First-timers got special buttons when Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical about the Founding Fathers opened back in the Loop Thursday night. It's hard for me to put myself in their place.
. I know it so well now as for it to be hard for me to put myself in the position of one of those button-wearers.because of Miranda’s innate understanding that Broadway musicals are best when they are generous of spirit, honoring the traditions of the form while taking it in new directions. He found a subject who allowed him to write, in essence, about work-life balance, fusing the travails of a brilliant Founding Father with those of an extraordinary young artist .
Has there been any diminishment in what you are getting? Not at all. “Hamilton” has its pick of talent, still, and this cast is excellent: I especially enjoyed Marcus Choi’s take on George Washington and Jared Howelton’s very present Jefferson, but that might well be because they are the most distinct from what I have seen before. I liked how Deon’te Goodman’s edgy Aaron Burr was so underpinned by sadness and thought Pierre Jean Gonzalez was an empathetic Alexander Hamilton.
The theater is different this time around: The Nederlander Theatre is larger and, most notably, wider than the CIBC Theatre and the show sits quite beautifully there, allowing for more people to have excellent seats. I think the sound folks should work more on tuning the house, given the length of this run; it is a tad lyrically muddy early in the show, and this from a guy who already knows every line.
Still, I marvel every time at the quality of Miranda’s composition and of Thomas Kail’s direction and Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography. The oft-unsung hero here is orchestrator and arranger Alex Lacamoire, who created so distinct and thrilling a soundscape, a musical buffet that both satisfies and excites. It takes many hearings, or viewings, to appreciate all the show achieved, musically and thematically. There is a reason a show achieves this level of long-abiding success.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hamilton in Chicago: Broadway musical returns to Windy City for first time in 3 yearsThe hit Broadway musical Hamilton is back in Chicago for the first time in three years at the James M. Nederland Theatre.
Read more »
Broadway sensation 'Hamilton' returns to Chicago, creator Lin-Manuel Miranda talks about legacy'We love Chicago, it really has been the second home for 'Hamilton,'' creator Lin-Manuel Miranda said.
Read more »