A Lovely Parting Gift from 2017

[jesse_the_k]

Seeing Hamilton in Chicago last Friday was great. I've been listening to the original cast album for 819 days, and I love it. I didn't imagine that the staging and performance is just as wonderful, inventive, and energetic as the music. I was riveted for three hours.

I knew I’d cry — I hadn’t expected I laugh this hard.

The Chicago company is outstanding: I had some concern that it wouldn’t match the magic of the ORCA. Totally unfounded.

The sightlines from the accessible seats are perfect: exactly center stage. The theater is not drafty and not hot, at least on a warm-for-Chicago 35F afternoon.

Comments

[killing_rose]

Oooo! can I pick your brain on how CIBC is set up and Hamilton itself? I have to go off of theater guides, which while I've found a decent one specifically for CIBC Hamilton, are no match for experience. (Secondary job involves selling tickets.)

[jesse_the_k]

Sure. I didn't tour the whole theater, but I'm happy to attempt to answer any questions!

(I was quite startled: there's a war scene with super loud explosions/lights -- no smoke, but I levitated a bit.)

[cosmolinguist]

Oh I'm so glad. I get to see it in London next year. I can't wait.

Just you wait!

[jesse_the_k]

...it will be wonderful, I'm confident. Does close-up seating make a difference for you in terms of appreciating the show?

Re: Just you wait!

[cosmolinguist]

Yes, but I won't get it with this. Which is fair enough as I didn't buy the ticket, the friend I'm going with did.

[chanter1944]

Oh please, please clue me in! Did Wayne Brady as Aaron Burr (is he still Burr in Chicago? ohmygosh) knock it out of the park the way I imagine he must have done? And Washington! How does Chicago's Washington compare to the original? *Does* Chicago's Washington compare to the original?

[jesse_the_k]

Nope, missed Brady, and I lost my Playbill on the way out, so I can't tell you who it was who did an excellent job of being Burr. He wasn't as pretty as Leslie Odom Jr (few people are) but he was a good actor and a fine singer.

Truly, all the performers were stellar. Yes, Chicago's Washington did compare: I don't know if it's part of the casting call, but he towered over Miguel Cervantes' Hamilton (and M.C. can sing a whole lot better than L.M.M, but that's not saying much).

My biggest surprise was how quickly the time flew by.

[hurry_sundown]

I'm too busy being pleased for you to even be envious (much). *g*

[jesse_the_k]

So kind!

[anankastic_conditional]

Hooray! My mom saw it there not too long ago and I was soooo jealous. Glad it lived up to your hopes!

[jesse_the_k]

Yep, one of the few things on my "bucket list," achieved.

[boxofdelights]

I'm so glad you got to see it! My daughter saw it in Chicago also, but I have not yet.

[jesse_the_k]

I so hope you can!

[wild_irises]

I saw it in San Francisco in April, thanks to a very generous friend. Unlike you, I had kept myself away from the score so I could see it fresh. Now I'm in love with the score as well as the show.

So glad you got to see it!

[jesse_the_k]

<3