Okay just got home from seeing it tonight. You would not think so but even after seeing it five times now, I feel like I have so much to unpack from tonight so I’m gonna apologize ahead of time for what’s likely to become a lengthy post.
Our lottery seats were located in Grand Tier, Center Row E, Seats 109 and 110. The first time I saw Hamilton was from the rear mezzanine of Richard Rodgers Theatre. While it was the beginning of my love of the show, it was far from an ideal seat. That’s why when I saw it in Chicago now three times I’ve made sure to have a seat towards the front of the orchestra. But I appreciated my Grand Tier seat. I was able to take in the whole production and caught subtle things I actually missed before although perhaps some of those things might be specific to this production. I do wish that I had remembered my binoculars. I am glad I have one more chance to see it Wednesday from Right Orchestra, Row F. My friend who went with me tonight had never seen it and she absolutely loved. It exceeded her expectations. Inexplicably, the people seated to her right did not return after intermission. Neither Act seemed to drag. Neither felt rushed either. Everything just flowed well.
Okay, I’m still trying to sort my thoughts about the performances and production. I was a little worried about familiarity leading to a lessened emotional impact for me as this was my fifth trip to Hamilton, including seeing it in Chicago just two months ago. In fact, with the possible exception of the first time I saw it in Chicago, this was the most emotional impact it has ever had on me. I full-on cried in places that I usually don’t, most especially It’s Quiet Uptown as it hit me that this is so close to what parents of victims of gun violence go through in El Paso and Dayton and Chicago and all over this country every day. I was able to tell Nakisha Williams (understudy for Eliza) this at stage door and she agreed and said it was an honor to bring that moment to life on stage.
Okay...now the performances themselves. Our other replacements for this performance were Tommar Wilson (Standby for Washington), Kyle Weiler (Universal Swing for George Eaker), and Phil Colgan (Swing for Samuel Seabury) as well as Lili Froehlich and Taeko McCarroll (Swings). I loved Warren Egypt Franklin as Layfette, but especially as Jefferson. I was able to tell him I had seen Daveed and that there was definitely not any shade growing on him and he seemed to really like that. I also loved Neil Haskell as King George The last two actors I’ve seen play King George in Chicago have hammed it up a little bit much to my liking particularly the last one I saw that made him unnecessarily a bit too effeminate. Not the case here. He nailed the humor, but didn’t pander. Joseph Morales (Hamilton) and Nik Walker (Burr) has new takes on their characters. It threw me at first especially in the case of Morales, but I ended up appreciating their performances. Walker’s Burr had more of an undercurrent of fear that I hadn’t experienced before and I feel like it worked. Morales was not as energetic especially during the first of Act 1 as my previous Hamiltons (LMM, Cervantes), but his quieter moments were lovely and I felt like his performance was more of a slow burn. Nakisha Williams was devastating as Eliza. I do hope however that the regular Eliza (Oklahoma native Erin Clemons) is on Wednesday night so I can experience her take on it. Tommar is younger and less imposing physically than my previous Washingtons, but I admired his performance.
It was thrilling for me to experience this production in my home state which doesn’t always have the best track record on how it treats minorities and liberal ideals. I was especially proud that the line “Immigrants We Get The Job Done” got a rousing round of applause and hoots and hollers. The crowd was with the cast every inch of the way.
For those that care about these things, stage door was easy. My friend and I were the first ones at the barricades. By the way, this is the first touring production I’ve been to where they had barricades. I didn’t count but there were not a huge number of people at stage door although the barricade was full. Very manageable. Twelve people from the cast came out and signed. All were lovely.
Okay. That’s it folks. I’m exhausted. Goodnight.
Update: merchandise report - I showed relative restraint (partially because I know I’m returning Wednesday night). I only bought the socks. I do still have my eye on the snow globe (I collect them) and the coasters. I also thought about buying the Chernow book and asking the cast to sign it at stage door Wednesday night although there’s a 95% chance I’ll never get around to reading it. How much I buy Wednesday night will partially depend on whether my friend that is going with me finally reimburses me for her $211 ticket.
Updated On: 8/12/19 at 01:37 AM
