And I did - for 10 months later. I'm fairy certain this was the first time I'd purchased tickets in November for a show in September of the following year. Needless to say - with all the press and amazingness surrounding Hamilton - it was a very long 10 months. I did my very best to resist listening to any of the music - except for the 2-3 songs that were always played on talk shows and award shows. But someone who got to see the show before me, suggested that I listen to it before seeing it because, as she said, I don't have the ear for rap (she's very right about that!) and it's hard to understand exactly what's happening upon first hearing.
I'm so very happy that I listened to her because I've pretty much listened to nothing else for the last 4 months. (This super white girl still hasn't mastered the fine art of rapping along, however that doesn't stop me from trying...) The music was amazing! I know it took Lin Manuel Miranda 6 years to write this masterpiece, but I'm still blown away by his ability to create this show and this music and nail every one of the songs - there's not one that isn't perfect for its moment in the show.
So that brings us to yesterday - THE day that I'd been waiting for. By now everyone has left - there are a few originals - but for the most part the cast looks very different than it did from last year. I've been really worried about that. My Christopher Jackson was still going to be there (Love him!) and Javier Munoz (who BTWs, is very much the sexy Hamilton that everyone says he is : ) was Lin's understudy so I was super excited to see him as well. But would it still hold up without the original cast that I'd fallen in love with via iTunes for the last 4 months?
The short answer to that question - YES, YES, YES!!!
I'm not sure what to say that hasn't been already said, but in those 3 hours I was completely blown away. The cast was unbelievable. The choreography and dancing was completely new and innovative and just plain cool. And the show itself was just downright gorgeous. I don't think I have enough adjectives in my repertoire to explain to you just how good this show is.
About half way through, I realized the fact that the original cast wasn't there anymore, didn't really matter. Don't get me wrong - I would have loved to have seen Lin, and Leslie and Phillippa and Renee and Daveed. But the cast I saw was just remarkable. The producers completely understand the roles and have cast absolutely outstanding artists in place of the original cast and these artists have the same ability to hold the audience in their hands. I think that's why the show will do so well in a touring environment - there are some seriously talented people around, and they will knock'em dead.
My absolute favorite parts:
~ The 2 lazy susans on the stage that allow the actors to rotate around each other. Amazing!
~ Christopher Jackson - I can't help it, I know it's about Hamilton but George Washington is my favorite!
~ Rory O'Malley is killing it as King George. I read that he was amazing in the part, but I couldn't understand how he could be so phemomenal in just 3 songs. I will gladly say that he was. He added so much to those 3 songs and was the absolute perfect comic relief.
~ Yorktown (The World turned Upside Down) - My favorite song and seeing it live gave me goosebumps. I loved that the audience gave the cast the biggest ovation after this one song. The imagery of the World turning Upside Down is beautiful!
As I said on Twitter last night - I'm super sad that it's over, but I'm oh so happy that it happened. And I'm certain, as soon as getting tickets again is humanly possible, I'll be there, first in line at Ticketmaster. Also the touring cast is coming to DC in 2018, so at least there's that...
Thanks Hamilton! You held up and surpassed every single expectation I had!
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