Even if you're not a theater person, you've heard about Hamilton. The smash hit broadway musical debuted in 2015 and at an unprecedented rate, it became an international phenomenon. I personally have been obsessed with it since my freshman year roommate played me "Satisfied" while running errands. So when my parents got me tickets to go see the musical, I was beside myself with excitement. I am unashamed to confess that I cried about 7 times out of pure joy of just being there (and It's Quiet Uptown because let's be honest you're heartless if you're not sobbing after that one). So I know what you're all thinking. Is it really as good as they all say? YES. In fact, it's better. I went in knowing every single song by heart, fully prepared to jump on stage just in case one of the actors had an unexpected incident (hey a girl can dream), and yet I came out feeling as if I just heard everything for the first time. The stage! The choreography! The songs! It completely blew me away.
So what were the highlights?
The Chicago Cast:
WOW. These humans can sing. Joshua Henry (Aaron Burr), Chris DeSean Lee (Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Karen Olvio (Angelica Schuyler), Miguel Cervantes (Alexander Hamilton)- these performances swept me. Truly I didn't believe that anyone could ever touch the Original Cast, but this cast proved me absolutely wrong.
Anytime King George Performed:
I promise you'll never laugh so hard as when King George shuffles onto the stage and performs his outlandish and over the top love stories to America. Everytime he opened his mouth, the audience exploded into fits of laughter.
The Schuyler Sisters:
WERK. These babes kill it every single time. Truly each of these individual women are wonderful and inspiring in each of their own separate ways. Despite their place in time, these women made an impact upon history and their place is not forgotten in the musical.
The Cabinet Meetings:
The rap dominated debates between Washington's cabinet members will dominate and hold your attention completely. Did you ever think James Madison would drop the mic out of the "fire" that Jefferson just spouted? Or that Hamilton would attempt to kick Jefferson's ass? I'm almost 100% certain these meetings in real life happened exactly as Hamilton displays them.
Is it cheating to say everything was a highlight? Okay yes it is but really, it's all perfect. So save up, listen to the songs so many times you memorize them in anticipation of the live show or at least a DVD release. It's worth it.
