Posted: 10/20/16 at 1:11pm
Reviews for Hamilton Chicago production:
http://www.theatreinchicago.com/hamilton/reviews/8162/
Posted: 10/20/16 at 3:07pm
London announcement due tonight seemingly. Obviously waited until Chicago had opened.
Posted: 10/21/16 at 1:27am
Hey all, thanks for your reviews of the show! I am thinking about making the trip up there to see the show and have some questions.
There are tickets right now available till Sept of 2017 but how many of the cast in Chicago right now will still be left by that time? I would really love to see Karen Olivo but someone posted she only has a 6 month contract?
Also, as far as seats go, if you had the option of far left orchestra 5 rows back or so (last few seats in the aisle) or mezz row a far left which would you go with?
I did cancellation line for NY Hamilton and got front row tickets and now I'm spoiled and the last time I saw a show and couldn't see the actors faces I was really annoyed lol.
Posted: 10/21/16 at 7:38am
I saw the production last week - we sat in the mezz row A (about 10 seats off center) - and they were AMAZING seats. You could see the expressions on people's faces and had the full scope of the stage. Really enjoyed it!
Posted: 10/21/16 at 8:29am
I sat center Row F just off the aisle. It was real close to the high stage. You cannot see the floor - although you see all the action on stage. I think you want to be further back. There is a photo here from Row E, Left Orchestra: http://aviewfrommyseat.com/photo/63016/PrivateBank+Theatre/section-ORCH-L/row-E/seat-15/ but it's from Book Of Mormon. The stage is about a foot higher for Hamilton. There are photos on the site from other seats.
Updated On: 10/21/16 at 08:29 AM
Posted: 10/21/16 at 8:34am
Posted: 10/21/16 at 4:56pm
aaaaaa15 said: "I think front mezz is the best place to see Hamilton in any theatre."
Thanks! I think I'll try front mezz then. I couldn't see the floor the last time and while I don't think I missed out on much it will be cool to see from a different point of view.
How long does everything think the Chicago cast will stick around for? Still trying to debate going late March/early April vs next Sept.
Never been to Chicago so if anyone could let me know what they think would be a good time to go let me know! I think going during the summer would be too expensive so I was hoping Sept would be less crazy.
Posted: 10/21/16 at 7:15pm
Random question: Is the merch any different from the Broadway production and the Chicago one? Like do they have their own programs?
Posted: 10/22/16 at 12:53am
Is anyone seeing the show and able to grab a Playbill for me? I am willing to compensate you for shipping!
Posted: 10/22/16 at 1:32am
sorano916 said: "Random question: Is the merch any different from the Broadway production and the Chicago one? Like do they have their own programs?
"
I believe so. The most charming piece of merch I've seen is the Chicago flag with four Hamilton stars instead of four six-pointed stars.
Posted: 10/22/16 at 1:33am
TheSassySam said: "sorano916 said: "Random question: Is the merch any different from the Broadway production and the Chicago one? Like do they have their own programs?
"
I believe so. The most charming piece of merch I've seen is the Chicago flag with four Hamilton stars instead of four six-pointed stars.
"
Meant to add "shirt," but the site won't let me edit the message!
Posted: 10/22/16 at 5:27am
I have some tickets in December that I cannot use. All in the orchestra and are good seats. PM me for dates and details.
Posted: 10/30/16 at 1:30pm
I won the Hamilton lottery today for the matinee and I was wonder if any cast members have been stage dooring matinees. I'm excited!!
Posted: 10/30/16 at 1:49pm
Wow, just wow. This is all I can say after seeing this cast for the first time last night. We're about to get on the plane to head back home and so I'll post a longer review in the next couple of days. Suffice it to say that Hamilton is in extremely capable hands in Chicago (in many ways better than the cast we saw in New York in late July). Absolutely not to be missed!
Posted: 10/30/16 at 2:17pm
Saw this last week - loved the show but found myself comparing/contrasting it with the OBC (which I had seen twice). Overall, I thought both were great productions - was very impressed with the actor playing Burr.
One point that has been brought up here is that the Chicago stage is very high. I was in the 2nd row and there were parts where I could not see the actor's legs. I had been entering the lottery prior to seeing it with by Broadway in Chicago tix and have stopped because I cannot imagine it seeing it from the front row.
Posted: 10/30/16 at 8:46pm
Just saw this today and I'm speachless. I can't believe I've been out on that staging. The cast was amazing with standouts being Karen, Joseph and Joshua(he deserved a mid song standing ovation for room where it happens, at least I gave him one). I thought joseph was the best of both worlds, because he sounded like with a much better singing voice. Only 5 people came out of the stage door with Joseph, Samantha and Jose being the only main cast who came out.
I can't wait to see it again in February and with a much better seat! Or maybe I'll win the lottery again!
Posted: 10/30/16 at 9:31pm
Also I noticed AEA had a bio in the program. Do they have one for every show? If they do that was the first time I noticed it.
Posted: 10/31/16 at 12:09am
Alert! On Tuesday, the first-ever King George understudy is going on.
It's Jin Ha:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMIne3GBxI_/?taken-by=mistterjin
I could've sworn he replied to some fans (or one) about when, but I can't find it. Regardless, it's mentioned here too:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMJ0wlGjTKy/?taken-by=nyugradacting
Posted: 10/31/16 at 12:35am
Call_me_jorge said: "Just saw this today and I'm speachless. I can't believe I've been out on that staging. The cast was amazing with standouts being Karen, Joseph and Joshua(he deserved a mid song standing ovation for room where it happens, at least I gave him one). I thought joseph was the best of both worlds, because he sounded like with a much better singing voice. Only 5 people came out of the stage door with Joseph, Samantha and Jose being the only main cast who came out.
I can't wait to see it again in February and with a much better seat! Or maybe I'll win the lottery again!
"
Oh!! I didn't see them come out--we must have been waiting in the wrong space. Would it be bad if I went after the show Tuesday? Haha. Joseph wouldn't be there though. I would have loved to have told them how brilliant I thought they were, as I was really impressed by those three (and Wallace and Arianna) in particular.
I saw the performance today as well! First row of the dress circle off to the right. It was absolutely incredible. Arianna made us weep like no tomorrow. Joseph was perfect (and sounds quite unnervingly like Lin, actually).
Updated On: 10/31/16 at 12:35 AM
Posted: 10/31/16 at 1:23am
Does anybody have any more specific reviews to offer of Ari Afsar and Karen Olivo's performances? Most interested in hearing what they're doing with the roles 
Posted: 10/31/16 at 3:11am
I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have! I haven't seen the OBC so my comparisons are just from what I gleaned from the cast album and the official clips.
Karen's an interesting case. Her Angelica is much more emotive than Renee's. I think Renee's Angelica strives to keeps the intensity of her emotion under control, even in an apostrophe; Karen, on the other hand, is audibly and visibly pained during Satisfied--particularly in the end during the toasts. The Sun-Times succinctly said she "makes feverish regret palpable", which is very accurate.
Ari's Eliza is a lot more bubbly and openly emotional than what I imagine Pippa's to be like. Pippa's Eliza comes across as quite understated, whereas Ari's has her heart on her sleeve. The best example of this I can think of is during Helpless, after the harem line when Angelica says "I'm just sayin' if you really loved me you would share him." Pippa's Eliza gives a short, ribbing "Ha!" whereas Ari's gave a surprised yelp. All of that being said, while I think Pippa embodies the role perfectly, I will say that Ari is a gem and she made me consistently cry basically every time she sang haha. And when she smiles, she is not acting. She's naturally beaming!
I also want to give Samantha a shout out! She totally made Peggy her own, which was awesome. Jasmine's (from the Schuyler Sisters clip) seems spunky, whereas Samantha rolled her eyes and came across more like an apathetic teenager. I loved how different the two were.
edit:
Might as well give my two-cents on everyone :o)
Wallace Smith - I was so impressed by him, particularly as Madison, which is not a role I cared about at all going into this (I love Oak, though!). He played him completely straight-laced, as someone who was charged with keeping Jefferson under control (more on that later). And every time the focus was on him as Madison, he made the audience laugh. He was brilliant. And he has a gorgeous voice.
Chris Lee - I preferred him as Lafayette, I think. Daveed's Jefferson seemed to have this suave charisma that informed his way with words and ability to get to people. Chris's was... kind of a ham? He was super goofy. That was really surprising haha. I didn't expect that at all. Listening to the cast recording, it kind of seems like Madison's Jefferson's lackey. Seeing it with Chris and Wallace made it seem like Madison was tasked with ensuring Jefferson stayed focused.
Jonathan Kirkland - I love the timbre of his voice. His voice is deep and beautiful, and he has a lovely vibrato, but it's maybe not that powerful? I'm not sure. Very different from Chris Jackson. I get the sense that Jonathan is working on his belts. I look forward to seeing how much he changes in the next year or so. He's a great, subtle actor, though.
Jose Ramos - I was SO surprised by Jose Ramos. I saw his Q&A video with Chris and Wallace and he seemed nervous about his lack of experience, but he was perfect for his roles. His face was always on point, his voice was always on point, and he was incredible in Stay Alive (Reprise).
Joseph Morales - I thought Joseph was WONDERFUL. First of all, he sounds like Lin, which really threw us for a second. His rapping is excellently timed and his voice is stunning. It's an interesting trade-off given how similar he sounds to Lin--he's clearly a technically more skilled singer, but Lin's raw emotion in songs like Hurricane and Dear Theodosia really get to me. I think he also just needs a little more confidence when rapping, but I'm sure that'll come with time. He's a great actor. I felt so bad/embarrassed, because during It's Quiet Uptown, when Eliza takes his hand, his face crumples and he clasps his hand over his mouth, and I let out an audible sob seeing that. It was a tremendously human moment.
Updated On: 10/31/16 at 03:11 AM
Posted: 10/31/16 at 7:03am
Something that Ari did that I thought was interesting, and I don't know if the obc or any other eliza has done this, but she gasped at the end right before the lights went black. It really struck accord and I started sobbing at that moment.
Also to add on to the reviews of the cast
Alex as King George is so brilliant. He brings in his own flare into it and has his own riffs that I love. He also seems more gitty than what ive heard from jonathon on the album. I would expect him to be more refined and like Brian, but he seemed to take what Jonathan did and stepped it up 5 times.
Posted: 10/31/16 at 7:22am
Call_me_jorge said: "Something that Ari did that I thought was interesting, and I don't know if the obc or any other eliza has done this, but she gasped at the end right before the lights went black. It really struck accord and I started sobbing at that moment."
Phillipa Soo did the same thing when I saw it. I think it is part of the show. That moment is incredible.
Posted: 10/31/16 at 10:18am
As promised, I'll now post my complete review. The performance was last Saturday night. This was our first time seeing the Chicago production. We have seen Hamilton in New York one time, on July 18, 2016. I will compare the actors in each production, as a point of reference, and also to support what I stated in my earlier post (that in some ways this cast is stronger than what we saw in New York).
I also wanted to mention that we sat in Row Q, Orchestra Right when we saw Hamilton in New York. I think that this area is perfect when seeing Hamilton for the first time, as it allows you to see all of the amazing stage craft and lighting. In Chicago we sat much closer, on Row G at the far right orchestra (seats 16 and 1
. I loved being this close, as it allowed us to appreciate individual performances to a greater degree. I think Row G in this theater is close enough, as the height of the stage could be an issue if you're much closer, as has been mentioned earlier in this thread. We did miss some things that happened far stage right, but not enough to make a big difference in our enjoyment.
Now, on to the performances:
Miguel is a great Hamilton, and has clearly grown into the role. We had the good fortune of seeing him in New York, early in his run (when he was doing all Monday performances). In Chicago he was even better than he was the first time we saw him. I have nothing but praise for him in all categories (acting, rapping, and singing).
Joshua Henry was a revelation. We enjoyed Austin Smith in New York, but Joshua takes this role to an entirely different level. He owned this role from the moment he stepped onto the stage to the last curtain. His rapping was better than expected, and anyone who has seen Joshua live can imagine what he brought to the singing. He received rapturous applause after both "Wait For It" and "Room Where It Happens," with the latter nearly stopping the show. I actually liked his singing better than Leslie's on the Cast Album (is it sacrilege to say that?) We have followed Joshua's career almost from the beginning, and seeing him at this level was one of my most satisfying theater experiences ever. I can't say enough about how incredible he is.
Ari Afsar was quite good as Eliza. She was radiant throughout, and her singing was on point (although not quite as powerful as Phillipa on the OBC). We saw Alysha Deslorieux in New York. Alysha was fine, but not really memorable. I will definitely remember Ari's performance for a very long time. She is so natural in the role, and Broadway will be very lucky when she gets her first show there. Slight spoiler: I knew about the final gasp from our previous viewing in New York, but Ari's seemed more natural and heartfelt: the last thing we see before the theater goes black is Ari's beaming smile of relief after the gasp. Simply gorgeous.
We had never seen Karen Olivo in anything before. Her understudies were on when we saw both West Side Story and In The Heights in New York. Therefore, it was quite the treat to finally get to see her in person, particularly in this role. Her acting was impeccable (the final toast in "Satisfied" was heartbreaking as she was obviously holding back tears). She brought a grandeur to the role that was palpable. Her singing was not quite as powerful as Renee's, who we saw in New York, but that did not change my opinion of her performance in any way. Karen Olivo is one of the main reasons that Hamilton in Chicago is not to be missed.
Chris Lee was great, particularly as LaFayette. Earlier in this thread Mahnuma echoed my thoughts exactly: Lee's Jefferson was much more comedic than either Diggs on the OBC or Seth Stewart, who we saw in New York. This is not a bad thing, as the audience in Chicago was clearly eating it up, and deservedly so. Side note: I like my LaFayette/Jefferson with lots of hair, which Lee definitely has!
Jonathan Kirkland was a very good Washington. His rapping still is not quite as natural as Jackson's, who we saw in New York, but I don't feel that this takes away too much from his performance. He has a powerful singing voice, and he adds the needed gravitas to the role. His "One Last Time" was very good.
Wallace Smith deserves special accolades. He was quite good as Mulligan, but he was spectacular as Madison. I must admit that I barely noticed the role of Madison when we saw it New York (we saw Oak, who of course was great). Perhaps this was a result of being further back in New York, and much closer to the stage in Chicago. Whatever the reason, Wallace's Madison was so clearly defined and nuanced, that I noticed that I was focused in on him in almost every scene that he was in. As someone mentioned earlier, he seems to have the task of attempting to reel in Jefferson, and he played that role nicely. I can't say enough about how much I appreciated Smith in this role. (I still prefer Oak's Mulligan)
Jose Ramos was quite good in the 2 roles, and comparable to Chappelle, who we saw in New York. He has a beautiful singing voice, and his acting was fine.
Samantha Ware as Peggy/Maria was fantastic. Her Maria was as good as Jasmine Jones, who we saw in New York, but where Samantha really shines is as Peggy (which is pretty remarkable, considering how little stage time this character has). In the short time that she is on as Peggy, she is able to clearly define this character as the fun-loving and slightly petulant teenager that she is.
Alexander Gemignani was excellent. King George is such a juicy role for the right actor, and Gemignani made the role his own. We loved Rory in New York, and Gemignani didn't disappoint. His King George was more demented than Rory's, and this choice works very well. The audience absolutely ate it up, and Gemignani got the most laughs of the night.
Finally, no review of Hamilton is complete without mentioning the ensemble. This ensemble was as good as the cast in New York. This has to be the most demanding show ever for an ensemble, and the Chicago cast makes it look effortless. Truly special!
EDIT: for some reason, a smiley face is in the place of the 8 that I was attempting to type. I've made several attempts to edit this, but the smiley face stays! Anyway, we were in seats 16 and 18, the 2 seats farthest to the right.
Updated On: 10/31/16 at 10:18 AM
Posted: 10/31/16 at 1:52pm
Thanks so much for this awesome review, luvcaroline! I've seen it twice in New York and will be seeing it in Chicago tomorrow for the first time, so this was very timely for me. I especially appreciated your discussion of the seats - we'll be in orchestra row G also, but stage left instead of stage right (not quite as far right as you were to the left), and I was starting to get pretty concerned about the stage being too high from there. But I really, really, like seeing facial expressions up close, which is why I got the row G seats.
I have to admit to not only excitement about seeing it in Chicago, but some trepidation, as the NYC shows were so fantastic, and as the OBC recording is so engraved in my brain. Thanks for this very reassuring review!
