***** It’s Back!!! Yes, “Hamilton” is back in Chicago. It seems as if it was a lifetime ago ( I am pretty sure it was 2017) that this Tony Award-winning musical was here. The tickets sold as fast as they were printed and the show stayed for a long time. Those who saw it were amazed by what Lin Manuel Miranda had created. Try to imagine learning history to the beat of music and “rap”. Based on the book Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, Miranda took the story or history to a level where people would be willing to learn more about the man and his times.
This is indeed a story of politics, and today, over 200 years later, it seems that we still have politicians taking shots at each other. Perhaps not in the way that Burr did with Hamilton back then, but they are still shots. The performance that we saw tonight at The James M. Nederlander Theatre was number 3 for us. Our first was in Chicago, at The CBIC on Monroe, the smallest of the three Broadway In Chicago “loop” venues. We then went to Milwaukee to see the production on a larger stage, and tonight, on an even larger stage. I can tell you that the larger stage makes a great deal of difference.
For those who have no knowledge of the story, it is indeed a history lesson narrated by Alexander Hamilton himself (Pierre Jean Gonzalez is terrific). The story gets into the details on of his involvement in the Revolutionary War and his relationship with George Washington (deftly handled by Marcus Choi). The play shows us his marriage, his career as a lawyer, and as Secretary of the Treasury and of course his political interactions with Thomas Jefferson (Jared Howelton, who also does a great Marquis de LaFayette), James Madison (Eddie Ortega, who also does Hercule Mulligan) and of course of most importance, Aaron Burr (played to perfection by Deon’te Goodman).
We learn of his infidelities, and his relationship with his wife, Elizabeth (Nikisha Williams) as well as the adoration he had for her sister Peggy (Jen Sese).
A major part of the story is the United States leaving behind King George ( Neil Haskell is a stitch when he does his songs), the forming of Congress, the battles, and of course, the duel between Alexander and Burr. There are some “facts” that we learn which I don’t recall ever hearing in a classroom, such as George Washington stepping down so that John Adams could take his place. What we do learn is all the good that Hamilton did for our country, and the systems that he created that made America grow. Maybe, we need another Hamilton!
Directed by Thomas Kail and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler this is a smashing production that should be on your “MUST SEE” list. Even if you saw it before, you should consider seeing it again. They did buttons when we entered. One said “This is my First Time” the other was “I’ve Seen Hamilton ____Times.” I am at three now and plan to see it once more before it leaves for other destinations.
“Hamilton” will continue Thru – Dec 30, 2023, with performances as follows:
Sundays 2:00pm on November 5th also at 7:30 p.m.
Show Type: Musical
Running Time: 2hrs, 45mins; one intermission
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Hamilton”.
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