Hamilton in Chicago — Page 19

I've seen it twice in Chicago. Once in the front balcony (October) and once in the boxes (February). Didn't experience any sound issues at all.

Any news on how Daniel Breaker's first performance went?

I saw it in Chicago this winter! I got my tickets on the secondary market, but honestly, the prices were comparable to what my friends paid. And the process was totally legit. I LOVED it in Chicago, now I want to go to Broadway and see it there!

I saw Hamilton in Chicago tonight and it was by far the most amazing theatrical experience I've had. There's a lot that could be said but I'll just comment on the cast for now.

-Aubin Wise as Angelica was the only understudy on and she killed it. My mom could not believe that she was the understudy. Her "Satisfied" was one of the highlights of the show. She was choking back tears while finishing the song, and I started to tear up then too.

-Daniel Breaker was great as Burr. He brought a lot of sass and anger to the role. Somebody commented that Wayne Brady didn't really narrate "as Burr" and I felt that Breaker stayed in character the whole time. His anger towards Hamilton really grew over the course of his show and you could really feel the tension during "Obedient Servant".

-Miguel Cervantes had a great voice and excellent rapping skills. Towards the beginning he came off as overacting a bit, but that faded away quickly. His "Hurricane" was another highlight. I feel like it's one of the most underrated songs in the show. With the choreography and lighting it is a stunning moment.

-Ari Afsar had a beautiful voice and her acting was some of the best in the show. The finale brought me to tears. Her complex mix of joy, hope, and sadness in the final moments was truly beautiful.

-As for the rest of the cast: Alexander Gemignani was hilarious as King George. He was as sassy and over the top as he needed to be. Chris D'Sean Lee was hilarious as Jefferson and his rapping was impeccable throughout. Jonathan Kirkland's "One Last Time" really showcased his killer vocals. Wallace Smith did a good job with James Madison (although I think someone with a deeper voice would've worked better for Hercules Mulligan). Samantha Marie Ware was great, especially as Maria. Jose Ramos was good as well, although his characters don't really have any standout moments.

The crowd reaction was the strongest of any show I've been to. I heard a few guys walking out who hated it, but my mom, who hates rap music and had never heard anything from the show before, was raving about the show during intermission and as we walked out.

Here is a picture from Row Z seat 17 - Sort of close to Y-11

Picked up some tickets on Sunday for tonight! This will be my first time seeing it, we got row B of the dress circle and I'm hoping we have a decent view. I saw BoM quite a few times at the same theater but never from the dress circle.

Someone correct me if my perception is wrong, but has Karen Olivo been out of the show an awful lot lately?

I'd love to see Daniel Breaker as Burr! Maybe he'll join the Broadway production at some point.

Link to what Jorge's talking about (Ware as Eliza): https://www.instagram.com/p/BTZaVOghU1P/

I saw the show a few days ago, and I too was disappointed with Breaker's Burr. His Burr comes off very desperate, almost as if he himself didn't believe that would ever achieve greatness. His Burr is so focused on working hard that I never thought that he had a growing hatred for Hamilton. It just seemed like he was annoyed by Hamilton, in a very squidward/spongebob type of way. His Burr is almost too focused on his own development to the point that he hasn't taken anyone around him in. It doesn't come off like he was blindsighted, which would be an interesting interpretation. It comes off like he's the only person who couldn't see that he would never be President and I had that sense 15 minutes into the show. This changed the entire ending for me. Burr's choice to kill Hamilton made him seem like he overreacted to the election as an isolated event, not that this was the cherry on top of a very passionate and dynamic relationship between the two. When I saw Odoms as Burr, killing Hamilton seemed inevitable as opposed to Breaker's almost childish and unjustified murder.

Karen Olivo as Angelica was the real standout for me. I would dare say she's better than Renee. She is truly sensational.

Samantha Ware was excellent as Peggy and unbelievable as Maria. The moment her Maria steps out on stage you are clear of her intentions and she has the most amazing physical life as the character. Bravo for adding so much to what could be considered a small character.

Ari Afsar was quite good and I preferred her to Philipa until Burn. Her Burn was well sung, but I felt like I was watching the moment after she had already made up her mind, as opposed to watching her discover her relationship to this news or surprise herself in the moment. Her acting of the song didn't go anywhere.

Miguel was great, very different than Javi, but great. Miguel got more of the charisma, risk taking side of Hamilton where I feel that Javi was more of a man of honor.

Alex G. was great, Colby Lewis was on as Lafayette and he was quite good. I loved Jose Ramos as John Laurens, but think he went a bit too child like and comedic in his Phillip Hamilton moments.

I have to say I didn't love Jonathan Kirkland. He definitely brings it home with his last solo, but his singing was shockingly flat for the rest of the show, and I didn't feel like he was completely connected to his character.

Updated On: 4/27/17 at 05:16 PM

Finally won the lotto today after eight months of trying; got one of the front row seats thankfully! It was an entirely new experience seeing it that up close and personal. I've been lucky enough to see the show 4 times prior over the years, twice in NYC and twice in Chicago, so I'd thought I had already gotten everything out of the show that I could. I'm so glad I was wrong. I almost cried during the opening number out of sheer joy (key word almost).


Miguel is still outstanding. I've seen him 3 times, and not only is he miles above Lin and Javier IMO, his performance just keeps getting more nuanced. I'm hoping he either renews his contract here in Chicago or gets to go to Broadway - he deserves it.

Was glad to see Karen Olivo was in. All three women were especially strong tonight. After seeing what a bland Eliza looks like (sorry Lexi), I have a newfound appreciation for what Ari's doing.

I was seriously crushing on Jose Ramos. He caught my eye before, but up close he was magnetic. I found myself wanting more stage time for Laurens. Jefferson was an understudy - he was ok, better than the guy that was playing the role in NYC after Daveed left (Seth Stewart?), but he didn't have the over the top charisma that makes the role work for me.

As for Daniel Breaker, his Burr came across as almost a little nerdy or sad sack at the start. He's not cocky like some Burrs I've seen. His Wait For It was a little too subdued for me, but it was well sung. After Room Where It Happens he gets a little more confident, and you start to feel the anger at Hamilton. It was a different take, which I appreciated. I'd still put Leslie Odom Jr and Joshua Henry as the best Burrs I've seen, but I think I liked Breaker's performance more than BVD or Wayne Brady (who was overly confident to the point where it seemed his anger at Hamilton came out of nowhere).

sppunk said: " Kirkland's Washington took a minute to get used to as he is physically smaller - his legs are tiny! His voice is a bit flat but not bad by any stretch. "

You mustn't have seen Jonathan Kirkland then, because he is in no way 'physically small.' He's the tallest person in the entire cast.

Isn't that around Javier's one year as lead? Just a thought.

Good for him, though. I wonder if he has anything big lined up or if he's gonna take a break. Perhaps spongebob if that's still coming in.