SharksVsJets said: "Excuse me if this question has been answered elsewhere.
I'm seeing Hamilton (on tour) for the first time on Sunday. If I don't do any homework in advance will I be lost? Should I listen to the cast recording? Read a synopsis? I generally like to go into a show as unspoiled as possible, but I don't want to be totally out to lunch.
Thanks in advance."
The question has been asked and answered many times (albeit not that recently I don't think) but there is no consensus as to the correct answer. If you like to go in unspoiled, that's what I would do. If you are totally unfamiliar with 18th Century American history, I would recommend reading a basic summary of it with special emphasis on Alexander Hamilton. (Wikipedia should do.) Otherwise, I would not worry about a synopsis or the recording. The lyrics have a huge number of words that come at you very fast. You will not get all of them on first hear, but you will not have trouble following the narrative as long as you know, for instance, who Washington and Jefferson are, and are aware that there was a revolutionary war and who we fought against for our independence
If you like the show, you can always listen to the cast album after. Or watch the filmed version if you want. When I saw it the first time, there was no synopsis, there was no cast recording, and there was no filmed version. And I managed. Enjoy!