Going into Hamilton Blind

[kelsey1389]

Hi- this is a super random ask and I'm sorry if the information is somewhere else on this website. But anyway, my entire family (my mom, dad and 16 year old brother) are going to see Hamilton in the spring. I'm the designated theatre fan of the family, so im already familiar with the cast recording. Should I have them listen to it before we go or do I send them in blind?

[Impossible2]

I went in totally blind apart from seeing a few youtube performances of the original cast on youtube years ago (which frankly turned me off it for years) and I understood everything fine and loved it.

[qolbinau]

I personally would try and go blind. Or only listen to snippets. Regrettably after seeing the show knowing every note and line, you realise there isn't actually that much else going on..and particularly when the cast is probably going to be underwhelming compared to the OBC (at least, mine was), it might make it even more of a let down. 

[haterobics]

Let them decide? There are good arguments either way.

Play them a snippet of one of the more lyrically dense songs and see how they do. Also keeping in mind that the more brainpower they dedicate to keeping up with the lyrics, they will potentially focus less on the choreography and what is going on dramatically.

Or accept that it is a one of a kind work that they can only experience for the first time once, and being overwhelmed by the energy, choreo, lighting, and songs is why so many people are so blown away by it.

Which do they think would be a better experience for them?

[HogansHero]

I would suggest they read the book rather than listen to the recording. 

[robskynyc]

its a tough call- I went in blind and LOVED it. and *mostly* understood everything. what I didn't get, I figured out later with the OBC. my boyfriend went in blind as well and hated it. he said he could barely understand them and wished he had listened to the OBC.

[LizzieCurry]

I saw it on Broadway after I'd heard some buzz about off-Broadway, but the cast recording hadn't come out yet, so I didn't know much about the show itself. It IS dense, and I wouldn't say don't listen to it first, but it may also help. You know your relatives best!

[Call_me_jorge]

Ive seen the show three times and the two times after the first did seem less extraordinary than the first. There was nothing wrong with the casts or didnt think the music or show was bad per say, but I started to get tired of it. They can listen to the cast recording, but just dont over do it or theyll get tired of it like I did. Id say the less they hear the better time theyll have at the show.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

At the very least, have them read the full Wikipedia synopsis if theyre not history buffs who know the specific details of the musical. The lyrics can be overwhelmingly dense.

Re: the songs, youre going to get differing opinions, but I think they should listen once all the way through. OR, make a highlights playlist of 5-10 songs to give them a feel for the show and introduce them to the major musical themes (i.e. Opening, My Shot, Schuyler, Helpless/Satisfied, Right Hand Man, Guns & Ships, Theodosia, One Last Time, Who Lives Who Dies). The staging and storytelling is still extraordinary enough that theyll be wowed even if they know some of the songs.

[Dkinny23]

I would definitely have them go in blind. I knew nothing about the show, have VERY little American history knowledge, and dont listen to hip hop at all - given all that I LOVED the show going in blind. It was fascinating to me how the story unraveled through that genre of song and how clever the lyrics were. Did I get every last word and detail of the story/songs? Absolutely not. But I got the gist and then listened to the songs after to hear the details and make me fall in love with the show even more a few weeks after seeing it and hearing the songs over and over again. Gotta say it was still great but not nearly as impressive seeing it a second time after knowing every word. The wow factor is really great and would highly suggest going into it blind!

[Patty3]

I would ask them. I saw the show before the OBC music was released. I spent a good part of my focus on following the lyrics. And as you know some parts are quite fast. I missed many of the nuances of the performances, choreography, and staging. I didnt enjoy the show as much the first time but enjoyed it more when I was familiar with the music.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Familiarity with the music and plot will also help them keep the characters straight, and not get confused by doubling (Peggy/Maria, Jefferson/Lafayette, Philip/Laurens, Mulligan/Madison)

[dmwnc1959]

This subject just came up in the Hamilton Tour thread and I posted a reply there in response to someone who saw the show last night, albeit it was the tour and not on Broadway, but the substance of the concern still holds true no matter where you’re seeing it.

[Niles Silvers]

I'm sure your family members have minds of their own, regardless of your status as a theatrical maven.

[dmwnc1959]

Niles Silvers said: "I'm sure your family members have minds of their own, regardless of your status as a theatrical maven."

No need for such a snide, sarcastic comment. The OP said he was a fan, not an expert. It’s probably why he came to this forum asking for advice, you know, like a lot of people do. I’m still a novice at all of this with only 30 shows under my belt, and I still ask opinions and insights. It’s good to get the “know” from those who have seen the show, especially one as unique in its sung-through format as “Hamilton”. 

[DottieD'Luscia]

I saw Hamilton for the first time a few months after it opened on Broadway. I intentionally went in more or less not being familiar with the music, and have to say, I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked. I was in the last row of the Rodgers and had a difficult time understanding the lyrics.  The only person who was out was Christopher Jackson.  Sydney James Harcourt was wonderful and I remember being particularly moved by his "rendition One Last Time".  I recommend to friends who are seeing it for the first time to at least listen to Act One to familiarize oneself with it.

My second viewing a few months later was much more enjoyable, and I had an excellent seat in the orchestra.  Christopher Jackson was out for that performance as well, and Austin Smith was on as George Washington.  

I have since seen the show in Chicago and DC, and will see the Broadway company again in February. I wanted to see Michael Luwoye as Hamilton.

[kmissa]

I'm always for going in blind. I loved it and had never heard the soundtrack. I never listened after the show either. After seeing a second time, I listened to the soundtrack nonstop. I noticed the 3rd time I def compared it to the soundtrack and was underwhelmed at times, but I overall enjoyed it.

[natashalost]

kmissa said: "I'm always for going in blind. I loved it and had never heard the soundtrack. I never listened after the show either. After seeing a second time, I listened to the soundtrack nonstop. I noticed the 3rd time I def compared it to the soundtrack and was underwhelmed at times, but I overall enjoyed it."

Completely agree. I always find that I enjoy shows more when I go in blind. 

[kelsey1389]

Niles Silvers said: "I'm sure your family members have minds of their own, regardless of your status as a theatrical maven."

That they certainly do, although none of them really have an opinion here, because they are looking to me for advice on this one, thus I came here. Right now I'm leaning towards sending them in blind, I think they'll be able to get the idea. My dad and my brother are history buffs so that certainly helps, I think?

[Pauly3]

If you're leaning at all towards giving your family members any sort of introduction, take a look at this piece from "CBS Sunday Morning".  It was produced before the Broadway production - and is interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wboCdgzLHg

 

[dmwnc1959]

At 90 minutes, the PBS special “Hamilton’s America” is a superb look at the creation of the musical and the history of America in the time of Alexander Hamilton. There are plenty of spoiler clips from the show, and commentary from everyone involved as well as major political figures. 

https://vimeo.com/188465428

[Becky]

When my aunt and uncle were going, I suggested they read the annotated lyrics online (didnt really need to listen) and both said they were glad they did. Not completely necessary, but they felt it added to their experience and understanding.

[OlBlueEyes]

HogansHero said: "I would suggest they read the book rather than listen to the recording."

Wise. The audio book, Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, might go down easier. It's a demanding read.

If you Google "Chernow Hamilton" you will find a four minute video of 69 year old Chernow rapping Hamilton during his 2017 commencement address at Lafayette College. He was a consultant to the musical.

[BWAY Baby2]

For people who went into Hamilton blind and really enjoyed it- that is great- but for me, I went in blind- and there was so much history happening- so quickly, that I got lost and did not understand chunks it- which was frustrating. I was not familiar with the Reynolds Affair- and was lost during that whole subplot. There is a lot happening in Hamilton- and it all goes by very quickly at times- so I would suggest anyone going in for the first time to at least be somewhat prepared by reading some history or at least a detailed synopsis.

[dmwnc1959]

^ ^ ^ To say there is a lot going on in the songs is the understatement of the century. Initially when I started listening to the OBCR it was overwhelming. When I read the lyrics online along with the songs I’d have to stop every so often to get a grasp as to what they were talking about.

For instance, in “Right Hand Man”, when the “...British take Brooklyn” and their “...battering down the Battery” it’s mentioned “...we’re abandonin’ Kips Bay”. I had to look that one up. Charles Lee and Battle of Monmouth? “Guns and Ships” is stunning in its densely packed lyrics almost impossible to understand unless you know already what he’s singing. “Yorktown”, a superb song, is the entire, decisive American Revolution battle crunched into 4 minutes. Who was Levi Weeks mentioned in “Non-stop”? In “What’d I Miss” when Jefferson quickly says “There’s a letter on my desk from the President, Haven’t even put my bags down yet, Sally be a lamb, darlin’, won’tcha open it?” Sally? In one very short line, of one song, Sally. If you’re not familiar with her, that’s a whole chapter and book of Jefferson’s life in itself. The French Revolution and the “King’s head in a basket”. The amount of detail omitted is staggering. Forty-six songs. But the musical is about Alexander Hamilton - his life, his affairs of state and heart, from birth to death. It’s complicated.

So I read the book. It’s very impressive to say the least. I finished it just days before seeing the musical. Yes, the book is a bit dry in places, like when Hamilton is setting up America’s financial institution. But the whole book is an incredible read.

It was also brought to my attention that on on Netflix there is an AMC Original Series called “Turn: Washington’s Spies” that deals with the same timeframe as parts of the musical. I watched it as well, and it is a wonderful series.

Having some knowledge of the history of America in the time of Alexander Hamilton before going into the show, whether it’s reading the book or listening to the OBCR, can definitely give someone a leg-up on those who go in “blind” as entire lives, battles, and years go by lyrically in the blink of an eye.