Review: Believe the Hype - 'Hamilton' is One of the Best Musicals of All Time

CHICAGO, IL — For months, Chicago audiences have been eagerly anticipating their chance to see “Hamilton” and this suburbanite got his chance Wednesday afternoon. Having listened to the soundtrack over and over, I had in my head pictures of how the songs would come to life on stage. Would the actors hit a particular note I love? Would it properly bring to life the energy of the songs? Would it live up the hype? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.

There’s a reason why “Hamilton” is the hottest show in New York and now the hottest show in Chicago. Indeed, fans were wrapping themselves around the block on a rainy Chicago day waiting to get inside. So, what is that reason? Well, it’s everything. The music, actors, scenery, lighting, choreography and even the audience mesh together to create something that transcends what we know as musical theater.

It, obviously, tells the story of Alexander Hamilton and the impact he had on America, but that story of America then is told using people from America now, to quote creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. The stage is not filled with old white men, but people from every race, giving the show a unique and refreshing perspective. Capping off that diversity is some incredible music. There’s not a song in the show that drags and each lyric is a dazzling display of rhyme and rhythm. If you don’t have the soundtrack now, you’re going to be buying it on the way out.

While no one can replace the man who originated the role of Hamilton (Miranda), Miguel Cervantes is the next best thing. He carries the show effortlessly and provides a constant source of energy and pathos. Equaling him, if not surpassing, is Joshua Henry as Aaron Burr. His performance is, and I say this with no sense of hyperbole, mesmerizing. It needs to be seen to be believed. And then there’s Karen Olivo, who plays Angelica Schuyler, sister to Hamilton’s wife Eliza. Though her role is mainly supporting, all eyes are on her whenever she’s on stage. The raw emotion in her performance during the song “Satisfied” will leave you breathless.

In terms of stage design, "Hamilton" has borrowed from "Rent" in that it uses just one set and then fills the stage with various props, mainly chairs and tables. It's a minimalist design that works for the large number of dancers who are almost always filling the stage, moving and grooving to the beats. The choreography is some of the best I've ever seen. A rotating stage also creates a really interesting effect that helps emphasize actors and moments.

Miranda has created magic here, and if you don’t want to take my word for it, I can tell you it was apparent from the audience. The second the show started the audience erupted into applause. The girl sitting next to me silently sang along to nearly every song, and even included a bit of her own choreography. The standing ovation at the end came without a moment’s hesitation. This is a musical people have come to love and will continue to do so for decades.

“Hamilton” is running indefinitely at The PrivateBank Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at broadwayinchicago.com.

Photo by Scott Viau/Patch