I’ve watched Hamilton three times (quite an accomplishment for someone who doesn’t really watch musicals) – once on Broadway, once on Disney+ (this still counts, ok), and in the recent 2024 Singapore run. And even though it’s a different cast each time – I’m happy to say that the recent experience was just as amazing as when I first watched it, sans some noisy audience members.
Hamilton (aka Hamilton: The Musical) is a biographical musical that is sung and rapped with mainly hip hop tunes. It is a dramatic retelling of Alexander Hamilton, one of the pioneers of the USA. It is noteworthy for casting non-white actors in the roles of historical figures that were generally acknowledged to be white.
Having watched it thrice – I’m dividing this review into two parts. The first part reviews the commonalities across all three performances I’ve watched – the story, characterisation, and music. The second part covers the performances of the different runs I’ve watched. I mean, Hamilton is divided into two Acts, so why not pay homage to that in my review, right?
Act One: Story, Characterisation, Music
Hamilton is relatable
For someone who lived so long ago, in a different culture, with different life circumstances – his motivations are surprisingly relatable. As the lyrics go, there are “a million things [he hasn’t] done”, he’s always “writing like he’s running out of time”, and he refuses to “throw away [his] shot” at all opportunities that come his way. And most importantly – other characters condemn him as someone will never be “satisfied”. That yearning for more, that burning hunger to do more, that desire for things to be better – aren’t these the qualities that we all have, deep down inside? It speaks so directly to anyone who has passion, and that’s something that resonates deeply.
Plot is grounded in character
The universal appeal of this story finds its footing in its characterisation of different characters. That’s why even though it’s a story about a topic that isn’t of the greatest relevance or interest to me (the founding of the USA), it’s drawn me in with how it showed the humanity of the people involved in such a mammoth undertaking. There’s the grizzled mentor (George Washington), the sweet and longsuffering wife (Eliza Schuyler), the insufferable taunt (Thomas Jefferson), and so on. Yes, I understand that there’s dramatic license taken to depict the historical figures this way, but if anything – it made me read up a little more on the founding of the USA.
Variety and execution of different music styles
I’m not the most musical person around, and for this aspect of the musical to be apparent even to me – that really says something. Besides hip hop, the musical numbers also employ R&B, pop, and soul – as well as songs in more traditional musical styles (which, again, even I can tell). If anything, this heightened my regard for Lin-Manuel Miranda, that he showed such mastery in diverse musical styles.
Character leitmotifs are surprisingly distinctive and recognisable
I was quite blown away by how the leitfmotifs were so recognisable, especially when they’re all employed brilliantly in the songs in Act Two. I think it’s hard to create memorable leitmotifs within the span of a musical, which is exactly what Hamilton does. And for it to all come together in the last few songs, heightens the dramatic conflict on the level of the score.
Dialogue can be hard to decipher at times
Going to be honest here – I can’t make out what they’re saying at times. Watching it on Disney+ helps a lot, because there are subtitles – although the downside is that you lose the raw, live element of theatre. Conversely, watching it in a theatre heightens the intensity of the emotions felt, with the caveat that you might not be able to comprehend every single word said. Given the number of raps and fast songs, it’s understandable though.
Act Two: Different Runs
Here, I’ll write about the different runs I’ve watched, and what stood out for me.
Director: Thomas Kail
Writer: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Music and Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Cast:
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (Alexander Hamilton)
- Phillipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton)
- Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr)
- Renée Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler)
- Christopher Jackson (George Washington)
- Daveed Diggs (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson)
- Okieriete Onaodowan (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison)
- Anthony Ramos (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton)
- Jasmine Cephas Jones (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds)
- Jonathan Groff (King George III)
Phillipa Soo’s Eliza Hamilton is a match for Hamilton
While Eliza Hamilton is presented as the subservient, dutiful wife of Hamilton, Phillipa Soo manages to imbue with her with a certain edge that I haven’t seen in other performances. She truly feels like his equal and a couple who are deserving of each other’s affections – so much so that her accomplishments sound authentic when they rattle it off at the end of the musical . I can completely see Eliza Hamilton as a character who’d be accomplished in her own right, absent Hamilton.
Jonathan Groff’s salivating, mad King George is unforgettable
Much has been said about Jonathan Groff’s salivating King George, but honestly, I feel it adds so much to the deluded ruler’s characterisation. Having seen similar salivating in power hungry old men when they’re denied of what they want, I can confirm that this is absolutely in character – and enhances King George’s role as an antagonist.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Alexander Hamilton feels overshadowed by his cast mates
With such an impressive cast, it feels like Lin-Manuel Miranda struggles to stand out as Alexander Hamilton. That’s not to knock his performance or anything – just that it’d be hard to top such a stellar cast. But as a protagonist (and not an Everyman), Hamilton feels like the equal, rather superior, of the characters around him. It’s a happy problem to have though – that your cast mates are so brilliant that it’s be hard to top them.
Director: Thomas Kail
Writer: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Music and Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Cast:
- Jason Arrow (Alexander Hamilton)
- Rachelle Ann Go (Eliza Hamilton)
- DeAundre’ Woods (Aaron Burr)
- Akina Edmonds (Angelica Schuyler)
- Darnell Abraham (George Washington)
- David Park (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson)
- Shaka Bagadu Cook (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison)
- Jacob Guzman (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton)
- Elandrah Eramiha (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds)
- Brent Hill (King George)
David Park is a Thomas Jefferson you’d love to hate
David Park’s performance as Thomas Jefferson was absolutely delightful. He brings a naughty energy to the taunts, going so far as to even physically differentiate his performance as a deviously mocking Thomas Jefferson in his depiction of the character. Given this was also the first performance I’ve seen with an East Asian in the role of Thomas Jefferson, it heightened the performance for me and brought a refreshing novelty when compared to the other runs.
Akina Edmonds has amazing stage presence as Angelica Schuyler
Akina Edmonds is absolutely magnificent in her role as the colourful but devoted sister Angelica Schuyler. She’s just so majestic on stage, and her vocals are incredibly powerful – to the extent that I’d say she steals the show every time she’s on stage. I can understand why she wouldn’t be right for the role of Eliza Schuyler, given that she would far outshadow anyone that plays Angelica Schuyler (which wouldn’t server the story). Nevertheless, I secretly wonder how it’d be like if she had taken on the role of Eliza Schuyler instead.
The costumes don’t flatter Alexander Hamilton
This has to be said – the costumes don’t fit Jason Arrow, who plays Alexander Hamilton. I’m not sure why – they’re impressive and detailed in every other way, and they fit each character well. It was quite disconcerting to see that the costumes didn’t flatter Jason Arrow’s build – making it hard to take the performance seriously at times. A more fitting, tailored approach to his outfits would have made a huge difference to the show.
If it’s your first time watching Hamilton – I recommend the Disney+ version, simply because you get subtitles, which helps greatly with the appreciation of the show. Then, experience the visceral emotions that come with a live performance in the Singapore run.
Hamilton is available on Disney+.
Hamilton also runs in Singapore until 9 June 2024.
This is an original article on marcusgohmarcusgoh.com.
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