Back In the Room Where It Happens

Hamilton

Can anyone recall a Broadway musical that’s had as significant a cultural impact as HAMILTON? Who would’ve thought that a musical telling the story of one of America’s most important, but little understood, founding fathers would become an international phenomenon? And other than Broadway musical aficionados, was anyone else familiar with the name Lin Manuel Miranda before this musical took Broadway by storm? But now, ten years later, HAMILTON has not only been seen and adored by millions of avid theatergoers, it’s achieved what many thought was impossible: the show has brought scores of young people into theaters who had never set foot there before. And now, for only a few weeks in early Spring, HAMILTON is back in “The Room Where It Happens.”

Why? Well, it’s almost a no-brainer. Multitalented composer, lyricist, book writer and actor, Lin Manuel Miranda, has had a pulse on the youth of America for years. His Broadway debut was his musical, IN THE HEIGHTS. The show celebrated the music, community and culture of the Hispanic and Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights, in Upper Manhattan. More importantly, that musical put Manuel’s name into every theatergoer’s conscience, especially since it also starred this gifted and talented Renaissance man. The show, which was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, won accolades for Manuel’s infectious score, as well as for the Best Musical of 2008. But with its fusion of hip-hop, salsa, merengue and soul, the musical especially appealed to younger audiences, which was a significant achievement.

Then, in 2015, Lin Manuel Miranda did it again! HAMILTON, his groundbreaking, historical musical phenomenon, opened on the Great White Way, following the show’s critical acclaim Off-Broadway. Since that moment, the musical has become unstoppable. Thanks to HAMILTON breaking all attendance records, the positive critical and word-of-mouth praise, as well as the release of the show’s original cast album—not to mention its eleven Tony Award wins and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Manuel’s musical became well known internationally. Every teenager in the country and most adults are familiar with the show, sometimes knowing every single lyric from the musical. Manuel’s sung-and-rapped-through score tapped into the musical tastes of America’s youth. It hit home with its hip-hop, R&B, pop, soul and traditional style show tunes, and continues to be popular with young people around the world. 

The success of HAMILTON was particularly surprising considering the show’s subject matter. It’s essentially an historical drama with songs. Manuel happened to pick up Ron Chernow’s 2004 biography of Alexander Hamilton in an airport and began reading it. Miranda instantly became inspired by the author’s story of an orphan and an immigrant who came to the Colonies in the 1700’s and worked his way up the ladder of success. Keep in mind that this was during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history. It sparked the idea for a song, then an entire musical, similar to the hip hop style of his Broadway hit, IN THE HEIGHTS. Little did Miranda realize at the time what a universal blockbuster this new show would become.

This cast is led with confidence, capability and astounding talent by Tyler Fauntleroy. He beautifully portrays a determined man, an immigrant of intelligence and filled with drive. As with his cast mates, this actor’s sincere likability, combined with a talent for wrapping his lips around so many words, especially given the tempo and speed of the rap songs, propels him to star status. Tyler creates an honest, flesh-and-blood man who claims he’s not going to throw away “My Shot” to reach success. Tyler impresses with songs like “Alexander Hamilton,” “Hurricane,” “Your Obedient Servant” and “The Quiet Uptown.” But this talented actor is matched, note-for-note and scene-for-scene, by another gifted actor/singer, Jimmie “JJ” Jeter, in the role of antagonist, Aaron Burr. This character is the person who “history will remember as man who killed Alexander Hamilton,” Burr muses. Upon their initial introduction, the two men become both friends and rivals. Throughout the play, their chemistry and dynamics ebb and flow, along with the turbulent events of history. Jeter sails through songs like “The Room Where It Happens” and “The World Was Wide Enough.”

Affluent, attractive and astute, “The Schuyler Sisters” are perfectly portrayed by Marja Harmon as Angelica, Lily Soto as Peggy/Maria Reynolds, and the lovely Lauren Mariasoosay as Eliza, who would eventually become the future Mrs. Alexander Hamilton. Lauren’s duets “Satisfied” and “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” are beautiful, but nothing comes close to her heartfelt, eleventh hour solo, “Burn.” It’s one of the most beautiful scenes in the play. 

Matt Bittner, enjoyed on Broadway and in the National Tour of COMPANY, is simply magnificent and hilarious as King George III. His delightful solos include “You’ll Be Back,” “What Comes Next?” and “I Know Him.” Mr. A.D. Weaver is powerful as General and President George Washington. Eddie Ortega is smooth and sophisticated as James Madison, and as well as  humorous and humane in the role of aggressive Hercules Mulligan. Christian Magby is funny, verbose and agile as both the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, and super talented Nathan Haydel is earnest and touching while ably portraying both John Laurens and Philip Hamilton, Alexander’s young son.

This new National Tour is mostly sung-through with very little spoken dialogue. Like the original cast, it features a company as diverse as the many musical styles of the show. Visually, it boasts a rough-hewn, multilevel scenic design by David Korins, gorgeous period costumes by Paul Tazewell and exquisite hair and wigs designed by Charles G. LaPointe. Every detail in the show bespeaks the Federalist Period, without becoming a slave to detail. The show’s perfect sound design is the creation of Nevin Steinberg, and the often moody, sometimes warm, lighting design by Howell Binkley alternates between candlelight with the fireworks of war.

 The musical direction is the work of Emmanuel Schvartzman, with melodic supervision and orchestrations courtesy of Alex Lacamoire, with Mr. Schvartzman and Austin Deadman co-conducting the brilliant, rich-sounding pit orchestra. Broadway’s gifted, three-time Tony winning choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler once again makes this HAMILTON soar with sharp precision and the athletic beauty of the original production. And Tony Award-accoladed Broadway director Thomas Kail (HAMILTON, IN THE HEIGHTS, SWEENEY TODD), returns to energetically stage and guide this touring production with the same precision and soulful guidance he generated at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre.

Backed by an ensemble of gifted, athletic dancer/singers, Thomas Kail’s new National Tour of HAMILTON is crisp, classy and artistically clever. Most of all, while educational, this musical is extremely entertaining. HAMILTON bridges every generation with its brilliance, its intricate rhythms and rhymes, as well as its stunning, energetic choreography. This new National Tour brings Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway production back to the Windy City once again and elevates it even higher. There’s not a sour note, nor a misguided step, in this exciting, energized musical. Each performance is a star-making turn and brings history to life in this very human story of an immigrant with hopes, dreams and lofty ambitions. By the end of this production, audiences will Rise Up after spending a couple of hours with Alexander Hamilton and his peers, all enthusiastically received back in “The Room Where It Happens.”

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 4-April 26 by Broadway in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling the Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.