Posted: 7/24/15 at 10:20pm
Don't know what you people see, I was very disappointed. The only way I can sum it up is ' I went to the Theatre last night, but I didn't see a BROADWAY show. JMO
Posted: 7/24/15 at 10:23pm
Hmm..interesting
Posted: 7/24/15 at 10:29pm
Stevie, did you read everyone's praise for it and go in thinking it was going to change your life and be revolutionary? If you did, there is where the problem is. Sometimes hype gets so big that nothing could possibly live up to it, no matter how good a show is.
Or perhaps it just wasn't for you, and that's fine too.
Posted: 7/24/15 at 10:31pm
how DARE you
:)
Posted: 7/24/15 at 10:35pm
Pinto's right (for once), you're not allowed to not like Hamilton.
No, but in all seriousness it's refreshing to hear a different side of the story, so kudos to you for presenting a fresh thought.
Posted: 7/24/15 at 10:38pm
Steve, would you mind giving a detailed analysis on what you didn't like? Just curious to know your thoughts on the show.
Posted: 7/24/15 at 10:42pm
Question: do you need to know anything about American history to enjoy this show?
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:02pm
Do you happen to know anything about American history?
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:10pm
"Do you happen to know anything about American history?"
Well, I sure know whose picture is on the thirty dollar bill.
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:11pm
"Question: do you need to know anything about American history to enjoy this show?"
I went in knowing a bit of general American history of the era, but I didn't know much about Alexander Hamilton, his life story, or his contributions. I found his story fascinating and I love the way it's told. You don't have to have a huge interest in the historical aspect or prior knowledge - his personal story was interesting aside from the historical significance. Or at least it was to me.
I'd also be interested to know what Stevie didn't enjoy about it. Not that every show has to appeal to all, but wow. In 37+ years of seeing theater my bar is high, and very few shows jump out and grab me instantly anymore...and this one did. Completely rejuvenated my hope for original musicals.
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:14pm
"Don't know what you people see, I was very disappointed. The only way I can sum it up is ' I went to the Theatre last night, but I didn't see a BROADWAY show. JMO"
I'm pretty certain you saw a Broadway show.
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:14pm
I think if you know the basic structure of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence, you'll be fine.
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:15pm
I wish you had given me your ticket and that you had gone to see a BROADWAY show instead.
Also. I wish you weren't a troll.
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:17pm
Do you have to be a fan of the music of In the Heights to like Hamilton? I grew up on rap and hip-hop, but I couldn't really get into In the Heights (who hasn't nowadays?).
Updated On: 7/24/15 at 11:17 PM
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:20pm
qolbinau, No I don't think you really need to know much about American history to enjoy the show. While I think the show hits home for many Americans in a special way, I don't see why someone outside of the US would not be able to be touched by Hamilton's universal theme of Who tells your story.
Perhaps you might not understand all of the 'wink wink' moments in the show, but the show speaks on a universal level and I believe anyone from any country would enjoy what the show has to say.
Hopefully that made sense. I'm sure Hogan's Hero can explain it to you more eloquently than I can.
Updated On: 7/24/15 at 11:20 PM
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:23pm
Ah, stevie3's history here seems to mostly be cheerleading for Honeymoon in Vegas. It would be interesting to hear a thoughtful negative critique of Hamilton, but Stevie hasn't offered that. Yet. (He still could).
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:40pm
"qolbinau, No I don't think you really need to know much about American history to enjoy the show. While I think the show hits home for many Americans in a special way, I don't see why someone outside of the US would not be able to be touched by Hamilton's universal theme of Who tells your story.
Perhaps you might not understand all of the 'wink wink' moments in the show, but the show speaks on a universal level and I believe anyone from any country would enjoy what the show has to say.
Hopefully that made sense. I'm sure Hogan's Hero can explain it to you more eloquently than I can.
"
I 100% agree. I think it is helpful (buy not essential) to know the basic underpinnings of the revolution that (hopefully) any American would know but many non-Americans may not. (I say hopefully because I mean things like the fact that George Washington was the first president but apparently a sizeable group of Americans thinks it was Abe Lincoln so... I digress.) I don't even think it's necessary to know anything about Hamilton--many know very little. The main things you'll miss are things like the jokes about john Adams--you may need to know a little to get those but the show is still enjoyable without it.
I actually felt I learned a ton and it made me kind of embarrassed to realize how much I'd forgotten since high school. It rejuvenated my patriotism and awe in what the founders accomplished. I even am reading Chernow's book. That kind of thing may not be true for non-American viewers.
I take issue with the OP's comment that this is not a Broadway show. One of the great things about Hamilton (and many other shows we are seeing emerge) is it expands what a Broadway show is and brings new audiences to the theater. Surely not everyone has to like it and people can say they don't like the music or it wasn't for them or whatever opinion they're entitled to. But likewise not every Broadway show must have a score of traditional show tunes. I think the expanding variety of theater going on right now is truly exciting.
How lucky we are to be alive right now.
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:50pm
Do we really need a new thread just so OP can express that he did not see a Broadway show??!
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:51pm
Most Americans don't know much about Hamilton and that is partly what the show s about. The depth of knowledge that would be helpful (although much of that is provided as well) is in line with what anyone with a passing knowledge of western civilization would likely know. I would compare it to the amount of knowledge an American would likely have of (especially) French and British history from the same period. I assume most Australians know that we had a revolution as a result of which we separated from the British and set about constructing a country that eventually became the one that exists today based on much of the foundation that was built in the 1700s. I also assume most Australians that are likely to see it understand the basic background aspects of the Age of Enlightenment.
It is not surprising that there are some of us who don't like it (that's true of everything really) and, more particularly, that there are some of those who don't think it is a Broadway musical because it is not based on the very specific styles and subjects that are traditionally associated with that genre. After all, most people eschew Broadway musicals precisely because they are associated those characteristics. And what makes Hamilton work for such a broad cross section of people is that it is rooted in what musical theatre claims as its elemental core, but changes the way those elements are executed and the vehicles through which its subjects are addressed.As the ads say, it is the story of America then, told by America now. If you equate the Broadway musical with how it developed and was oriented in the mid 20th Century, then it is not going to meet your expectations. But to those of us who see that music, dance and culture as suitable for a museum rather than a popular art form, it's fantastic.
Posted: 7/25/15 at 12:10am
I thoroughly enjoyed Hamilton. I didn't think I was going to like the music but was pleasantly surprised. In addition to Lin's style coming through in certain songs, there was a good blend of song styles. In fact, I'm looking forward to seeing it again just to hear the music again.
It was a very smart musical in the sense of how it blended the old with the new. The intertwining of that time period with today's current events was also a plus. The acting was also superb...especially in the passion and energy department.
Job Well Done
Posted: 7/25/15 at 12:24am
what do you mean the 'wink wink' parts of the show?
Posted: 7/25/15 at 12:30am
PhillyPinto, have you not seen the show? You have been trashing it all over the board....I just assumed you saw it...
Posted: 7/25/15 at 12:53am
I haven't been trashing it, i just think all the hype is obnoxious. No i haven't seen it yet. whats the wink wink think you were talking about? Are you talking about musical theatre references in the show?
Posted: 7/25/15 at 12:54am
Pinto, there are little things in the show that are clever but that would go over the heads of (especially) non-Americans who would not be expected to know a lot of details. Just to give one example, the clever significance of Daveed Diggs doubling Jefferson and Lafayette would escape someone who was unaware of their long-lasting friendship. It is not important to the show for someone to get that, but it is a "wink wink moment" for anyone who does.
