Would Europe and Australia really care for Hamilton — Page 2

Yep. And really the brunt of the 'America, **** yeah' stuff is done by the time Yorktown is over. The music, choreography and lighting of that scene gave me chills even if I didn't feel patriotic to a country I'm not from. But I can connect to Eliza's pain when Hamilton cheats, I can connect to their grief over the loss of Philip, I can connect to Angelica's unrequited love, I can connect to Burr's reluctance to speak out. None of these things rely on the audience being American so that they can identify with and be moved by them.

As your friend in Canada, I've never heard of Hamilton, Burr, Mulligan, etc. before Lin Manuel Miranda sing the opening number at the White House (back in 2009). But as a history lover, I take it as a great opportunity to learn about american history. There are many people who like to learn about other countries's culture or history. It is why historical movie are popular worldwide.

The bigger obstacle might be the language. I don't think that a translation could be possible without loosing quality. And Hamilton is not a musical that you can enjoy without understand the lyrics. So I can see Hamilton being successful in english speaking countries. Maybe a world tour can be successful too. Then, the show can stop for a few days/weeks in place where a long run production cannot succeed.

Updated On: 4/7/16 at 02:07 PM

Also us Brits take an interest in world politics, history etc, it seems it's more America that suffers with not learning or understanding much about the rest of the world, I don't mean that to sound bad but it's just what I've observed.

Well I wasn't suggesting that I or anyone else would be expected to have an extensive knowledge of Hamilton's life, but to never have heard of him before the musical? That's absurd. I would expect Americans to know the basic facts of first Secretary of the Treasury, died in a duel, etc.

In English-speaking countries, yes for sure it will do well. Non-musical theatre lovers who are into rap and R&B know it and like it, which they find unusual themselves. The show in the US has its own dedicated fan base, for sure, but its PR/social media machine and countless celebrity endorsement isn't "just organic". There's clearly a lot of thought, effort and expertise put into this to give it a reputation. This can be duplicated abroad. Book of Mormon is doing very well in London and Australia, and although people will contribute its fame and cross-over interest to South Park, I actually think it is starting to become less of that at that point, and simply famous and a must-see because it's ridiculously funny and crude. I think Hamilton has even a much bigger cross-over appeal than BOM given how its style is completely fresh and appealing to a non-Broadway palette.

In non-English speaking countries, I think it could still work especially in Paris, despite it being a graveyard for Broadway "type" musicals. They tend to do their own versions that are more like stadium concert presentations rather than a typical Broadway musical we are familiar with. However, rap is very big in France, and I think considering the diversity casting, it could work very well in a city that is ethnically diverse, where a show like this with a statement on diversity could ring loud. Cast a black/brown famous rapper to boot and it'll definitely be noticed.

I think Germany and Austria (well, Vienna specifically) might be a bit trickier. They still love their big loud ass ballads there, despite DE/Austria being the second largest musical theatre designations in Europe after London. Netherlands, probably do okay, but it's such a limited market compared to DE/Austria. I don't see why this would be worth their while.

Updated On: 4/7/16 at 03:09 PM

Sounds like your Canadian friend isn't the brightest crayon in the box. Maybe she could google these figures?

Please honey, do you know anything about Canadian history?

I think it's one thing to listen to the CD and try to really make out the plot vs seeing it. The story makes sense just like any other decently put together show with a plot and characters and does not require research prior to arrival. It's a big ol' commercial musical. Not complicated stuff. People will get it.

US has?