Finally got to see the show last night. I put off listening to the recording for a few weeks, because I didn't want to get sick of the music, but even if I hadn't I think I would have been as equally blown away as I was last night. The recording is great, of course, but this show really does have to be seen. The staging and choreography are drop-dead brilliant. Of course, there are overtly stunning moments- the rewind of Satisfied, and the battle during Yorktown, which garnered a large round of applause mid-song- but the whole show is just stuffed with these smart little moments. It's not showy or overbearing, but it was so clear that there was an immense amount of care and thought put into every gesture and stage picture. As good as the score is, the staging elevates it to this sensational place.
In addition, every performance was excellent- most of this cast has been with the show for over a year now, but I couldn't see any sign of wear or fatigue in the performance. It really is so difficult not to single out every single lead- everyone has at least one or two standout moments throughout the show- and that's not even including the stellar ensemble, who work their asses off and are such a big reason why the show works as well as it does. I adored Groff, who makes the absolute most of his 10 minutes. Goldsberry knocks Satisfied out of the damn park. I have never heard an audience roar so much as after The Room Where it Happens, and Odom Jr. is of course magnetic throughout the whole night. I was slightly disappointed to miss Daveed Diggs, but Andrew Chappelle played both roles very well- his rapping wasn't as assured as Daveed's, but he was totally charming and hilarious as Jefferson. I really could go on- I so badly want to see it again, because it's overwhelming in the absolute best way. Still, even though that likely won't be for a while, I'm so glad I got to go at all. The hype for this is more than earned, and I'm glad it'll be on Broadway for many years to come.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.