to get  show.  No plans to go to Chicago ( heard good things about the production) so will just hang tuff and wait til it comes to TO. I'm a bit too old to stand in line and wait for cancellations  esp if I'm going to be underwhelmed.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 12:14pm

I've seen four different Alexander Hamiltons, Lin included, and Luwoye is the greatest of them all. He's beyond stunning in the role.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 12:27pm

sabrelady said: "Thanks guys this was my instinct too. This seems to happen a lot w a hit show once the original cast leave- they all start doing tracks. ( Phantom Les Mis Wicked The Producers) I guess people want bragging rights to say they saw a hard to get show. No plans to go to Chicago ( heard good things about the production) so will just hang tuff and wait til it comes to TO. I'm a bit too old to stand in line and wait for cancellations esp if I'm going to be underwhelmed."

Good choice. What do you think you will see instead?

[CollegeDreamer]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 1:08pm

I heard from a friend that when the H tour comes to Seattle, some tickets are $1,500!!! I would never pay that much to see a show, let alone on seat.

[coreman009]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 3:10pm

IMO there's still nothing like Broadway, I'd see Hamilton there.