Theater review: ‘Hamilton’ at the Majestic Theatre

hamiltoncast
‘Hamilton’ is now playing at the Majestic Theatre through Sunday May 26. Photo: Joan Marcus, used with permission. 

The Tony Award®- winning musical ‘Hamilton’ opened at the Majestic Theatre on Tuesday and will run until Sunday May 26. Showtimes are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2p.m. and 8p.m. Tickets start at $75.50 and are available by Ticketmaster online, by calling (800) 982-2787 or by visiting the Majestic Box Office. There will also be a lottery for forty (40) $10 seats for all performances. ‘Hamilton’ is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, ‘Hamilton’ is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

‘Hamilton’ tells Alexander Hamilton’s story through major events in his life and American history with characters including Marquis De Lafayette, Aaron Burr, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, Angelica Schuyler, and former presidents George Washington, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. It begins with the company’s retelling of Hamilton’s (Joseph Morales) childhood as an orphan on the island of Nevis “Alexander Hamilton.” In 1776 he meets Aaron Burr (Nik Walker) and other men with similar revolutionary ideas and they get together to compare notes “The Story of Tonight.” King George (Jon Patrick Walker) enters the story and mockingly sings about his definitive authority over the colonies “You’ll Be Back.” Hamilton marries Eliza Schuyler (Erin Clemons) “Helpless” and gets involved in the war effort as Washington’s aide-de-camp. Due to his endorsement of Thomas Jefferson (Kyle Scatliffe) in the presidential election of 1800, Burr challenges Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton is fatally shot and Burr laments that even though he survived, he will live with the curse of being known as the man who killed Hamilton “The World Was Wide Enough.” It all ends as Eliza sings about Hamilton’s legacy “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.”

The hype that is ‘Hamilton’ finally hit San Antonio last week as even those who do not usually attend a live theater performance packed the Majestic Theatre. Behind all the glitz, glamour and lights is the poignant story of what is possible when people work together for a common goal. The ethnically diverse cast is significant, but not as important of the underlying message of the relevance of the role immigrants played in the founding of this country. Joseph Morales is outstanding as Hamilton and he works well with Erin Clemons to make history come alive onstage. Because the score features everything from hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway, there is something for everyone and there is at least one song that will speak to the individual heart. Highlights include the comic relief courtesy of King George’s hilarious rantings and Thomas Jefferson’s “What’d I Miss” at the beginning of Act Two. The revolving stage is impressive and the costumes are gorgeous. Overall, ‘Hamilton’ is a modern take on history and offers a much-needed reminder of what it truly means to be an American. With universal themes of family, honor and self-determination, it is a must-see production and definitely worthy of the hype.