HAMILTON is the perfect blend of music, storytelling, and stagecraft that has redefined theater. By hitting on themes like ambition, sacrifice, and legacy, HAMILTON not only entertains but also inspires, leaving the audience with an appreciation for the past and the possibilities of the future.
Unless you have been living under a rock, chances are you have heard the buzz about HAMILTON. He’s the ten-dollar founding father whose chaotic and unusual life inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda to create a musical about him. The music heavily draws from hip-hop, rap, R&B, and traditional-styled show tunes, making it an experience that Broadway hasn’t seen before. The show was an instant hit, and the touring productions always draw crowds of all ages excited to witness the sensational show. While HAMILTON came through Sacramento back in 2021, it was clear from the crowded lobby and filled seats that Sacramento has eagerly been awaiting its return.
I was lucky enough to see HAMILTON the first time it came through Sacramento, but I had forgotten how amazing and striking this production is. On top of the music being so different from other musicals, it uses dancing and background work to make the production memorable. The dancing is breathtaking, and every movement reflects the story’s intensity and emotions. A great example of this is during “The Room Where It Happens” where their synchronized movements amplify the tension happening on stage. This attention to small details aids in immersing us in the world of HAMILTON and serves as a reminder of how powerful a talented ensemble is.
Of course, all the actors were stellar in their roles. Each actor gave their own little spin on their characters. I was especially taken with Deon’Te Goodman’s portrayal of Aaron Burr. In productions I have seen, Burr is always calm and collected. Deon’Te was calm, cool, and collected when Burr was interacting with others on stage, but when we hear his inner thoughts, as in “Wait for it” or “The Room Where It Happens,” he gets very emotional. It helps to show the pressure that Burr feels to keep up with his family’s reputation. By the end in numbers like “The World Was Wide Enough,” Burr is at his wits end and I could feel how angry he was. I had never seen this in a Burr before and I thought it was a smart move to make him more relatable to the audience…