Posted: 5/25/15 at 3:51pm
Does anyone else wonder if the insane hype surrounding Hamilton will endure through next June? Do we think it will win the Tony next year or will the buzz die down?
Posted: 5/25/15 at 3:55pm
It will probably be one of the most unexciting Tony seasons since Book of Mormon.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 4:05pm
Everyone says that now. Wait until Spring next year. HAMILTON will be old news. That doesn't discredit it's greatness, but the excitement factor will be gone one year from today. who knows what's in store for next Spring...
Posted: 5/25/15 at 4:15pm
I think it'll probably win the Tony but I don't think it will maintain it's buzz for a whole year. It'll already be on TKTS by the time the Tony's come around. It's not going to be a hot ticket for a whole year.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 4:20pm
What else is coming out that could give it a run for its money?
Anything?
Allegiance, perhaps?
Posted: 5/25/15 at 4:43pm
I think American Psycho might be one to watch. Duncan Sheik is beloved in the community too.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 4:47pm
"Perhaps Shuffle Along? "
That's one I definitely want to see.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 4:49pm
"Duncan Sheik is beloved in the community too."
Do you know how many abortive attempts at new musicals he's had since Spring Awakening?
Hamilton is going to steamroll everything else coming up. And it deserves to.
Updated On: 5/25/15 at 04:49 PM
Posted: 5/25/15 at 4:50pm
Keep in mind that A Chorus Line opened on July 25, 1975 after a record-breaking run at the Public. It was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, and won 9 in April, 1976. And of course, the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. So I would not count Hamilton out as it could very well follow this same trajectory!
Updated On: 5/25/15 at 04:50 PM
Posted: 5/25/15 at 4:51pm
I very well could be wrong, and some marvelous (or not so marvelous) show will come along and steal HAMILTON's thunder in March or April 2016, but I think it's a done deal. I don't think HAMILTON is "game changing" or "revolutionary" in its content, but that doesn't mean that it's really, really excellent and really, really entertaining and often very moving, too. What's revolutionary (and moving) about HAMILTON, for me, is its casting-- It's the story of the first of the United States' most important immigrants told by immigrants of this generation. By telling the story of how we started, it predicts the future with its beautifully diverse cast, whether Republicans like it or not.
Anyway, I think when Lin and Co. decide which way to end the first act (which ended about three times when I saw it) and trim about fifteen minutes or so, it'll get even better reviews than it did at The Public. And deservedly so. I don't normally jump on the "show du jour" bandwagons, but this time I will, and happily.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 4:57pm
Though it wasn't a transfer from the Public, Hairspray is another summer show that got huge buzz before and after it opened and maintained that all the way to the Tonys.
I haven't seen Hamilton yet, but given the massive buzz the show got off-Broadway and the huge advance sales it's already been generating, it would take a mammoth new show to top this one in terms of excitement and likely awards.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:07pm
@Kad-Didn't see anything out of him since SA. Looking forward to this.
I am also looking forward to Allegiance and Shuffle Along. I think unfortunately next season will be like 2011 with Book of Mormon and Hamilton will pretty much sweep (to me, it's not even worth watching when something is so sure to sweep.). I am not in the love it camp. It's fine but I think overhyped. I do think George Takei may have a shot at best actor if Allegiance can find an audience. (Lin Manuel Miranda was probably the core of the issue for me-I am not a fan of his acting. He should stick to writing (maybe the writing would be more even if he didn't have to devote time to the acting aspect, too). To me, Leslie Odom, Jr. was the very best part. I hope they put him in featured actor so he might win.)
Updated On: 5/25/15 at 05:07 PM
Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:07pm
I agree with Kad. I believe Hamilton will continue on its unstoppable trajectory and win the Tony next year for best musical and a whole bunch of others. Unless, of course, Frank Wildhorn has something ready to go. Then, all bets are off!
Updated On: 5/25/15 at 05:07 PM
Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:16pm
I don't think Duncan Sheik wrote February House.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:18pm
Unlike A Chorus Line or Hairspray, I don't think Hamilton will end up being a tourist favorite.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:20pm
You're right. For some reason I thought he did.
Regardless, I am excited to see what American Psycho is like. (And Allegiance and Shuffle Along).
Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:26pm
Seeing what is on tap for this year, I see why Miranda waited to open it this summer to qualify for the coming season. A lot of good competition this season might pose a problem. Next years sounds like dreck.
Hamilton has it in the bag unless something comes out of the blue to knock everyone's socks off.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:31pm
We'll see, Mr. Roxy. I hope something comes in and surprises us. (Also, School of Rock is coming, but I'm not sure that's so great. It's ALW after all.)
I think Hamilton waiting is a strange move. But, that was their choice. I do think the acting awards MAY be competitive next year. I think Hamilton will take book, score, director, choreography and musical most likely. But, I think, as I said, that leading actor and even leading actress could go elsewhere. I think it'll break the record for nods, however.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:34pm
I think HAMILTON is hands down the favorite show to sweep everything in 2016. It's just white hot. HOWEVER- In the theatre only a fool is sure. They have a challenge ahead of them. They need to maintain hype while also seeming humble. Remember MATILDA? It to came in white hot. The revolutionary show with rave reviews, a huge advance, and the thing that crush anything around it… yet come Tony Time KINKY BOOTS took the gold. Something NO ONE would have predicted the summer before.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:44pm
You make a good point, but I think there were extenuating circumstances that led to Matilda's taking a back seat to Kinky. At least, that's what reportedly happened, that the producers of Matilda had something of an attitude and alienated certain people. I don't know Lin-Manuel personally, but I get the feeling he's pretty much a regular guy and well liked in the community.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:47pm
I am not sure Hamilton will be a tourist favorite or a national tour favorite - although I think it will do well . . . next season is still so unknown. Somme good shows may be staying clear of next season to avoid Hamilton, so shows shows may get fast tracked to this season . . . we shall see.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 5:59pm
You know, people also said that A CHORUS LINE wouldn't do well outside of New York.
I can't see HAMILTON not being popular-- It's contemporary. It'll do great with school groups. For those of you predicting that tourists won't go and it won't do well on tour, give me one good reason why.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 6:06pm
Also, at the risk of sounding like a didactic schoolmarm, I wanted to add that contrary to the OP's assertion, Hamilton has not been surrounded by "insane hype." Hype has the meaning of deceptive publicity, a promotional ploy. In brief, puffery. That has not been the case with Hamilton. The show has benefited from extremely positive word of mouth from audiences who have loved it at the Public and told all their friends to see it. Not puffery at all, but you could call it buzz. True enthusiasm!
Updated On: 5/25/15 at 06:06 PM
Posted: 5/25/15 at 6:25pm
"I think Hamilton waiting is a strange move. But, that was their choice."
There was no way The Public was going to have Hamilton compete with Fun Home this season. They were better off to space it out so they can have one of their shows sweep in 2015 and the other in 2016.
