MUSIC THEATRE
Book, Music & Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda
At Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, until August 2022 at present
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ****1/2
This review published only on this blog. KH
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| Jason Arrow - Hamilton Australia Cast_credit_Daniel_Boud |
The opening night of Hamilton in Melbourne was electric with anticipation about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s much-awarded and hyped, hip-hop musical that renovates and modernises the history of Alexander Hamilton (Jason Arrow), the least-known founding father of America.
Clutches of the invited crowd whooped, cheered and clapped like seals at the entrance of every character in the first 15 minutes. (Were they fans, or did they want us to know that their mates were on stage?)
Miranda’s music, lyrics and book drag those late 18th century Americans rapping and dancing into the 21st century with an eclectic score that capers about from Hip-Hop to Rhythm and Blues, Jazz and musical theatre styles. It is threaded together by rapid rapping, rhyming dialogue that is sometimes so fast that it defeats the ear. Parts of it, particularly Washington’s rap, are reminiscent of Gilbert and Sullivan patter songs.
The life of Hamilton is intertwined with the birth of a nation as America fights and wins, at great human cost, its War of Independence against England and the befuddled King George III. Of course, all of this history is common knowledge and close to the hearts or minds of Americans, but to us in Oz, it is alien; we lack that emotional connection with the American revolution.
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| Jason Arrow - Hamilton_Australia_credit_Daniel_Boud |
Hamilton
dragged himself up from his ignominious, illegitimate birth and childhood in the
Caribbean, arriving in New York as a penniless immigrant where he became a
lawyer, advanced to become George Washington’s right-hand man during the War, then
reformed banking in his role as Secretary of the Treasury. He died in a duel with
his ‘friend’, Aaron Burr (Lyndon Watts), the newly minted Vice President to Thomas
Jefferson (Victory Ndukwe).
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| Lyndon Watts - Hamilton_Australia_credit_Daniel_Boud |
Although Hamilton was intelligent, politically ambitious, eloquent, driven, stubborn, tenacious and instrumental in building the new federal government, he was not considered a pleasant man. His character traits also contributed to his self-destructive flaws.
Arrow is a sturdy and impassioned Hamilton with vocal power and control, and he leads Hamilton’s song, My Shot with fervour. Watts is a gripping presence and shows his exceptional talent as Burr, particularly performing the Jazz-inflected song, The Room Where It Happens, when Burr enviously watches Hamilton and others crafting the Constitution.
The Cabinet Battle is a cleverly wrought, live mic rap competition between Arrow as Hamilton and Ndukwe as the taunting Jefferson.
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| Brent_Hill_Hamilton_Australia_credit_Daniel Boud |
Hamilton has an outstandingly talented and versatile cast that delivers with alacrity this complex musical and its compelling characters, rhythms, rhymes and choreography.
Melbourne is back on form with musicals hitting the stage post-Covid, and Hamilton is the show to see.
by Kate Herbert
Cast
Jason Arrow – Hamilton
Lindon Watts – Aaron Burr
Chloé Zuel– Eliza Hamilton (played by Tigist Strode on opening night)
Akina Edmonds – Angelica Schuyler
Matu Ngaropo – George Washington
Victory Ndukwe – Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson
Shaka Cook – Hercules Mulligan/James Madison
Marty Alix – John Laurens/Philip Hamilton
Elandrah Eramiha– Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds
Brent Ashley Hill – King George III
Credits
Lin-Manuel Miranda Book, Music and Lyrics
Thomas Kail Director
Andy Blankenbuehler Choreographer
Alex Lacamoire Music Supervision / Orchestrations
Ron Chernow Author of the book "Alexander Hamilton"
David Korins Scenic Design
Paul Tazewell Costume Design
Howell Binkley Lighting Design
Nevin Steinberg Sound Design
Charles G. Lapointe Hair & Wig Design
Patrick Vassel Associate and Supervising Director
Michael Balderrama Associate Supervising Choreographer
Kurt Crowley Associate Music Supervisor
Rod Lemmond US Associate Scenic Designer
Angela Kahler Associate Costume Designer
Ryan O’Gara Associate Lighting Designer
Jason Crystal Associate Sound Designer
J. Philip Bassett Production Supervisor
Dean Drieberg Resident Director
Brendan Yeates Resident Dance Supervisor
Laura Tipokim Music Director / Conductor
Richard Martin Technical Director
Lauren Wiley Casting Director
Jude Loxley Australian Costume Associate
Hugh Hamilton Australian Associate Lighting Designer
Michael Waters Australian Associate Sound Designer
Kylie Clarke Australian Hair & Wig Associate
Jeffrey Seller Producer
Sander Jacobs Producer
Jill Furman Producer
The Public Theater Producer
Maggie Brohn Executive Producer
Michael Cassel Executive Producer & General Management
Song List
Act I
1. Alexander Hamilton
2. Aaron Burr, Sir
3. My Shot
4. The Story Of Tonight
5. The Schuyler Sisters
6. Farmer Refuted
7. You'll Be Back George III
8. Right Hand Man
9. A Winter's Ball
10. Helpless
11. Satisfied
12. The Story of Tonight (Reprise)
13. Wait For It
14. Stay Alive
15. Ten Duel Commandments
16. Meet Me Inside
17. That Would Be Enough
18. Guns and Ships
19. History Has Its Eyes On You
20. Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)
21. What Comes Next George III
22. Dear Theodosia
23. Non-Stop
Act II
1. What'd I Miss
2. Cabinet Battle #1
3. Take A Break
4. Say No To This
5. The Room Where It Happens
6. Schuyler Defeated
7. Cabinet Battle #2
8. Washington On Your Side
9. One Last Time
10. I Know Him George III
11. The Adams Administration
12. We Know
13. Hurricane
14. The Reynolds Pamphlet George III jeers but no singing
15. Burn
16. Blow Us All Away
17. Stay Alive (Reprise)
18. It's Quiet Uptown
19. Election of 1800
20. Your Obedient Servant
21. Best of Wives and Best of Women
22. The World Was Wide Enough
23. Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story
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