Hamilton in Chicago — Page 9

Call_me_jorge said: "Something I am just remembering about the set(haven't seen the NY production so it could be the same case) is the platform the set all the tables on when they were tracking them in and off. Well at first I thought the platform on a track then over a the course of the show I saw there wasn't a track and a guy was pushing a pole to move it(I'm not familiar with the name of this process), but I thought it was interesting David Korins would have a track for the candles, but not for this platform. Anyone know why?"

Which tables?

From what I remember when I saw it, the cast members carry each set piece on and off. Except the candles like you already said.

Updated On: 11/13/16 at 01:39 PM

I just got back from my weekend in Chicago. I purchased tickets to the Friday and Saturday evening performances the day they went on sale. I sat in the Dress Circle Friday evening, and the Mezzanine on Saturday evening. I much preferred my seat in the mezzanine.

I was excited just to be going, but when the cast was announced I could not wait for November to get here!! Overall, I actually preferred the Chicago company to the Broadway company. Both Joshua Henry and Karen Olivo made me forget the performances of the Broadway predecessors. It was refreshing to see their own spin on their respective characters. Joshua Henry blew "Room Where it Happens" out of the water. Wow, oh wow. It was great to hear the Chicago audience giving him love. Karen Olivo's performance was just so grounded and emotional. I loved her wigs.

I thought Jonathan Kirkland was fine, but there was something missing. I would love to see Quentin Earl Darington take on the role of George Washington. He just has the physical presence and vocals necessary to make the role a success.

Jose Ramos was a little raspy when I saw the show Friday night, so I wasn't surprised to see his understudy Jean Godsend Floradin on as John Laurens/Phillip Hamilton on Saturday night. Come to find out it was his first time going on. He was wonderful!! His song towards the end of Act 1 when Alexander Hamilton is notified of his death gave me chills.

I absolutely loved both Chris De'Sean Lee and Wallace Smith.

I am so happy I made the trip.

Updated On: 11/15/16 at 07:44 PM

Do Miguel and Joseph have a specific alternate schedule? Or does it vary by week...

Dottie, thank you for your report!

Joseph does not perform every Sunday--Miguel was performing this past Sunday.

I saw it again today!! Long story that has to do with some bizarre misplaced guilt about meeting Miguel Cervantez before actually seeing him perform and just a very bad week triggered an impulse to buy what I assume is a released lottery seat.

I'm going to start with the bad! Because why not.

- Alright, I'm just going to say it--the person sitting next to me switched my seat for theirs before I got there (the boxes have movable chairs), so my view was severely obstructed. I should've spoken up for myself, but I felt bad since this was my second time seeing it (but I paid full price! why am I feeling bad! damn it! lol) and I didn't want to create friction in our little box. But sorry, I just need to vent. I've had an absolutely horrible week and this was kind of my little attempt at healing from it so it just makes me upset that someone would do that.

- Dress Circle Left Box obstructed view is a giant speaker blocking off about 60% of the stage. It's pretty dreadful--avoid it if possible.

The good!

- MIGUEL <3 what a gorgeous voice. Both Hamiltons are absolutely excellent. I have no idea which I prefer more. Miguel maybe overall, but Joseph destroyed me during It's Quiet Uptown and his performance is very dear to me because of it.

- Wait For It and The Room Where It Happens were overwhelmingly amazing this time. Joshua Henry is brilliant (and super nice).

- Ari I think legitimately started crying during Burn. It was very moving. Joshua Henry also was full-on crying during The World Was Wide Enough. I could see his lips trembling. What commitment. Absolutely beautiful.

- Dear Theodosia was BEAUTIFUL. Miguel and Joshua's voices sound so very lovely together.

Updated On: 11/17/16 at 02:13 AM

I woke up this morning, entered the Hamilton Chicago lottery, and then read the story about last night's performance in the news section here. I was absolutely distraught and said something about hoping today wasn't the day I win the lottery (I've entered almost every day since the show opened). Five minutes later, guess what, I won the lottery! I still can't believe it happened.

I was in the front row center (probably the best location of the lottery tix - the extreme sides and the boxes seem to be hit or miss) and I would say it was my favorite Hamilton experience of all time. I've seen the OBC minus Groff in NY (which I can barely remember, I was so in shock), and the Chicago cast 3x before this, but today was perfect because it was such a surprise. Yes, the stage is really high so views are blocked, but it was $10 and the actors were looking right at us. Incredible. (The people behind me who paid premium were not so amused with their view...)

Joseph Morales was wonderful as Hamilton and I just can't get over Josh Henry. He gets better every single time! The show is in great shape and I adore every single cast member. (Special shout out to Jose Amor as Samuel Seabury and the sassy doctor! I love him.) I hope the guy who disrupted last night's show has a terrible rest of his life, TBH. Too much? Don't care.

Updated On: 11/20/16 at 08:36 PM

I believe unclaimed lottery tickets are released around 4-5PM most days for 7:30PM showtimes. I bought mine at 5PM. You can, however, buy them at the venue around the same time (the couple in front of me and I realized we were both viewing the same tickets at the same time earlier--me at home and them at the box office).

Updated On: 11/20/16 at 10:27 PM

I've been to the stage door several times and a diminishing number of the cast come out. There is a door to the north of where the "official" line is set up. That is where most of the cast actually comes out. You can see this door from the "official" line but the people running the line don't let you go over there. I assume it's because those people don't want to be bothered.

After seeing it twice this weekend, I can echo what others have said. This cast is really fantastic. Dare I say I enjoyed the voices more than the recording?

Highlights:

- Joshua Henry as Burr. Really phenomenal, his Wait for It and Room Where It Happens was out of this world. Just lets the role consume him.

-Miguel Cervantes as Hamilton. Great singing voice. Really enhances the music (if comparing to the recording)

-Karen Olivo as Angelica. She's perfect. Don't need to say much else.

-Ari Asfar as Eliza. Love her voice. Plays the upbeat Eliza so well and you could really feel the hurt in act 2.

-Alex Gemignani as King George. Owns this role. Audience just ate it up both shows.

Really can't say enough good things about this production. Hope to make it to Chicago again!

Question for the people that purchased tickets for Chicago and chose the mail option (I collect stubs), how far before the show did they arrive?

If I can't get SF tickets, I am thinking of going to Chicago with my teenagers. Is the view from Row M good for $497? Yikes! Are there some $177 seats that you can recommend for four? We can do 2 and 2 if that's easier. The cast sounds amazing!

chi-town_bwayfangirl said: "Got my November 9 tickets in mid-September; haven't gotten my tix for Feb 16 yet.



Thanks. That means my 2/24 tickets should arrive soon. Do you know if it was just a plain envelope or did it say Ticketmaster?