Hamilton in San Francisco- Page 8

[Big Apple2]

Posted: 5/17/17 at 7:53pm

Does anyone have any experience to share in regards to rush or SRO tickets lately?  Looking to see what the situation is on those these days. 

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 5/17/17 at 10:37pm

My main quibble was with Jordan Domenica's Jefferson. I agree that he went for the laughs (and got them - and it's all in the text) BUT the result is that Jefferson seems a bit too fey and ineffectual for Jefferson. Jefferson was NOT ineffectual. He was a crowd pleaser, but at the expense of a deeper portrayal.

However, as I said, this is a quibble. It still IS a dynamite production with insanely talented actors.

[Big Apple2]

Posted: 5/18/17 at 2:26pm

I called the box office.  The CSR told me that they don't do rush or SRO.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 5/18/17 at 3:37pm

Big Apple2, yeah they have a digital daily lottery though. I've never seen SRO for SHN theatres. 

[Big Apple2]

Posted: 5/18/17 at 5:14pm

lite2shine said: "Big Apple2, yeah they have a digital daily lottery though. I've never seen SRO for SHN theatres. "

Yeah, that's too bad.  I may have to catch Roman Holiday's pre-Broadway run instead while in the city.

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 5/18/17 at 7:01pm

goin tonight with my best friend..stoked!

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 5/19/17 at 11:47am

incredible performances last night. Full cast in. Michael Lowouye seems to be making some interesting and nuanced choices in both his vocal and spoken performance that I liked a lot. Josh Henry is just such a force on stage its a pure joy to witness. Emmy gave a wonderful and standout performance as did Solea. I didn't think Rory could milk any more laughs out of his 9 minutes as king george but he somehow did. Jordan has decided to go way over the top with his Jefferson performance, it was clownish lat times last night and while it played well for laughs, i felt it may have went a bit too far.   still feel ambers miscast as maria reynolds. I thought the choreography was somehow even crisper and more amazing than my last viewing a month ago. I was in row P center orch which is a bit further back than i like to be and the furthest back ive been for the show...ii felt a little less engaged from that distance and of course if you can get from around row E to L at orpheum thats the sweet spot for this higher than normal stage. For the first time i felt act one ran a bit long.... 

 

The crowd was REALLY into it last night and gave extended applause after:

You'll be back

Satisfied

Yorktown

What'd I miss

the room where it happens

One last time

Do what you can to see this SF cast- they are in the zone and crushing it with their performances of this unique masterpiece of musical theatre....

 

[bear88]

Posted: 5/19/17 at 3:02pm

I sat in Row P, center, back in March for regular orchestra seat prices. They are fine seats, although I wouldn't pay the huge sum being sought.

I will be headed back next Saturday night for what I assume will be my last time seeing the show for a while. (Three times in 14 months seems sufficient.) I cringe at the thought that Jordan Donica has gotten more clownish as Jefferson as the run has progressed.

The funny thing about the Lafayette/Jefferson role is that I thought Jefferson would be the easier part because of the technical difficulty of rapping at light speed as Lafayette. But Jefferson is a more pivotal role. Yes, there is an absurdity to the character, but what's just as important - and what Daveed Diggs pulled off perfectly - is conveying Jefferson's intelligence, ruthlessness, and charisma. Without that, he is an unworthy rival of Hamilton. In March, Donica was
overshadowed by Luwoye and especially by
Joshua Henry's Burr. I was hoping he would
improve; perhaps I should temper my
expectations.

I will finally get to assess how our partial view seats are in Row H.

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 5/19/17 at 5:48pm

hi Bear88

I agree that completely that Jefferson's intelligence, ruthlessness, and charisma is a perfect blend of what Daveed delivered so well in the character, and what others have said in some ways make Daveeds portrayal of the role the toughest shoes to fill by another actor, so i empathize with Jordan's task...

It did feel that Donica matched up better in the scenes with lowouye than earlier viewings, and also that it seemed to me that lowouye and henry are matching each other better as rivals( i think henry has modulated down a bit so he doesnt completely dominate in the seen with he and lowouye)

 

[NYfanfromCA]

Posted: 5/19/17 at 7:05pm

So I sold my six seats for face value because the dates no longer worked for us.  Now I am looking for two last minute tickets or two lottery tickets so that I can just take my teenage son.  Does anyone know how it works for last minute will call tickets if I have already purchased six tickets, but not actually seen the show?  I have seen some decent last minute seats, but hesitate due to the household limit.  I called and was told that even lottery tickets count toward the houselhold limit.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Feel free to PM me any ideas.  Thank you in advance.

Updated On: 5/23/17 at 07:05 PM

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 5/19/17 at 8:08pm

i would call the box office and let them know what happened and i would be very surprised if they would not sell you two tickets, and great center orch tix are showing up for most performances 1-3 days before show at $185

[Big Apple2]

Posted: 5/21/17 at 9:36pm

Now that I've gotten tickets for June, it appears that Sunday is when SHN releases additional tickets for future performances.  Done this twice already for good center mezannine tickets. 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 5/23/17 at 6:09pm

Does Ryan perform Hamilton on Sundays like the other companies? Thanks. 

[NYfanfromCA]

Posted: 5/23/17 at 6:12pm

neonlightsxo said: "Does Ryan perform Hamilton on Sundays like the other companies? Thanks. 

 

"

I read once that Ryan Alvarado does perform on Sundays, though I can't find it in writing anymore.  A friend of mine took his family on a Sunday, and Ryan was on as Hamilton.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 5/23/17 at 6:16pm

Thanks! I figured as much.

[antonijan]

Posted: 5/24/17 at 5:19am

You can always buy cancelled tickets but it is approximately $200. 

[melora]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 8:27am

I have 2 tickets for sale for Hamilton on Wednesday May 31.  My husband has fallen ill and we will not be able to make our planned trip to San Francisco.  The tickets are Balcony first row, but on the side, partial view, AA 2 and 4.  Since I am in New Jersey, I would have to overnight mail the hard tickets.  I only want to get the amount we paid, which was $100 per ticket, plus share the overnight cost.  So I'm pricing them at $105 each.  Please PM me.

Updated On: 5/26/17 at 08:27 AM

[NYfanfromCA]

Posted: 5/28/17 at 2:20am

broadwaysfguy said: "i would call the box office and let them know what happened and i would be very surprised if they would not sell you two tickets, and great center orch tix are showing up for most performances 1-3 days before show at $185

 

"

I contacted the box office and was told that they could not sell me any seats since I had purchased the limit, and that I would have to find someone to buy them for me.  The problem is that last minute tickets (10 days or less in advance) can only be picked up 2 hours prior to the show.  I will have to coordinate with a friend or relative in SF to do this for me.  Not easy!  Oh well, I'm sad but will keep trying until the run is over.

[bear88]

Posted: 5/28/17 at 6:21pm

My second, and presumably last, visit to Hamilton's tour stop in San Francisco, was last night.

I was in the much-feared "limited view" seats last night (Row H, Seat 14, on the far right). There were two seats to my right, which are labeled "obstructed view." For those considering those seats, they do have some problems, as much for the limited view of the back of the right side of the stage as for the expected problems seeing actors on the far right. (I actually could see actors on the second level some of the time.) My wife and daughter, sitting closer to the aisle, were better off. Basically, closer to the center is definitely better, at least when you're close to the elevated stage. But you don't really miss anything, especially if you've seen the show before, and there are definite advantages to Row H - as it was the closest I've been to the actors at Hamilton (my third time overall, including seeing the OBC, sans Lin and Oak, last year).

Most of the young cast has eased into their roles nicely, and I got a chance to see Ryan Alvarado - who basically served as my chance to see a poor man's Lin-Manuel Miranda. He has shaky moments, as his voice is weak in ballads ["Dear Theodosia," "Hurricane" - two songs where Javier Munoz and Michael Luwoye, my previous Hamiltons, shine, as well as "It's Quiet Uptown"]  but I really enjoyed him overall. It's got to be quite something for such a young, inexperienced guy on his first tour to be playing opposite Joshua Henry. He plays the role with confidence and handles the acting and rapping well.

Nothing much to say about Henry, who at this point I can only compare to his March performance and to Leslie Odom Jr. My wife, who didn't see him in March, marveled at his acting work and the simmering resentment he aims at Hamilton until it bubbles over. His performances of "Your Obedient Servant" and "The World Was Wide Enough" were fantastic, especially at close range.

The show was in previews when I saw it last, and there were some noticeable improvements. The most striking was by Jondan Donica. I have been more critical of Donica's performance, especially as Jefferson, than anyone on this thread. But he was a lot better, displaying more of Jefferson's shrewdness than before, even if he still crumples a bit too easily during the rap battles. But Donica's Jefferson no longer seems like an unworthy rival of Hamilton and Burr, and the actor has developed enough confidence to put some of his own flair in the role. Donica always had charm as Lafayette, and if he can't quite keep up with "Guns and Ships" while holding a French accent, well, that's because Daveed Diggs is unique. Donica has let his hair grow out. Maybe that helps. But he tops my "Most Improved" list.

I liked Emmy Raver-Lampmann a lot in March, and she's only gotten better. Back then, I felt like she was holding back a little in "Satisfied" until the end. No longer. She rips her way through the song and still ends with an anguished flourish. It's remarkable to watch up close.

Solea Pfeiffer owns Act 2 as Eliza, especially with "Burn," which she stops right before the last line for an extra beat or two in the best performance I have ever seen of the song. She acts the part very well. My only qualm remains  "Helpless,"  although her vocals are stronger than they were in March.

I didn't see Mathenee Treco in March, because he was out, but he's great fun as Mulligan and does fine as Madison.

I have defended Amber Iman before. She's a lot of comic fun as Peggy, and I thought her performance as Maria Reynolds in "Say No to This" was a lot more effective than in March - and I didn't dislike it then. She's not Jasmine Cephas Jones, and she has a lower voice. But Iman is fine. 

Isaiah Johnson was a standout vocally as George Washington in March, but he's only gained in confidence since then. His acting was a bit tentative then, but he is a lot more comfortable now and demonstrates the command that Washington should have. And his soulful "One Last Time," always one of my favorite songs in the show, is wonderful.

It's funny to me how so many people on various threads here carp that Hamilton won't "age well." I have no idea how audiences in 2040 will respond to the show, but it's a well-constructed musical with plenty of spectacle and substance. "Yorktown" got a huge response from the audience last night because, well, it's pretty awesome. "The Room Where it Happens" is a masterfully-constructed song that sets up the rest of the show (I really noticed the banjo, being so close to the stage). Lin-Manuel Miranda, with plenty of help from his collaborators, put together a terrific (and in many ways traditional) show that doesn't need the original cast to work. 

Updated On: 5/28/17 at 06:21 PM

[NYfanfromCA]

Posted: 5/28/17 at 6:42pm

bear88 said: "Most of the young cast has eased into their roles nicely, and I got a chance to see Ryan Alvarado - who basically served as my chance to see a poor man's Lin-Manuel Miranda. He has shaky moments, as his voice is weak in ballads ["Dear Theodosia," "Hurricane" - two songs where Javier Munoz and Michael Luwoye, my previous Hamiltons, shine, as well as "It's Quiet Uptown"]  but I really enjoyed him overall. It's got to be quite something for such a young, inexperienced guy on his first tour to be playing opposite Joshua Henry. He plays the role with confidence and handles the acting and rapping well.

"

Thanks for your detailed review.  Do you know if Ryan Alvarado is always in on Saturday nights?  I know that he is Hamilton on Sundays.  I am trying to see Michael Luwoye and want to buy tickets (if I can) for a show when Michael is on as Hamilton.

[bear88]

Posted: 5/28/17 at 7:27pm

Someone else would know better than me. I don't know if Luwoye had the week, or weekend off. I know Alvarado normally plays Hamilton on Sundays, but I don't think he usually has Saturday nights. Luwoye is not as active on Twitter at the moment.

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 5/28/17 at 10:38pm

hi Bear88-thanks for the update. i want to see ryan, so will go some sunday.

Agree with you that Hamilton will wear well with various casts and will take its place among both the longest running and "top" musicals

[NYfanfromCA]

Posted: 5/29/17 at 11:27am

bear88 said: "Someone else would know better than me. I don't know if Luwoye had the week, or weekend off. I know Alvarado normally plays Hamilton on Sundays, but I don't think he usually has Saturday nights. Luwoye is not as active on Twitter at the moment.

 

"

I found a friend to get two tickets for Wednesday, so I will see!  Hoping Michael Luwoye is Hamilton and that Joshua Henry is on as Burr.  I wanted to see Joshua in Chicago but then he joined the tour, so very excited to see his performance in SF. 

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 5/30/17 at 2:15pm

congrats nyfanfromca-check in and let us know how the show was for you. also consider seeing roman holiday while youre here. not a perfect show bit very entertaining and 40 tix avail on tixtoday

[NYfanfromCA]

Posted: 6/1/17 at 8:03pm

broadwaysfguy said: "congrats nyfanfromca-check in and let us know how the show was for you. also consider seeing roman holiday while youre here. not a perfect show bit very entertaining and 40 tix avail on tixtoday

 

"

So thrilled to have seen this SF production at the 2:00 PM matinee yesterday (5/31)!  I was happy to see in the insert that Luwoye would be on as Hamilton and Henry as Burr.  Whew!  I saw the show twice in NY with LMM/Odom, Jr. and Munoz/Smith pairings, so this was my third set of dueling politicians .

I thought that the production was top notch in every way!  The sound was great, lighting was gorgeous.  The Orpheum is not one of my favorite venues, and the last time I was there was for If/Then, and the sound was awful.  There were only a couple of instances yesterday when there were mic problems with a couple of cast members.  We sat in H 105 and 107.  Could not have asked for better seats, really!  I sat in box seats at Richard Rodgers for my first Hamilton in December 2015, and from there I missed a bit on the right side, and could see the tops of a lot of heads.  I sat in C center for a May 2016 show, and that was a little too close.  H was really excellent at this venue.

Luwoye was great!  He sounded similar to LMM to me throughout most of the performance, which I loved. Henry was also great, such a treat to see him.  He is definitely more aggressive than Odom Jr's Burr, but I enjoyed his take on the role.  He seems more of a villain and more conniving, IMO.  Raver-Lampman was a wonderful Angelica.  Pfeiffer had faint vocals for Act One, but won me over in Act Two with Burn and Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.  Tears streaming during that last song . 

Carbajal was an excellent Laurens/Philip and I really liked Treco as Mulligan/Madison (though he never appeared or sounded sick to me, he was enthusiastic!)  O'Malley is a fun king.  I saw him in NYC and he is great and had the audience in stitches.

I longed for Christopher Jackson's height and presence as George Washington.  I also missed Daveed Diggs as Lafayette/Jefferson.  Still, the entire cast is working super hard, it's a wonderful show, and I would love to see it again before it closes.

It was easy to pick up our Will Call tickets, the crowd was happy and excited, and the staff was helpful and smiling.  It was a gorgeous day in San Francisco, and my only complaint is that the women's restroom near Door 3 has the slowest line in the history of bathroom lines.  It took the entire intermission, just standing there.  Line moved slow for just 9 stalls down the stairs.  They had two lines feeding into one and it was just ridiculous.  I don't know if the larger downstairs bathrooms would have been a better choice or not.  Many people did not make it back to their seats in time for Act Two.  Oh, and we took BART from Fremont, which worked out fine, but I may decide to drive in the next time I go to the Orpheum.