Hamilton: An American Musical in Nashville
This was written in 2020 before COVID so some things may have changed. Also choreography in the show has been updated to reflect some social issues.
Ladies and gentleman! The moment you’ve been waiting for! The pride of Lin-Manuel Miranda – HAMILTON! IN NASHVILLE!
If you know me or follow me on social media you’ll know that my obsession with Hamilton: An American Musical runs deep. Hamilton, to me, is a brilliant, well-written modern musical both lyrically and musically and it is stunning to see. The choreography is intense, the vocal harmonies are haunting and beautiful and, thanks to the internet, you can also very easily visualize the show when listening to the original cast recording from start to finish.
You can read more about why I love this musical and some tidbits I love after the questions. I hope this gives you an idea of what’s in store for you if you haven’t seen it, and if you have already seen it maybe I’ll be able to provide new perspective and a few more things to look forward to when you see it again!
Here are questions I’ve been asked about the show as well as a few more I frequently asked ones. Please click here to submit a question if yours hasn’t been answered!
+ I got tickets!!! HOLY SHIT I GOT TICKETS. What do I do now?
Sit back and enjoy the cast recording. Then download the instrumentals and enjoy that. Listen to The Hamilcast podcast! Read the Hamiltome!
OR... HOT TAKE:
DON'T listen. We are about a month and a half out from the show and if you haven't heard it yet just don't and go in completely blind and be prepared to have your mind blown.
You can also follow me on Instagram and we can talk about all things Hamilton.
+ I didn't get tickets. Does that mean I’ll never ever see it?
Have you downloaded the Hamilton App? They have a lottery everyday during the run of the show. If you get it, you get two tickets at $10 each but be prepared to go see it at the drop of a hat. You can play the lottery everyday.
Now, I don't know for sure how Broadway works but I think Hamilton is a damn good show and it'll likely be around for a while. You could splurge and make a nice trip out of going to New York or San Francisco or Chicago (do this before Jan 5th 2020!) to see it but I think there's a good chance it'll come back around to Nashville again.
If you want to see it on Broadway you can "join the revolution" on their website and get notifications when they release tickets on Broadway. The show is also in San Francisco so if you can, maybe plan a trip out there to see it! That cast is the And Peggy cast which began their run in Puerto Rico. Their Burr is played by Donald Webber who played Burr on Broadway and according to folks who have seen him he's awesome.
So if you miss it here and are dying to see it, there are other ways! The tours are already making their second rounds with dates announced for Atlanta and cities close to us.
+ I listen to the recording a lot and know all the words and love the original cast. Will I still love the cast on this tour or any other tour/show??
Yes you will. Look, as much as we all love Daveed Diggs and LMM and Pippa Soo on the recording, they’ve all moved on to other great things, and they will always be the OG cast members but trust me when I say that the show you see will be the show you love.
BUT, do yourself a favor and watch the performance not expecting every single actor to sound like the voices you've heard. The words are the same, the passion is the same and the show is the show (as The Hamilcast's Gillian Pensavale likes to say and I agree). I’ve been lucky to have seen it once on Broadway and a couple of times in Chicago and each show has been new and different in wonderful ways. Every cast member is given the opportunity to put their own spin on their role without taking away from the show. It’s fantastic.
DO NOT expect the current cast members to be/look/sing exactly the same way as what you’re used to hearing (that’s not good theater and it’s also boring if all they’re doing is copying) and just trust that they have been held to and live up to the high expectations and standards to have been given these roles. Their audition process is grueling and only the best, right fits are picked.
+ I’ve never listened to the recording. Should I start now before I see the show?
There are times I wish I could see the show completely fresh and new to it. I remember being so awed the first time I ever listened to it and can only imagine being fifty times more overcome by the emotions I felt if I watched the performance without knowing what to expect.
The last time I saw Hamilton was with a girlfriend who went in with a blank slate and she LOVED it. She did tell me that it was a lot to take in and that she was going to have to listen to the recording after which she did and she loved it even more.
So my answer is:If you do listen to it, it won’t take away from the show. And if you didn’t listen at all, you will love it from a different perspective and you’ll want to then start listening to it after because the recording takes on a whole new life after you’ve seen it.
+ How long is the show?
Three hours, give or take a few minutes with a 15-ish minute intermission. You want to be in your seat before the "turn your cell phones off" announcement comes on.
If you have to go to the bathroom be ready to jump out of your seat as soon as Non Stop ends and the curtains fall because you want to be back before Act 2 begins - it's a cold open, there's no entr'acte.
+ Is it going to be the original Broadway cast?
It’s not because they're on Broadway. We are getting the Philip Tour comprised of some CRAZY talented actors. They're a tight crew and from the various sound checks they've posted on Instagram I'm already excited by how fantastic they sound. A couple of current Phillip Tour actors and swings were swings and on Broadway prior to this tour.
+ I'm going! What should I look out for? Where do I look?
The set has a few parts to it - there's the overhang/balcony/upstairs/upper level, I thnk they call it the surround, where there's also some action and the actors also sing/dance from that perch. Most of the action happens in the center of the stage (obviously) on the turntable - there's two of them actually - but I highly recommend look at ALL of it. So don't focus on just one particular section for too long.
Look around, look around as it were.
There's a lot going on, so instead of honing in on just one cast member the whole time, keep your eyesight "wide" so to speak and try to see everything or as much of the scenes are you can. Watch the swings/dancers. There's six men and women, each plays a different track/role like Alexander's mother to the bullet (you'll know what I mean) to Sally Hemings.
I missed a lot my first time because I kept staring at just Alex or just Angelica. UPDATE: I got a peek at how the stage is set up here at TPAC and alas, we will not be seeing an emsemble member climb out via the hole the conductor usually is in at the bottom of the stage. Also at the opening of Act 2, keep your eye on the conductor. Something fun is about to happen.
+ CAN I SING ALONG WITH THE SHOW? I JUST LOVE THIS MUSICAL SO MUCH.
No and also yes. KEEP READING!
Look, I get it: I want to belt out the songs too. BUT PLEASE DON'T. It's theater etiquette, we all paid a lot of money to hear the actors sing, and not you and no one cares how great you are. Also, please refrain from saying "France" because not everyone has heard the recording and just think about how you would feel if someone else ruined it for you. It's not a concert, it's the theater and it's rude as hell when someone is belting along with the show where there's no audience participation. Mouth along if you must, bop a bit in your seat, but please please do your best not to sing out loud! If I can do it you can too.
BUT!!!! HERE'S WHEN YOU CAN SING
Permission has been granted by Lin-Manuel Miranda and some cast members who say it is a-ok to sing along:
- During My Shot - the "whoa whoa whoa" part after Laurens says "EVERYBODY SING."
- When King George III says, "EVERYBODY" during You'll Be Back - we are allowed to sing along to the "da da da"s.
That is IT.
+What else should I know/do?
Feel free to cheer and clap at these parts:
When Alex comes out during Alexander Hamilton and says his name.
When Alex and Lafayette say "Immigrants, we get the job done." during Yorktown.
During Cabinet Battle 1 when they're hyping the crowd up - get hyped up too.
+ What are your favorite parts of the show?
Where do I begin? Going from Helpless to Satisfied was PHENOMENAL - you'll never hear the word "rewind" the same way again. Room Where It Happens is exhilerating to watch. The choreography is beautiful and complements the music and lyrics perfectly. Hell, the entire show is that way but Room is breathtaking.
Non-Stop is a personal favorite, Dear Theodosia slays me and my waterworks pretty much don't stop till the end of the show, and then I'm crying because it's over.
Schuyler Sisters ALWAYS makes me so happy. And One Last Time is just my favorite song so I love that one a lot.
My absolute favorite track to watch? Yorktown. No question.
+ If you’re not a fan of musicals in general is it different enough to spend money on?
Oh man… this is a tough one. The part of me that loves the absolute EFF out of Hamilton says yes, it’s worth a shot (pun intended) because it’s not a typical, belty, ballady show. The set design, costumes, choreography, the story telling – it’s all done so well.
I loved musical growing up, then lost interest for a while and Hamilton has revived my interest.
Give it a listen and see if you like the cadence/style at all. If it annoys you or makes you roll your eyes even a little I say skip it. If I had to take a chance, I’d say go for it because I think you’d enjoy it.
+ My child loves the music but they’re still little and there are some parts that seem pretty raunchy, can they still go?
The track in question definitely sounds a lot more risqué than it is. It plays out tastefully and really isn’t bad but honestly it’s up to you, the parent. I’m hoping to take Theo to see it when he’s old enough to sit through a 3 hour show. Through social media I’ve seen Stage Door video and pictures of kids as young at 6 but it varies from child to child too. You’ll be paying top dollar, so if your kid won’t be able to stay through it, maybe wait for when they can – I have a feeling this show will be around for a while. I do have friends who saw it first and decided their daughter (who has seen it twice since and was 7 the first time) was mature enough to handle it. And she did.
But YOU know your kid. Frankly the part that worries me more is Track 17 in Act 2. That one would be a little harder to explain. Hell even I can’t listen to it and I always skip over it because it makes me sob.
+ I’ve already seen it, why should I go see it again? It’s the same show isn’t it?
Again, each cast member has their own little twist on their role, and each cast has its own collective vibe and chemistry. While it’s generally the same show as far as words and music go, the performances are still unique to that company and those actors and it will be a new show in its own way.
Also if you’ve only seen it once, trust me, you probably missed A LOT the first time. I realized I still missed a lot the third time – there’s so much happening on that stage and in the upper level of the set. So much choreography, little side skits and scenes being acted out in the background. For me it was even better each time I saw it and I can’t wait to see it again and again!
Or, don’t go and let someone else have a chance at tickets ;)
+ What’s this Lottery thing people keep talking about?
Each show gives away a number of lottery tickets each day and you can try your hand at it by downloading the Hamilton app. IF you win, tickets are $10. I don’t know how it’ll work as far as seats go here, but if it’s anything like New York or Chicago you could end up with front row, or the front few rows at least, seats (which isn't always the best POV) and apparently our production at TPAC is giving away 40 tickets. However the rules on the Hamilton App say the tickets could be anywhere in the theater and may be seats with obstructed view. But you know what? A $10 ticket is a $10 and if you get it, do it so DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR SHOT.
Fun fact: A friend who’s won lottery tickets before in New York said she swears the actors play to the lottery winners which would be SO fun. She even got to go home with a Reynolds Pamphlet that had flown off the stage.
+ Why should we listen to you?
You don't have to, but you're here so clearly you're curious! I'm obsessed with this show. Like, fandom level, can't get enough, did the research for you, have tips and honest, from-the-heart advice. Did the musical itself certify me as an authority? No. God, I wish. But I'm sharing this info with you as a fellow fan with an almost insane level of love for this show.
You can take it or leave it, I won't be offended.
+ Are you going to the show?
Did Burr shoot Ham?
Spoiler: he did. And I am.
+ What the hell am I going to do from now till NYE?? It’s so heckin’ far away!
If you’re like me and like to know all the things, I recommend subscribing to and listening to the unofficially official Hamilton podcast, The Hamilcast. There is an episode where the awesome host, G. Pen sits with the Philip Tour’s cast in Vegas so if you wanted to know more about the cast that’s a good one. The Hamilcast is also where I've learned so much about the show and the people involved and I credit Gillian and the podcast for a lot of the information I've provided in this post.
If you’re a music/score nerd like me, get the Hamilton instrumental and listen to that and try to pick out the patterns and layers to the music, and take in the brilliance that is the work of their music director, Alex Lacamoire. Or just get it so you and your friends can Hamil-karaoke. Hamiloke? Karaoham?
Or pick up your copy of the Hamiltome (better known as Hamilton: The Revolution) and deep dive into the show’s lyrics, history and background. Want an even deeper dive? Read the book that started it all, Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton bio.
MY LOVE FOR HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL
Aside from it being a joy to listen to, it’s piqued my curiosity on US history – the revolutionary war, the founding fathers, slavery and abolitionists, the constitution… Hamilton is both entertaining and very educational. If history were taught this way in schools, we’d all be more interested.
What struck me the most is the cast is made up primarily of people of color and that’s huge for someone like me who had short-lived dreams of being in a Broadway musical - I never thought I’d fit into a role in anything that wasn’t Miss Saigon or an extra in The King And I or a musical with puppets.
I was late to the game and only started listening to the Broadway cast recording in January 2016 and I haven’t stopped. I swear my son could hear it in utero and after he was born I sang “Dear Theodosia” to him in lieu of lullabies. I sing it “Dear Theodore” though and he now thinks that’s what the song is called. His other favorites are “Helpless,” “You’ll Be Back” and “Yorktown” (or as he calls it, “Down Down”).
This is a beautifully written musical from its lyrics (and the significance behind each line, the inspirations Lin-Manuel Miranda had from the moment her read Ron Chernow’s book to the last note and word he nailed down with his Cabinet of geniuses, Tommy Kail, Alex Lacamoire and Andy Blankenbeuhler. I’m no musical expert, but I love musicals and Broadway shows thanks to my parents opening my mind to this wonderful world. Hamilton is the first musical to hit me in my heart and in my head. I certainly hope you enjoy it even half as much as I do!
AND… and and… If you have any questions at all about the musical I am happy to answer it if I know the answer or can find the answer for you. Email me or leave it in comments!
Hey… and if y’don’t know, now y’know.
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