Question about Hamilton for those who have seen it (SPOILERS)

I want to at first thank everyone for taking the time to read this and respond. People have been so helpful in the past.

I am seeing Hamilton this weekend (yay!!!) and I'm excited. However, I do have sensitive ears and know that there are most probably gunshots in the musical. I don't have problems with shouting or loud music cues or loud music, just gunshots.

Could someone please tell me when and where they happen? Don't worry about spoilers, I operate better when I know when things occur. Are they recorded or do they fire blanks? I am sure that in the duel scene you are warned, ha.

Thanks so much. I'm fine once I know when things happen. I just don't like being startled.

There are definitely gunshots. The scene when they are having the revolutionary battles in Act 1, 1 duel in Act 1, 2 in Act 2. But the battle scenes has the loudest and most number of booms. I can't remember the exact moments but all the Act 1 booms are after Washington enters the musical. I think they are recorded.

Updated On: 9/4/15 at 07:35 PM

In the Battle of Yorktown in Act 1, I believe there are several very deep sounds meant to be cannon shots. They sound like low, rumbling booms.

Thank you everyone for your answers! So I'm gathering that the booms are recorded, and you can tell when most of the gunshots are coming. That's cool--I've been to shows where there is hardly a warning and it's startling. Thanks again!

ChiTheaterFan, please, no worries! I appreciate the fact that you took the time to answer. It sounds to me like the sounds won't be that big of a deal in the play. I can handle booms. I recently saw a play that had over 50 gunshots in it so I think I'll be OK at Hamilton. I just like to be prepared!

don't want to kill your buzz but, I would pick another show to see. Its not what you will want it to be.walked out at intermission. Couldn't help it !!!

Most people love it. Hope you do, too!

Saw the show on Sunday night and loved it! Fantastic from start to finish, with innovative staging and orchestrations. Deserves the hype. Glad I made the trip to see it (and an interesting double feature with King and I, which I saw Sunday afternoon). : ) Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions. The recorded sound effects went easy on my ears.

Romaine I'm glad you enjoyed it! I was there last night as well. I don't know if it just keeps getting better and better but last night everyone seemed on fire. I did actually pay attention to the sound effects and I guess I didn't notice them before because they're recorded and they didn't startle me. I'm very glad they weren't bothersome to you.

Hellob, as a matter of fact when I was there I made a conscious effort to watch some of the ensemble dancers and more minor characters. I had never really noticed the dancer with the long brown hair and I found myself watching her in several numbers. Christopher Jackson was another I focused on more than I had previously. His performance has that calm power that I associate with George Washington--he is one that definitely seems to be getting even better. (Not that he wasn't great to begin with.). I still have a hard time not focusing on Leslie Odom Jr. whenever he's on stage though. He's just so so so good. The Room Where It Happened seemed even more dramatic last night and it really did stop the show. The audience just kept cheering.

Updated On: 9/7/15 at 05:58 PM

So fun that we were at the same performance ChiTheaterFan! Side note: Do you happen to know who was at our performance in the audience? I heard applause in the mezzanine before the show started. I was on the orchestra section and did not see who it was.

I can imagine that Hamilton is worth re-visiting. There is a LOT going on--in the lyrics, in the choreography and blocking, in the narrative. I wish I lived in NYC and had more access to the show. Definitely worth the trip! : )

Chitown - I agree. Jackson and Hercules/madison (can't spell real name) were who I focused on 2nd time. After first viewing, I felt like LMM screwed his good friend by giving him a boring part compared to Odom/Diggs but on second viewing I realized the fact that he can remain low key is more powerful than I thought. It shows what a good actor he is bc many would hate that and be tempted to ham it up for attention. He doesn't. Also, I think his entry song is in the top 3-5 of the show.

I hate gunshots in musicals - hate, hate, hate. There is nothing in Hamilton that bothered me, not in the least bit. You'll be fine. :)

Hellob said: "Chitown - I agree. Jackson and Hercules/madison (can't spell real name) were who I focused on 2nd time. After first viewing, I felt like LMM screwed his good friend by giving him a boring part compared to Odom/Diggs but on second viewing I realized the fact that he can remain low key is more powerful than I thought. It shows what a good actor he is bc many would hate that and be tempted to ham it up for attention. He doesn't. Also, I think his entry song is in the top 3-5 of the show.

"

Yeah I think Jackson is the perfect Washington and he wouldn't be right for any other roles. I can't spell Mulligan/Madison's name either but he goes by Oak on Twitter. I love the scene when he comes busting out from the back as the spy. He really has the most dramatic contrast between his two characters as well.