Thoughts on the current Hamilton BROADWAY cast- Page 3

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 10/20/17 at 9:26am

Respectfully, I thought Walker's Burr was by far the least developed of the four Burrs I've seen. I just felt like he wasn't giving me anything other than "here are Burr's lines!" I didn't get any idea what he was trying to communicate for Burr and Burr's essence, which was such a contrast to Odom (and even BVD)'s highly nuanced, clearly intentioned Burr.

[Sbrininger]

Posted: 10/20/17 at 10:22am

Updated On: 10/20/17 at 10:22 AM

[Sbrininger]

Posted: 10/20/17 at 10:38am

amysea said: "mariel9 said: "I've also found, though, that people who didn't see the OBC are happier with the current cast."

This thread has been a little disheartening for me, butI hope what you sayis true! I’m just obsessed with  the obc recording and could probably sing it for you word for word (albeit terribly). I actually managed to gettickets this last release andI’m finally going to see it for the first timein April and can hardly contain myself...but based on this thread I really hope the castlives up to expectations. I know I’m not seeing the obc and there will be different takes on the characters, but I honestly can’t imagine not absolutely loving it."

I, too, am obsessed with the OBC recording and Hamilton’s story -  have most of every song memorized, read the Chernow biography and have a few other  books on his writing that I am working my way through.  My husband, myself and 2 older children went to NYC  for the first time this past weekend and my husband surprised me with tickets to the Tuesday night performance! I absolutely loved it -  so much so that the woman sitting next to me who I did not know actually gave me a hug at the end of the show and told me how happy she was I was able to get tickets because she could tell how much I enjoyed it! Ha!   I literally had tears in my eyes during almost every song (and of course bawled my eyes out during the last half of Act II) because I loved being able to see it so much and was so shocked and grateful to be there.  Actually seeing the facial expressions, body language, the personal flair the actors gave to their characters, not to mention the energy from the entire ensemble, lighting, set....it was incredible! It  made me love the show even more which I did not think was possible.  I  cannot imagine what it would have been like to see the original cast perform it, but seeing the “B-team”  did not diminish the experience for me one bit. 

Was it perfect? No - JMI was a bit  hard to understand as Lafayette, especially during Guns and Ships, and he flubbed a line during “What did I miss?”.  Mandy’s “Satisfied” was not as great as REG’s, Donald  Webber Jr did not quite have the emotional depth that I expect Lin and Javi have in that role.  Lexi’s Eliza was a little shaky at first but got stronger throughout the show.  But those things only come to mind if I think about critiquing the performance .  I thoroughly enjoyed Webber’s  performance as A.Ham and thought his singing voice was better than  Lin’s, the harmonies with mDaniel Breaker in “Dear Theodosia” were perfection, as were the harmonies with Jefferson,Madison and Burr in songs like “Washington on your Side.”   Euan Morton was fantastic as KGIII and had everybody in stitches, my husband included which doesn’t happen often at the theater.  Joanna A. Jones was great as both Peggy and Maria Reynolds and blew me away in “Say No To This.”  Anthony Lee Medina could not have been more perfect as Laurens or Phillip.  Breaker was wonderful as Burr and I really thought that JMI, J. Quinton Johnson and Bryan Terrell Clark were great as Jefferson, Mulligan/Madison and Washington.  

It was hands down the best show I have ever seen - nothing compares to the energy or the genius of Lin’s lyrics and creativity - and I would see it with this same cast over and over again.  So bottom line, I seriously doubt you will be disappointed or regret seeing it. If you love the recording and appreciate how genius Lin and company were in creating it, seeing all of the details that you can’t get through a recording will only make you love it more!

[Jaina]

Posted: 10/20/17 at 10:46am

Very interesting, MyLife! I'm sure part of it was that I went in with the OBC cast recording, and every other snippet I'd seen of the show with them in my head, and wasn't quite ready to accept other interpretations. If I lived in NYC and had all the money I think I could just happily keep seeing it over and over with different combinations of cast members to see all the various interpretations! 

[rjm516]

Posted: 10/20/17 at 1:28pm

For those of you who have seen it recently, thanks for the cast updates! Would you mind commenting on the audience? As more and more people seemed to learn the music during the first year, the audience got rowdier it seemed, with some people mouthing the words the entire time or even audibly saying them sometimes. Awful. Is it worse now that everyone knows all the words or are audience generally behaving themselves? I feel like this could easily get out of hand with people screaming after (or even during) every song but I hope this isn't the case!

[RndmAnswrs4RndmQstns]

Posted: 10/20/17 at 1:36pm

When I went, I didn’t notice anyone singing. I was surrounded by other lottery winners, so I’m not sure if I should have expected anyone to do so, lol.

Maybe I was enjoying myself too much to care if anyone was!

[amysea]

Posted: 10/20/17 at 3:01pm

Sbrininger - That is SO good to hear! I feel like I’m going to have the same reaction as you...just so happy to finally see it all come to life! Thanks for your insight and so glad you enjoyed the show :)

[Rainah]

Posted: 10/20/17 at 5:22pm

MyLife said: "I fell in love wit Nik Walker's Burr and preferred him to Dixon and Breaker. Of the 6 Burrs I have seen, he stood out and ties for second, along with Harcourt, behind Odom. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy him. I found his Burr heartbreaking because of how subtle it was, and I loved how the subtly contrasted with his size because he's a tall dude!"

Love Harcourt's Burr, wish he'd come back and do the role full time. Who did you see against him as Hamilton?

[Rainah]

Posted: 10/20/17 at 5:29pm

rjm516 said: "For those of you who have seen it recently, thanks for the cast updates! Would you mind commenting on the audience? As more and more people seemed to learn the music during the first year, the audience got rowdier it seemed, with some people mouthing the words the entire time or even audibly saying them sometimes. Awful. Is it worse now that everyone knows all the words or are audience generally behaving themselves? I feel like this could easily get out of hand with people screaming after (or even during) every song but I hope this isn't the case!"

As of August, I thought the audience was great. High energy, responsible, generous with the cast. Did not notice anyone being distracting, and I was sitting with the cancellation line people. My least favourite audiences was actually when I saw the OBC (Oct 2015). It was full of people who were there because it was a hot ticket, not because they knew and loved the show. In August (and the january beforehand) I did not find any undue screaming or being rowdy.

They're all there to sit and focus for the show they've paid so much for and waited so long for. The exception is the traditional places - some actors get entrance applause, the little bit of cheering after the first "Alexander Hamilton! My name is Alexander Hamilton", "Immigrants, we get the job done!" "Include women in the sequel!" But there are pauses for this and it is expected.

[Jaina]

Posted: 10/22/17 at 1:01am

Rainah said: "rjm516 said: "For those of you who have seen it recently, thanks for the cast updates! Would you mind commenting on the audience? As more and more people seemed to learn the music during the first year, the audience got rowdier it seemed, with some people mouthing the words the entire time or even audibly saying them sometimes. Awful. Is it worse now that everyone knows all the words or are audience generally behaving themselves? I feel like this could easily get out of hand with people screaming after (or even during) every song but I hope this isn't the case!"

As of August, I thought the audience was great. High energy, responsible, generous with the cast. Did not notice anyone being distracting, and I was sitting with the cancellation line people. My least favourite audiences was actually when I saw the OBC (Oct 2015). It was full of people who were there because it was a hot ticket, not because they knew and loved the show. In August (and the january beforehand) I did not find any undue screaming or being rowdy.

They're all there to sit and focus for the show they've paid so much for and waited so long for. The exception is the traditional places - some actors get entrance applause, the little bit of cheering after the first "Alexander Hamilton! My name is Alexander Hamilton", "Immigrants, we get the job done!" "Include women in the sequel!" But there are pauses for this and it is expected."

Completely agree with Rainah, both times we saw it last week the audiences were great, and we were surrounded by obsessed super-fans both times. I didn't notice anyone singing along or anything like that. As Rainah mentioned there were a couple of places of expected extra applause, but if it went on too long the actors were great at just carrying on, and everyone quieted down pretty much immediately. If you're going to see it soon I hope you have a great time!

[Babe_Williams]

Posted: 10/22/17 at 8:57pm

rjm516 said: "For those of you who have seen it recently, thanks for the cast updates! Would you mind commenting on the audience? As more and more people seemed to learn the music during the first year, the audience got rowdier it seemed, with some people mouthing the words the entire time or even audibly saying them sometimes. Awful. Is it worse now that everyone knows all the words or are audience generally behaving themselves? I feel like this could easily get out of hand with people screaming after (or even during) every song but I hope this isn't the case!"

Saw it in NYC earlier this year and Chicago last spring and although the audience was definitely rowdier than they are with typical shows, noone was obnoxious or singing.

[rjm516]

Posted: 10/23/17 at 6:08am

That's so great to hear! Thanks! 

[MyLife]

Posted: 10/23/17 at 8:49am

Rainah said: "MyLife said: "I fell in love wit Nik Walker's Burr and preferred him to Dixon and Breaker. Of the 6 Burrs I have seen, he stood out and ties for second, along with Harcourt, behind Odom. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy him. I found his Burr heartbreaking because of how subtle it was, and I loved how the subtly contrasted with his size because he's a tall dude!"

Love Harcourt's Burr, wish he'd come back and do the role full time. Who did you see against him as Hamilton?"

I think I saw Harcourt against Javi because I'm pretty sure it was a Sunday matinee. It was Leslie's first batch of shows out, due to a stomach bug.

[Rainah]

Posted: 10/23/17 at 9:12am

mmmm, I found he didn't have a lot of chemistry with Javi. In addition to the rumours of them not getting along... I would have loved to see him against a different Ham, Lin or Luwoye or even Jevon. Best Wait For It I've ever seen though

[MyLife]

Posted: 10/23/17 at 10:32am

Maybe I'm mistaken, I'll have to check when I get home. I didn't notice any lack of tension between Burr and Ham though. If I did have Javi and it is true they didn't get along, maybe that makes for good chemistry (read: tension) between Burr and Ham.

Updated On: 10/23/17 at 10:32 AM

[I'm In Tech!]

Posted: 10/23/17 at 3:42pm

Updated On: 10/23/17 at 03:42 PM

[Ahmy]

Posted: 10/23/17 at 4:28pm

I saw it for the 2nd time in March, and I didn't find the audience too crazy. I was beside two girls who went to high school with Q, so there was extra cheering for his stuff. 

As for the rest of the cast, I thought everyone was pretty decent. Like a few people, I wasn't blown away by Mandy or Lexi. It was Anthony's second week with the show, but it definitely wasn't obvious. (He's so good!) The best surprise for me was seeing Andrew as Lafayette/Jefferson, especially since Seth didn't have very good reviews on here. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/28/17 at 8:59am

I had the immense pleasure of seeing the current Hamilton cast last night. I have to disagree with many on this thread. I saw the original cast about two weeks before most of them left, and they were all phenomenal, but I actually preferred the cast I saw last night. 

While I loved Linn as Alexander Hamilton, Javier Munoz is a much better singer which made a huge difference. Javier Munoz has such a strong stage presence, and his Hamilton was just thrilling.

Daniel Breaker's voice is something else. The chemistry and tension between him and Javier Munoz was perfect, and even stronger than the chemistry between Leslie and Lin. His "Wait For It" was one of the highlights of the show.

Mandy Gonzales was out, and Elizabeth Judd was on for her. WOW. I had previously seen Elizabeth Judd as Wendela in the sensational non-equity tour of Spring Awakening a while back, so it was so cool to see her again. Her voice is absolutely flawless as is her acting. I can't believe I am saying this, but I thought she was even better than Renee Elise Goldsberry. 

Lexi Lawson was fine, but I definitely agree that she one of the weaker links in the otherwise outstanding cast. Her voice is just kind of thin, and she lacks the elegance and heartbreak that Phillipa Soo brought to the role. 

The rest of the cast and the ensemble were all on point and super high energy. It was so great to see this show a second time. I really do think this a show that warrants repeat visits as there is just so much to this show. I would definitely still say that Hamilton is the best show on Broadway right now.

[SDV]

Posted: 10/28/17 at 4:03pm

Rainah said: "mmmm, I found he didn't have a lot of chemistry with Javi. In addition to the rumours of them not getting along... I would have loved to see him against a different Ham, Lin or Luwoye or even Jevon. Best Wait For It I've ever seen though"

Is the "he" here SJH? I've wondered about him as he is the only OBC member who left the show with no acknowledgement. Every member of the ensemble got a solo bow at their last performance but him. There was also lots of social media love from the other cast members when anyone left but not for Sydney. He didn't even really announce when he left, just kind of vanished. I loved his James Reynolds and have friends who saw him as Burr and loved him so I've wondered what the story was there.

Also great to hear that Breaker is doing well. Passing Strange is one of my favorite shows of all time and his performance was exceptional. Hope to be able to see his Burr at some point.

Updated On: 10/28/17 at 04:03 PM

[Rainah]

Posted: 10/28/17 at 10:32pm

I don't think it's all that dramatic? As far as I know, he left to do another project (That may or may not be going forward? Who knows)

The disagreement, from what I heard, was over Sydney's use of the F slur. Which, as a gay man, he is entitled to reclaim the same way Javi as a gay man is entitled to be upset/offended by it. But there was a, ah, pointed intragram post about it? Yeah. I also don't think there were very comparable in the first place, just different personalities/outlooks. Both are really nice folks as far as I've heard, but I can see they'd rub each other the wrong way. Any time you have a cast that large, there are some people who get along better than others. 

And I agree, I'm seeing it again in january and I'm glad to know Breaker's been getting great reviews. Esp. because I remember them being a little lukewarm when he started in Chicago

[natashalost]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 1:38pm

Sorry for bringing up an old thread -- just wanted to give my two cents! I saw the show again in the middle of October.

I hated Javier's Hamilton. I was really rooting all week to see his one of his understudies because I don't like him as a person, based on how he treats his fans on Twitter, or his Hamilton, based on audios I had heard. It was bearable but really just lacked everything I liked about Lin's performance. I agree with @RndmAnswrs4RndmQstns that his performance was lackluster.

I frankly didn't like Lexi either. She was pretty funny during the part in Helpless when Hamilton says "Angelica tried to take a bite of me," other than that I wasn't a fan. Her voice has this weird, almost twangy, quality to her voice that I couldn't stand. Absolutely 0 chemistry what-so-ever between her and Javier. 

Daniel Breaker was a terrific Burr. He's definitely the funniest Burr too, compared to Leslie and Brandon. 

I was so happy to see Elizabeth Judd (Schuyler sister standby) as Angelica. Absolutely terrific performance on her part. Her voice is stunning and her "Satisfied" left me in tears.

I didn't have any complaints about James Monroe Iglehart. He was no Daveed, but he did a fine job. Significantly better than Seth Stewart, he was horrific.

I thought Anthony Lee Medina was a great Laurens/Philip. Very similar to Anthony Ramos's performance.

Euan Morton was hilarious! Joana A. Jones was fine. Not a standout but she was pretty good! J. Quinton Johnson was great too. 

Additionally, I think Iglehart, Johnson, and Medina had great chemistry. 

Thought I would add -- I saw Antuan Magic Ramone (hope I'm spelling that right!) as Charles Lee. Absolutely AMAZING! He really acted and made the most of a small part! Bravo!

I'll be doing the cancellation line and lottery a bunch in January/February because I'm hoping to catch Michael Luwoye and any other understudies I can see! I'll update if anyone wants me to.

[Br0adway]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 5:41pm

Messytheatregirl said: "I'm just extremely disappointed and mad at myself for spending so much money to be so underwhelmed."

Kind of agree with this. I wish I would have saw the OBC when I had the chance and when tickets were $200 for rear mezz. 

We saw the matinee Saturday (1/13). It was good but I wouldn’t pay the $200 plus fees again to see it on Broadway. We had JMI who I love from Aladdin so he was great (yes slight bias lol). We had Jevon as Ham and honestly it wasn’t until the second act where he came alive. When he let down the hair, he turned into Ham. It was weird. Maybe that’s the point in the show for him where he feels like he feels most like Ham? Idk. Schuyler sisters were huge disappointment. We had Lexi and Mandy and they just didn’t live up to Pippa and  REG. Lexi’s Burn was really good though and you could tell the three of them were having a lot of fun. We had Joanna Jones as Peggy and she was having  a blast! 

The saving parts for me were King George. We had Euan Morton and he was great. Had us laughing so hard especially when he’s dancing on on the set and around the stage in act 2. 

Maybe I didn’t enjoy it because 1. our train was one of the trains that had power shut off becasuse of the fire near Penn Station and we were stranded at Newark Airport (in the freezing cold, fun times). Or 2. Because I have a bad sinus infection and got little to no sleep the night before. Maybe I’ll try to get tickets in Philly when it comes to town and try again.