SEA Wave reviews “Hamilton”, the acclaimed musical created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. It is currently being staged at The Theater at Solaire in Pasay, Philippines until November 26, 2023.
What is left to say about Hamilton that has not yet been already said? Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical about the life of American founding father Alexander Hamilton has been universally loved for its energetic take on presenting a pivotal period in U.S. history. It is historical musical theater mixed with contemporary music, making its complex narration easy to follow for audiences, especially the younger crowd.
If you’re still not convinced to watch the musical, SEA Wave is here with High Five reasons why securing tickets to the show should be your next priority.
The Music
The music of Hamilton is undoubtedly modern – it is informative for people who may not be familiar with US history while being concise and to the point, making for catchy lines that are easy to sing along to. Miranda has always noted how Alexander’s life has been synonymous with the origin stories of known hip-hop rappers, which makes the merging of Broadway musicals with the rap genre a great blend.
Even without the context of the entire musical, each song stands perfectly well on its own: “My Shot” is an anthem about stepping up from the ranks; “Dear Theodosia” is a parent’s love letter to their child; “It’s Quiet Uptown” is a powerful ode to regrets and new beginnings. If you haven’t heard any of these songs yet, then witnessing them for the first time will be a sure treat.
The Cast
View this post on Instagram
If you were in doubt about the quality of performances in this adaptation of Hamilton, this is the best reassurance we can give you: the Manila production of Hamilton boasts an impressive cast that includes Jason Arrow as Alexander Hamilton, Rachelle Ann Go as Eliza Hamilton, DeAundre’ Woods as Aaron Burr, and Darnell Abraham as George Washington. Everyone brought their A-game here, with each cast member having their shining moment throughout the show.
Iconic Stage Design
Photo from David Korins Design
Of course, the iconic Hamilton set design is recreated for its Manila show – complete with the equally memorable rotating turntable on the stage floor. The production was great and truly, the stage comes alive when other aspects of the show (lighting, props, costume) come together.
The Live Experience
Photo from the London production of Hamilton
If you’ve only seen Hamilton through the filmed Broadway show on Disney+, you’re missing 40% of what makes it unique. It’s amazing how they created an inter-country war in “Yorktown” and everyone from the ensemble all at once for “Non-Stop” on the live stage.
You can also feel the intensity and the energy of live performances, the groove and feel of one grand musical number after another, the sheer scale of the production and the way they were able to exercise their creativity within the limits of the stage. One can’t help but wonder how they pulled it off.
Limited Run
Photo from Joan Marcus
The biggest reason to watch Hamilton live is that it may take a while before the show returns to this part of the world. The creators of the musical prohibited any recreation of the show without their creative guidance and consent, which helps maintain the musical’s high quality, but on the flipside limits its theater runs. This being the premiere of the musical in Asia after 8 years goes to show just how long it took to get here, and who knows when it will return.
Hamilton will run in the Philippines until November 26, 2023. The next stop for the musical is on January 2024 in Dubai. So don’t wait until it’s gone and get your tickets while it’s here!
Have you seen Hamilton? Share your review in the comments section below!
For more pop culture and Southeast Asian stories, visit seawavemag.com.