Hamilton The Musical Review: Turning the Musical World Upside Down

I am not throwing away my shot! 

This line from Hamilton kept ringing in my head as I watched the story of Alexander Hamilton come alive on stage. Brought to Singapore shores by Base Entertainment, this is one musical that was eagerly anticipated.

From the get-go, you are treated to an audio and visual feast. A medley of songs that takes its cues from the modern era, well-choreographed moves that grab the audience's attention, and actors who take centre stage regardless of their roles, Hamilton is one musical that weaves a blend of Boardway infused seamlessly with rap, hip-hop, pop and jazz.

This musical is based on Hamilton's life; you see his life presented on stage. Even if you have zero knowledge of American History, I guarantee you will have a clear glimpse of this man, one of America's founding fathers and the first U.S. Secretary of Treasury.

In fact, this is more than just a musical; it is a history lesson that introduces the audience to the birth of America, albeit in a less dry and more fun version that defies your typical history textbook. Even if your child hates history in school, Hamilton would change the perception of what history could be and mean. While it may not be historically accurate, it pushes one to read what happened in the past. For any media to make one so inquisitive, it must be intriguing. That's what Hamilton does to the audience.

The Musical

Hamilton International Tour

Act 1 is the buildup of Hamilton's political origins, which accumulated to a glorious victory over England for independence. It's a slow buildup in which you witness Hamilton climbing through the ranks while falling in love, getting married, and eventually becoming George Washington's right-hand man.

Hamilton International Tour

Act 2 continues with the formation of a new nation. The audience was invited to a congressional hearing, where verbal sparring between senators was conducted in a rap battle ala Eminem. Then, it quickly unravels through the passage of time, where Hamilton has a son, an affair, a tragedy, a reconciliation, and eventually an untimely death when Hamilton literally throws away his shot.

Hamilton International Tour

Watching these events unveil at such breakneck speed, coupled with excellent musical scores that mash jazz, rap, hip hop, and Boardway with occasional witty scenes. With the cast immersing themselves in their performance in this up tempo performance, it is hard not to be captivated by this brilliant musical.

Standout performances

Truth be told, there are a lot of standout performances for the evening. The following are what stuck to my mind.

Hamilton - Jason Arrow

Hamilton International Tour

The lead of the show was charismatic and had a solid vocal repertoire that carried the show.

Aaron Burr - DeAundre' Woods
The show 'villain' that provides the narrative ties up the storylines in the musical.

Eliza Hamilton - Rachelle Ann Go

Hamilton International Tour

Her vocal was flawless, and her emotional rendition tears the eye.

George Washington - Darnell Abraham
He is an imposing figure on the stage with his deep bass vocals.

Thomas Jefferson - David Park
An unexpectedly hilarious performance that gives a spark to the musical

Angelica Schuyler- Akina Edmonds

A strong performance for a Schuyler sister who has to give up her interest in Alexander for the greater good.

King George - Brent Hill

Hamilton International Tour

A short but witty performance that tickles the audience. Makes us want to go Da da da dat da.

Where to sit 

Sands Theatre is well known for its open layout, especially in the stalls. We were seated on the right side near the far end of the stall, but our view was great. The view was unblocked as we watched history unfold. Most seats will be fine if you are in a stall seat.

Verdict 

Hamilton has turned the musical world upside down. This is one musical that I would watch on repeat.

For an old geezer who grew up in the age of Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, I truly enjoyed the energy derived from watching Hamilton. If musicals continue in this direction, they will likely attract the younger crowd en masse. The feather on the cap is a multi-national cast that works well despite portraying famous historical figures.  While you can watch the musical on Disney+, nothing beats watching it live on stage to see History come alive.

If Les Miserables is the show for Gen X and Millennials, Hamilton is the poster boy for Gen Z. Of the musicals I have watched, this one throws tradition to dust. Despite its historical roots, it is the most forward-looking musical I have seen, and I have watched plenty of it. The layered musical composition with the refrains works effortlessly despite the varied musical genres, making it one of the best musicals I have seen. The multiple awards, such as The Tony, Grammy, Oliver, and Pulitzer, testify to its popularity.

Hamilton will be showing at Sands Theatre from 19 April to 6 June.

Tickets are available here.