Hamilton San Francisco- Page 3

[notalwaysontime]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 1:44pm

as far as I am aware, people were only being let back inside to grab their things. (people left purses and other things on the floor in their effort to get out). I don’t think they finished the show and honestly, I can’t see how anyone could have sat back down and watched like it was normal after that, and also, just given how scary it was, I wouldn’t have wanted the cast to have to get back up there like they were unphased. A lot of the cast commented on social media about it and they were clearly shaken too because there were several comments saying to hug your loved ones.

[LuPita2]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 3:57pm

And I also know that this makes a huge statement on us as a society that even in the safest of places, we’ve been trained to keep our guards up

Unfortunately, a theater where security is minimal is not the safest of places, not even close.  Glad you're okay.  

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 10:18pm

"Unfortunately, a theater where security is minimal is not the safest of places, not even close.  Glad you're okay. "

I take issues with this. There IS extensive security outside and in, including package inspection at the entrance.

By all reports, the audience panic spread so quickly that the house management likely had no time to react. (Especially since they were likely focused upon aiding the patron with the medical need at the time - which being near the front of the audience would also have been far from a mic, even if they had known exactly what was up)

Realize also, that after the patrons are seated, most ushers leave. There were likely about 10 front of house staff on duty for 2200 patrons.

Could they have handled things better, even given the confusion of the moment - perhaps. I'm certain that management will learn from this and come up with additional procedures should something similar recur.

I was happy to see that they're contacting last night's ticketholders to arrange for replacement tickets.

Updated On: 2/16/19 at 10:18 PM

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 1:43am

antonijan said: "Can the person shouting "gun" get prosecuted? "

The same thing crossed my mind. Unless you actually saw a weapon, yelling out such a thing is the height of irresponsibility. I know that things happen and people become excitable in such situations, but to yell such a thing without any evidence is crazy.

 

[notalwaysontime]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 8:16am

So, I got an email about Friday night's show. There was a quick vague description about the incident (they are steering clear of mentioning what people thought was happening), and then followed up with an invite to attend another performance, of my choosing any day from now until Sept 8th (the current date they're selling tickets til).

I knew they were planning on doing this from their previous statement, but a) I wasn't sure as a $10 Lotto winner, I would be included. b) I assumed it would be for a small range of dates/specifically picked out dates available. I was really surprised to see how wide open they left it. The email just asks me to end them a couple pieces of info that will verify my y ticket, and then a couple of date options in order of preference. There is a time limit though, I have to get back to them before next monday (no problem there). All in all, I have to say this is a pretty classy way for them to handle this, considering it really wasn't their fault, their focus was on literally trying to save someone's life, and honestly who could have seen that kind of reaction coming? And also the fact that the show was literally 3 minutes from ending when it happened, so though we missed the very end, we saw basically the entire show. I can't hate the chance to see it yet again for free, I mean, wow.

Thinking of picking a date a couple months out because I really want to see how Julius grows into the role of Hamilton. I really really liked what I saw from him Friday night, there was so much to love about his performance. The one thing that was lacking to me was a fluid character growth. There was definitely a difference in Act 1 and Act 2, but I didn't feel we actually saw the change happen throughout the show. Act 1 he had great eager/scrappy energy and Act 2 he had that fire you'd expect, I just didn't feel we actually got to see the transition and growth, it just happened. But I know this was only his 4th performance, so given that? I feel like the role is in good hands and he'll only get better, because he started off really strongly. And as a side note, I loved how he nailed every little moment of Alexander's humorous beats. Like the Eliza's gonna marry me dance and his little quick one word or one line quips, and his dynamic with Ruben during phillip's rap.

Also, I can't be mad that I get to see Donald Webber again, because WOW, his Burr was FANTASTIC. I knew people liked him, but I really didn't know much about his performance, and he was amazing.

[Micki7]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 10:29pm

Well I guess my nerves have recovered enough to post some impressions of the performance. I am actually sitting in the balcony waiting for Hello Dolly to start as I write this. Busy week, tomorrow is Disney on Ice.

I saw the show once before last time Hamilton was in San Francisco. This time it seemed to start a little more low key, with the orchestra dominating the singers. I expected a greater sense of excitement, “not to say there wasn’t a buzz in the crowd. We did our part!

I loved Hamilton, who owned his part and seemed like the real article not just an actor. Burr and King George were professional, and Burr was exceptional in dear Theodosius. I actually thought they’d slipped in somebody new. Lafayette seemed a little off but Jefferson was fantastic, larger than life. He reminded me of Christian Borle for some reason. The Schuyler sisters were all very listenable.

One thing I noticed that I didn’t last time was all the choreography. Form fitting costumes and precision movements among the “unnamed” cast members, a good combination.

All in all, not perfect but indeed excellent.

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 12:30am

MarkBearSF said: ""Unfortunately, a theater where security is minimal is not the safest of places, not even close. Glad you're okay. "

I take issues with this. There IS extensive security outside and in, including package inspection at the entrance.

By all reports, the audience panic spread so quickly that the house management likely had no time to react. (Especially since they were likely focused upon aiding the patron with the medical need at the time - which being near the front of the audience would also have been far from a mic, even if they had known exactly what was up)

Realize also, that after the patrons are seated, most ushers leave. There were likely about 10 front of house staff on duty for 2200 patrons.

Could they have handled things better, even given the confusion of the moment - perhaps. I'm certain that management will learn from this and come up with additional procedures should something similar recur.

I was happy to see that they're contacting last night's ticketholders to arrange for replacement tickets."

Exactly.  There is no reason to think there was any issue with security in this situation.  Because there was no "gun."  Just some irresponsible person yelling the word out without having any evidence.  No level of security, no matter how efficient and successful, will stop a person from doing this once the lights have gone down.  It's akin to yelling the proverbial "fire" in a crowded building.  It has nothing to do with security, or lack thereof.  It has to do with an overwrought person making a bad decision in the midst of a challenging moment. It's a shame this happened, and hopefully those who experienced the medical emergency are okay and that those who got caught up in the fray due to an irresponsible decision by one are fine as well.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 12:40am

Micki7 said: "I am actually sitting in the balcony waiting for Hello Dolly to start as I write this..."

Hope you enjoyed Dolly. (And I have no idea what the "technical difficulty" that held the second act curtain by an additional 20 minutes). This was my first time seeing the show here (saw Bette in NY) It was great seeing the audience so happy throughout the show. Betty was her own Dolly and kept the audience in the palm of her hand, but I was especially wowed by Louis J Stadlen as Horace and Jess LeProtto as Barnaby.
...and now back to the Hamilton thread.
 

Updated On: 2/21/19 at 12:40 AM

[bear88]

Posted: 3/3/19 at 8:19pm

I saw Hamilton for the 4th time Saturday night. It's hard to avoid comparing performances, even if that can sometimes be unfair. But I also hadn't seen it, or played the cast recording, in a while - so there were some things about the show that hit me again.

Julius Thomas III is an engaging, likeable Alexander Hamilton in the first act, though I liked his performance as the more confident Hamilton in the second act (he's especially good in the rap battles, and from "It's Quiet Uptown" through the end of the show). I can only see him getting better in the role, and he brings the right amount of charisma to it.

Donald Webber Jr. had tough acts to follow for me, as my previous Burrs were Leslie Odom Jr. and Joshua Henry. He's almost too subtle at times, his singing not quite as powerful. But Webber acts the part well, and he absolutely nails the pre- and post-Hamilton duel songs, reminding me of how powerful they can be.

Sabrina Sloan doesn't have the vocal strength I've seen in past Angelicas, but again, she makes up for it by acting the role very well. 

Julia K. Harriman was out, so Rebecca Covington played Eliza - and she was terrific. Covington has a strong soprano voice, and was able to handle everything from the giddiness of "Helpless" to the anger of "Burn" with ease. 

Isaiah Johnson, who I've seen as George Washington a couple of times before, brings his usual command and strong voice. I expected him to be good, and he was.

Simon Longnight makes an unusual Lafayette/Jefferson, in large part because his higher voice is so quirky. He's OK as Lafayette, has the usual post-Daveed Diggs problems with "Guns and Ships." As Jefferson, he really hams it up, even waving his arms to the audience to get a response. While I've been less thrilled with hammier approaches to Jefferson's character in the past, in part because it has undermined his sharp intelligence and rivalry with Hamilton, somehow Longnight makes it work. While I have resigned myself to not really seeing a post-Diggs Lafayette/Hamilton that completely satisfies me, Longnight was fun as Jefferson.

Darilyn Castillo is a good Peggy and an appropriately seductive Maria Reynolds. While she didn't quite reach Jasmine Cephas Jones-level vocals, Castillo was close enough.

Trey Curtis was in for Ruben Carbajal as Laurens/Philip, and he was another understudy who did a fine job. A big guy, Curtis was a bit uncomfortable as 9-year-old Philip, but that was more endearing than awkward - and drew laughter from the audience. He was quite good otherwise.

Rick Negron is a straightforward King George. He doesn't get in the way of the humor in his songs, but he also doesn't add much to them.

Brandon Louis Armstrong does a good job as Mulligan/Madison, adding nice comedic touches and interacting amusingly with Longnight's Jefferson.

A couple of thoughts: I was honestly surprised by how hard the end of this familiar show hit me. Thomas and Webber were at their best, I thought, from "It's Quiet Uptown" onward, and Covington was wonderful in the final song, including her last moment.

There's so much to appreciate, including Miranda's impressive wordplay and the wonderful score. The last two musicals I've seen are Hello, Dolly and Hamilton - and both are blessed with terrific, albeit very different, scores. 

I also thought about the criticism of Hamilton as being over-directed. My seats were close enough to get a good look at the often-busy stage movement. But I never really feel like the ensemble, the choreography or the lighting detracts from the show. It's an added attraction, a little visual joke, or - as in "Satisfied" or the final duel - a fantastic work of creativity. 

Updated On: 3/20/19 at 08:19 PM

[NatalieA]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 12:17pm

Saw Deaundre' Woods on for Hamilton yesterday matinee, was suitably impressed especially given that he made his debut only a few weeks ago. Donald Webber Jr. was a more... tragic? soulful? Burr, and I liked it. There were a bunch of other switches and such, being a Sunday matinee, but it worked. So many excited kids and families, plus the elderly matinee staples who I love hearing discuss the show on BART. My favorite: “he liked women, didn’t he?”

[Stellasteve]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 1:38pm

I finally went last night and had a great evening.  The flu that has hit my daughter's school apparently is taking its toll on the cast as well because there were four standbys/understudies:

Deaundre' Woods as Hamilton

Darnell Abraham as Washington

Trey Curtis as Mulligan/Madison

Kelsey Kramer in the Ensemble

Donald Webber Jr. was the standout to me as he just commanded the stage throughout the show.  He brought an arrogance to Burr that I don't recall LOJ having (but I also was sitting in 3rd row Orchestra last night).  There was an amazing moment in "Wait for It" right at the end were he reached out his hand and let a moment of vulnerability and self-doubt flash on his face before finishing the song with the self-confidence returning.

Sabrina Sloan acted well and had a pretty voice, but I agree with Bear88 that her voice lacks power.  During both "Schuyler Sisters" and "Satisfied" there were moments her voice couldn't cut through the chorus around her.  Even near the end of "Schuyler" when the three sisters sing together, you couldn't hear them over the ensemble.  That might be more of a sound mix issue, though.

My next visit will be in July, so I look forward to seeing how the cast has progressed by then.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 2:17pm

@Stellasteve, how was Darnell Abraham as Washington? I saw him in the recent The Color Purple tour.

[Stellasteve]

Posted: 3/21/19 at 12:39am

DottieD'Luscia said: "@Stellasteve, how was Darnell Abraham as Washington? I saw him in the recentThe Color Purpletour."

He was great!  Powerful, commanding voice perfectly suited to our first General/President, and he carried himself well . . . the adult in the room.  When we saw The Color Purple at the Orpheum last May, my friend and I had a hard time understanding the dialog and lyrics.  The issue must have been related to that production's sound because Darnell enunciated perfectly last night.  I never had a problem understanding his dialog or singing.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 3/21/19 at 12:51am

Glad to hear it. (We see the show on Sunday) I'm not surprised at the difference.

One of the strengths of the amazing score is how well the words sit on the notes and the rhymes. In spite of the WPM rapidfire at times, Hamilton's lyrics remain comprehensible.

The Hamilton production is a sit-down which has been tuned to the Orpheum - which is the a notoriously hard house to engineer sound for. The Color Purple tour was no doubt designed flexibility on the road and didn't have the time or resources as Hamilton.
I didn't have a particularly difficult time at TCP, but again, the differences an be major, depending upon where you're sitting.

Updated On: 3/21/19 at 12:51 AM

[Stellasteve]

Posted: 3/21/19 at 1:35am

In all my years of going to shows at the Orpheum, TCP is the only one to have causd me problems. But we were in a surprisingly empty Mezzanine on a Saturday night so that might have played into the equation. Plus, Im getting older

Two other thins I forgot to mention: 1) there is a nice T-shirt that combines the Hamilton emblem with the Golden Gate Bridge on the front and which also says Hamilton San Francisco on the back for those interested in localized show merch.

2) BCEFA swag: pen for $10, backpack for $20, cast-signed poster for $100.

[Stellasteve]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 10:52pm

SHN announced a new block of tickets going on sale tomorrow, now through January 5, 2020. I also noticed all shows in 2020 are still being booked at the Golden Gate, leaving the possibility open for this to extend beyond the March 2020 LA opening. It will be very interesting to see if the West Coast ends up hosting two simultaneous sit downs of the same show in addition to Harry Potter.

[notalwaysontime]

Posted: 5/3/19 at 2:17am

Definitely not impossible. It happened with wicked around 2009/2010

[Stellasteve]

Posted: 5/3/19 at 8:43pm

notalwaysontime said: "Definitely not impossible. It happened with wicked around 2009/2010 "

Except LA closed first and transferred to SF, just as Phantom and Les Mis did.

http://www.playbill.com/article/wicked-ends-lengthy-los-angeles-run-jan-11-com-156803

I don’t think there’s a precedent of simultaneous West Coast sit downs (if this were to happen).

[Kitsune]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 12:37pm

We're going to tonight's show.

Does anyone have experience with the stage door for the current iteration of Hamilton in San Francisco?

[bear88]

Posted: 5/25/19 at 5:24am

Darnell Abraham was Burr on Friday night and did a fine job. He seemed to take a little while to settle in, or maybe I was the one making the adjustment, but then he did everything an actor playing Burr needs to do, which is to cover the narrating duties, hit his big songs, and nail the final duel. 

Otherwise, I saw the main "Peggy" cast, including the actors who were out in March. Special credit goes to Ruben Carbajal, who I've seen a couple of times now as Laurens/Philip on San Francisco tour stops. He's terrific in the role.

As someone lucky enough to see the show five times, it was fun to chat with a couple behind me who knew the cast recording well but were seeing it for the first time. They were marveling during intermission at the ensemble and the choreography. It can be easy for repeat attendees to take that for granted, but I noticed a few things for the first time myself - just subtle touches that add to the overall impact.

Unless I win the lottery, I probably won't be seeing the show again for a while. But Hamilton really is a marvelous achievement.  

[DAME]

Posted: 5/25/19 at 12:28pm

How is Rick Negron's King?

[bear88]

Posted: 5/25/19 at 12:54pm

I enjoyed Negron a lot. He seemed more comfortable now than when I saw the show in March. King George doesn't need to be overplayed to be funny, and Negron added some nice touches that I didn't remember the first time.

[(Insert Clever Name)]

Posted: 5/25/19 at 8:06pm

Last seats in the front orch are $50 on weekdays and $75 on weekends, do these have good views? It’s it too partial view?

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 5/25/19 at 8:23pm

hi insert clever name
last row in orch at orpheum are still very good seats especially center section because thats where the sound mixing is
and also you get the full effect of all the actors on both levels of the stage

amazing cast and hamilton is the best musical ever

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 5/27/19 at 12:15am

Fast approaching Wednesday 5/29 evening performance.  Attending with my group of 120 theatre-goers this time 'round.  There were 60 in attendance during the previous engagement.  We'll be center balcony.  Last minute drama has ensued with several patron's seating requirements and I'll be working with SHN group sales to rectify the situation.