Hamilton in Chicago - Page 12

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 1/10/17 at 11:54am

Everyone is aware of it. Vitriol.

[MyLife]

Posted: 1/10/17 at 11:58am

Have tickets for the end up April. I wonder who Burr will be then.

Maybe Daniel Breaker for those who heard rumors. I'll still hope for Cynthia Erivo.

[superyan]

Posted: 1/10/17 at 1:28pm

Can someone please explain to me (in a PM if you have to) what all the vitriol is about?

[Nycat63]

Posted: 1/10/17 at 3:34pm

superyan said: "Can someone please explain to me (in a PM if you have to) what all the vitriol is about?

 

"It was apparently directed at my comment that I was disappointed I wouldn't catch Joshua Henry because my tickets are for late March.  Given the golden opportunity I gave people to bash my intentionally ridiculous "tears instead of lemons" remark (yes I knew it was melodramatic when I typed it - it was somewhat tongue in cheek) I was a bit surprised lizziecurry opted to point out that even if I had tickets for earlier (while Joshua was still part of the cast) he could have called out sick, etc. the day I was there.  It was unnecessarily snarky and condescending.   I think most people on these boards have some knowledge of how theater works.  Obviously an actor can call out sick, be on vacation, whatever.  I go to a lot of shows a year and it happens.  I don't get angry or have expectations that they are superhuman or owe me anything.  However, we all have a right to be disappointed or sad to miss the opportunity to see them perform.  It doesnt mean we are ignorant or demanding, frankly I just love musical theater and appreciate those who are particularly talented and do my best to see them.  Anyway, I'm still hoping Wayne Brady will surprise us all.  You never know.  

 

 

 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 1/10/17 at 3:37pm

Especially in this thread, which was surprisingly intelligent as far as this board goes. It was completely out of line. It's unreasonable to ask people not to be disappointed to be missing Joshua Henry.

[PerfidiousRaoul]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 1:19am

I saw the show tonight, overall I found it to be a much more enjoyable experience than with the OBC.

Standouts were Burr, Angelica, Eliza, King George and Jefferson. I preferred all listed to their original counterparts. 

Also, I overheard an usher talking to an audience member about Wayne Brady and I heard that he will only be in for 3 months (but to me that seems unusually short so I'm second guessing myself haha).

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 8:04am

Brady was announced to be performing Burr from January 17 to April 9.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 8:07am

Was anyone there when this happened? http://www.playbill.com/article/man-who-disrupted-chicago-hamilton-gets-banned-from-theatre

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 8:10am

Wayne Brady on his casting - noting the show doesn't need "stunt casting" and explaining why he wanted to perform Burr. And he even answers being compared to Joshua Henry. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-wayne-brady-hamilton-jones-ott-0113-20170110-column.html.

"Of course, Brady has to follow the magnificent (yet much less famous) Joshua Henry in the role in Chicago. Taking over from the acclaimed is another thing stars generally avoid. Not this man. Not for this show.

"Don't you write stories in the same newspaper as writers who have won a Pulitzer?" Brady said.

Touche.

"I think Joshua Henry was incredible in the role. I do what I do too."

 

[ImAGeneralWEE]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 9:02am

I picked up a last minute ticket last night to see Josh Henry once more before he goes.  He is just something else.  I can finally say I think he's even better than LOJ in the role (and I LOVED LOJ).

Miguel keeps getting better.  I was really impressed with him last night.  And the women are just so consistently good. The whole cast makes me happy. (I prefer Chris Jackson on the whole, but is it sacrilege to admit I prefer Jonathan Kirkland's booming version of One Last Time? Because I kind of do.)

I have tickets near the end of Wayne Brady's run and I wish I could be more excited... maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised?

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 9:51am

uh oh. Brady says he's wanted to play Burr "badly".  I hope that's just a syntax/word choice error or the director corrects him!.

[Nycat63]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 10:30am

So plenty of us have expressed disappointment over Joshua Henry leaving the Chicago cast and the casting of Wayne Brady.  I certainly fall into the first category (very sad I won't catch Henry).  Many have posted that Brady is the "wrong" choice but I'd be interested in hearing others' takes on why they believe he can't pull it off (just because he has huge shoes to fill doesn't necessarily make him incapable).  I'm not asking to invite mean comments about him or anyone on this thread, I'm genuinely curious as someone who appreciates theater but does not proclaim to know everything.  So far the only thing I've read as an argument against his casting is that a well-known tv "celebrity" may take us out of the performance too much - which I completely get - but the hope is that he will be able to disappear into the character.  That said, I've been "taken out of the performance" on occasion seeing well-known Broadway actors.  Falsettos and Hedwig are 2 examples.  Adored both but at the end of the day I was very much aware that I was watching Andrew Rannells and Christian Borle as Whizzer and Marvin and NPH as Hedwig.  I don't think they fully disappeared for me  - and that's not a knock on their performances in any way, nor did it diminish my enjoyment.   It just is what it is because they are well known.  Maybe that's just me, but I'm curious to hear others' thoughts because I'm still hoping Brady will still give a great performance even if he's not Joshua Henry.  But several of you likely know more than I do and I'm anxious to hear your thoughts.  

[superyan]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 11:31am

ggersten said: "Brady was announced to be performing Burr from January 17 to April 9.

 

"

Can you show me that announcement?  I want to pass it on to a friend.

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 11:45am

superyan said: "ggersten said: "Brady was announced to be performing Burr from January 17 to April 9. "

Can you show me that announcement?  I want to pass it on to a friend."

BWW Article on Announcement

 

[Ahmy]

Posted: 1/12/17 at 1:14pm

ggersten said: "uh oh. Brady says he's wanted to play Burr "badly".  I hope that's just a syntax/word choice error or the director corrects him!.

 

"

Another use for badly/bad is to express  the degree to which a person feels something. In this case I think it's just him saying he really wanted to do it.

[Montie329]

Posted: 1/16/17 at 2:00pm

My teenage son and I flew up to Chicago from Florida to see the show December 10 (I used to live there) and we totally agree with you - we loved the cast!  Joshua Henry was unbelievable and Miguel has a wonderful singing voice.  So glad we got to see Joshua before he announced his departure. 

Not surprised LMM snagged Joshua for the tour.  Here is a quote from LMM about Joshua that recently appeared in EW:

EW: When was the last time you listened to Bring It On: The Musical?

LMM: "Oh, fairly recently! It was after seeing [Joshua] Henry’s incandescent performance in Chicago. He is giving a Burr performance for the ages right now in Chicago, and I loved it so, so much that I went and listened to his vocals on “Cross the Line.” He wasn’t in Bring It On: The Musical but it’s his vocals on the last song that Jackson sings. I went back and listened to that tune because I was just in such a Josh Henry state of mind."

 

[Nycat63]

Posted: 1/16/17 at 3:11pm

Well the theater gods smiled on me and I found a single TM resale ticket for JH's last show yesterday (having not seen him before and with tickets during Wayne Brady's run).  It was just about face value and I snagged it probably in the nick of time, hopped on a train and went by myself just to not miss out.  If you saw a limping (post-op - technically too soon to have done this!) woman looking happy as can be despite the pain, that was me!  I was so grateful to have been there.  I was also happy to see Miguel in the show rather than the Sunday alternate, just bc I saw him in NY right after Lin left and it was fantastic to see his growth (nothing against alternates).  This far exceeded my Broadway experience even though part of the OBC was still in at the time.  I also liked some of the different touches and choices the actors made to play to their own strengths rather than simply mimicking their OBC counterparts.  JH was pure magic and deserves all the praise he has received and then some.  Now I'm actually looking forward to seeing what Wayne Brady does in the role because at least I can say I've seen Joshua. Again, just grateful.  

[nightnic001]

Posted: 1/17/17 at 11:47pm

Just saw Wayne's first performance as Burr and we was great! I have seen 4 Burrs and each have had their best moments. If I had to describe each in one word I would describe Leslie as Sly, Brandon as Vulnerable, Joshua as Passionate, and Wayne as Poised. His Burr is cool calm and collected until he let it all out in RWIT, which was great. His voice does not have the range of Joshua, but it is powerful when it needs to be and  silky smooth at other times. He did not ham anything up and really sank into the character and didn't rely on just being Wayne Brady. 

 

A few times he messed up lines, a few more noticeable than others, but I'm sure by the end of the week that will all be solidified. His dancing was really good, not great, but I also assume that will get better in time. 

If you have any questions just ask!

 

PS. The whole Chicago cast is on fire. Alex is killing it as the King, Miguel is a passionate and powerful Hamilton, Joshua Kirkland has greatly improved and grown on me the most out of anyone in this cast, and Chris, Wallace, and Jose continue to put out memorable and unique performances that I love every single time.

 

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/18/17 at 12:11am

LMM to maybe perform in Chicago?

which night? ?

I know the sentence commutation is a serious event - but, if this were to happen, how much advance notice do you think there would be?  And at what level will the bidding for tix start?  (I'm guessing there would be no formal advance notice)

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/18/17 at 7:03am

I hope it's a matinee on February 15th. That's all.

[ImAGeneralWEE]

Posted: 1/18/17 at 8:43am

Thanks for the report, nightnic! Still sad about Josh but I'm really glad Wayne did well.  I've been so impressed by the Chicago cast every time; I hope they all stick around for a while longer.

[whatdoesntkillme]

Posted: 1/18/17 at 10:34am

ggersten said: "LMM to maybe perform in Chicago?

which night? ?

I know the sentence commutation is a serious event - but, if this were to happen, how much advance notice do you think there would be?  And at what level will the bidding for tix start?  (I'm guessing there would be no formal advance notice)

 

"

Rivera gets out of prison May 17. I have tickets for the show 4 days later....

[Nycat63]

Posted: 1/18/17 at 10:44am

Guess I will not see Lin at the end of March then!  Very happy to hear Wayne Brady did a good job so early in his run - I was perhaps not as pessimistic as others about his casting but it's great to hear.  I did catch Joshua Henry's last show, so I feel better either way.  

Question:  How is Wallace Smith as Mulligan/Madison?  He was the only principal out on Sunday so I saw his understudy who I really enjoyed though he has a very different look as well as take on the role than Oak (which is perfectly ok despite how difficult it is not to compare).  But I didn't even know he was the understudy until after the show.  So just curious bc I missed him.  

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/18/17 at 11:07am

I quite enjoyed Wallace's take on Mulligan/Madison when I saw the show in November.

[Nycat63]

Posted: 1/18/17 at 11:17am

DottieD'Luscia said: "I quite enjoyed Wallace's take on Mulligan/Madison when I saw the show in November.

 

Thanks!  Hope to catch him in March.  They really did a superb job of casting in Chicago so i would love to catch all the principals.  Though no complaints whatsoever about his understudy.