The reviews are right.
Especially at a time when Broadway musicals tend to be revivals, stunt cast driven, or live versions of Disney movies (Coming soon: “Donald Duck vs. Chip & Dale – the musical), it’s refreshing to see something bold and not about Millennial angst.
So for all those reasons I recognize and appreciate HAMILTON as a phenomenal work of art. A thrilling theater-going experience.
I just wished on a visceral level I loved it.
I know what my problem is – I just don’t love hip-hop. And although the lyrics are so amazingly clever, the booming sync beat and the sheer amount of it felt relentless to me. I suppose I could listen to the soundtrack album a hundred times (like I’m sure half this audience had done) but short of that it was hard to hear and process at times. I’m sure there was wonderful stuff I just didn’t catch. And it doesn’t help that the performance I saw was at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, which seats the entire population of Rhode Island AND lower Maine. The acoustics were okay… for an airplane hanger. But a lot of the subtle intricate word twists I know went right by me, which is frustrating. And I’ve found that frustration is not a good emotion to have when enjoying a Broadway musical.
But that’s just me.
Part of this theater-going experience was that the audience treated the show like a rock concert. They cheered and shrieked deliriously throughout the show. That part was fun. You really felt like you were at an “event.” I had never seen that before during a musical. You don’t get that for WAR PAINT or MISS SAIGON.
HAMILTON has received so much praise and hype that it’s hard for any show to live up to those accolades. And I also think it’s reached that level of the stratosphere where people are afraid to admit they didn’t love it for fear of being ridiculed, called an uncultured oaf, or challenged to take ten paces at dawn.
But I’ll come out. I’ll take that bold step. Despite the repercussions I am sure to face, despite the vicious hate mail I will surely receive from trolls, I will admit that I only thought HAMILTON was terrific.
Unlike Aaron Burr, I’m willing to take a stand.
I haven't seen Hamilton, though I expect to in 2018 or 2019 when it comes to Schenectady. But I HAVE heard it 100 times or more. It would have helped you, a lot.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't seen it, and hope to some day.
ReplyDeleteKen, I wonder if you have ever seen a live performance of an opera? I get the impression it might not be your cup of tea. I've seen opera audiences behave the way you describe, and it's great fun.
Concerning your remark about people being afraid to admit they did not like Hamilton, I've seen that online. "No offense, everyone, but I just didn't get it." Or, "It's ok, but didn't live up to the hype." Often the fear is not that they'll be accused of having poor taste, the fear is that they'll be accused of racism. To like Hamilton shows you're "woke." To not like it (or to think Les Miserables was much better) means you're guilty of white privilege, etc.
Ken, Ken, Ken...how dare you say it's only "terrific"! I haven't seen it but society tells me it was the greatest musical ever... ever!! Therefore, it is so.
ReplyDeleteI have to go now because I have to take a knee-- or not-- I'm unsure which way the wind the society wind is blowing on that one.
Ken, I agree with you 100% re HAMILTON. I really dislike "hip-hop." In fact I despise hip-hop. When I first heard a few excerpts of the show when it burst onto the scene, my immediate feelings were you couldn't pay me to spend 5 minutes in a theater seeing this. Glad everyone is having orgasms over this, but I think this is another example of what I call the "lemming-mentality" when it comes to pop culture. Everyone hops on the "this is amazing" bandwagon when it really isn't. And another pet peeve of mine Ken: with all of the great technology out there, why is it I can't hear dialogue or vocals on TV, in a theater, at the movies?
ReplyDeleteIf I can't make out what people are "singing" or speaking, I'll pass. Use the cost of the grossly over-inflated HAMILTON tickets and invest in some more Sinatra CD's or Ella CD's...lean back in my living room easy chair and enjoy. I know I'll hear all of the words!
I haven't seen it and look forward to doing so. But I recall that The Vin, who adores Broadway shows, was asked about it and said that he preferred something he could hum along to. But, since I'm a history professor, I've had great fun showing slides of Thomas Jefferson and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
ReplyDeleteYou're brave. I've been accused more than once of being a racist for stating that I really didn't enjoy HAMILTON as much as others did because I don't like hip-hop. That's all I said, that I really don't like hip-hop and probably would have enjoyed the show a lot more if I did.
ReplyDeleteI have no use for hip hop but I did like Hamilton because almost anything done that well is worth seeing. The lyrics are exceptional and the energy is undeniable. It isn't my favorite musical and I probably won't see it again but it was well worth seeing the first time, it is a terrific show.
ReplyDeleteI predict you will see lots of commenters who have been reluctant to say so.
ReplyDeleteYou will all be punished:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGxe83lXgJg
I didn't think I would like Hamilton because I don't like hip hop, either, but I had friends who loved the recording. I love it too. It's not hip hop all the way through. In the PBS special, Miranda talks about the characters. Lafayette starts out with really simple rhythms and rhymes, then gets better the longer he's in America. Jefferson is in France and misses hip hop becoming popular, so he sings jazz. There are ballads, and lots of humor (and Peggy!).
ReplyDeleteSue in Seattle
I avoided getting a ticket because I too hate the "music." I've seen numerous clips and performances from it on TV shows like Colbert's, and I've hated every bit of the music. (I can't write "every note of music" as it seems to lack for tomes and pitches and is all chanting.) Lin Manuel-Miranda seems a charming, personable and likable guy, but not his music.
ReplyDeleteAnd besides, Gore Vidal left me on Burr's side.
What's the difference between hip-hop and rap (if there is one)?
ReplyDeleteI'm not a hip-hop fan either, but I saw the show in New York and was blown away. While the dialogue is delivered mostly in hip-hop form, the actual songs are catchy, memorable, melodic, and I found the story itself extremely emotional. It's coming to Phoenix in January, and though I'm looking forward to seeing it again, seeing the show from the sixth row of an intimate Broadway theater is much different (and better) than seeing it in a hall that seats roughly five times as many people...
ReplyDeleteI don't like hip-hop either, but I loved the show. The songs themselves were catchy, melodic, and memorable. The story was much more emotional than I expected. The performances were outstanding. It's coming to Phoenix in January, and while I look forward to seeing it again, I'm sure it won't come close to matching the experience of seeing it from the sixth row of the intimate Richard Rodgers Theater in New York.
ReplyDeleteI saw the show in New York in July, and loved it, even though I really don't like hip-hop. The songs themselves were catchy and melodic, the performances were outstanding, and the story was much more emotional than I expected. We were in the sixth row of the very intimate Richard Rodgers Theater, and while I'm planning to see it again when it comes to Phoenix in January, I'm sure seeing it in a room literally four times the size won't help the experience.
ReplyDeleteI don't like hip-hop either, but I loved the show. The songs themselves were catchy, melodic, and memorable. The story was much more emotional than I expected. The performances were outstanding. It's coming to Phoenix in January, and while I look forward to seeing it again, I'm sure it won't come close to matching the experience of seeing it from the sixth row of the intimate Richard Rodgers Theater in New York.
ReplyDeleteHey Ken,
ReplyDeleteI've haven't seen the play yet either but I did get my wife & daughter the CD for Christmas last year. Needless to say it hasn't left the car since. They go nuts for it. The truth is: so do I. I'm a theatre and history fan anyway so it's right up my alley. It's beyond words brilliant. The more you hear it- the better it gets. And I've heard it hundreds of times. My daughter is enthralled with history because of it. She knows dates, battles, names and quotes the constitution endlessly.
I'll bet you're still saying: "And yo, just my country I'm young, scrappy and hungry and I'm not throwing away my shot!"
--LL
I'm looking forward to seeing the show, here in Los Angeles, toward the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little concerned because my NET COST (including parking) for my two tickets is $19. Will that sway my opinion? :]
Ken, Friday Question.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the TV practice of 1/2 hour dramatic shows? Have Gun Will Travel, (many other Westerns), Adam-12, Dragnet, Twilight Zone, etc. etc. I enjoy re-watching these on the available old show channels, but was curious why the 1/2 non-comedy format has died.
Cliff
I saw Hamilton during it's run in San Francisco and had already listened to the album 100 times and loved it. As a middle aged black man who grew up during the early days of hip-hop, it was definitely easier for me to "hear" the show than some of the other folks in the theater.
ReplyDeleteA nice couple a couple of seats down from me who were maybe ten years older (mid-50's) and white struck up a conversation with me during intermission. They admitted they had a really hard time hearing the lyrics because they weren't used to rap, and were worried I would think they were racist for not understanding.
I laughed and admitted that while I heard Hamilton fine, most of what's on the radio currently I can't understand either. I said that it largely was a matter of getting used to hearing music in a certain way and since I have aged out of most currently popular music, I would be as lost as them at a modern hip-hop performance. I also added that I hadn't for a minute assumed that race was an issue in them not understanding it.
So I gave them some clues as to what the various songs were about and the context (sort of a personalized dramaturge) and they seemed to enjoy it much more.
Interestingly enough, when walking out I overheard another couple talking about the fact that they didn't understand the show, but from their comments and the way they put down hip-hop as a whole as a "garbage" musical style, I thought that their comments were very much about race. What really convinced me was that they stopped talking as soon as they noticed I could hear them.
@Jeff Scott: It seems like you are stuck in some kind of Groundhog Day boot loop. Is there a girl that you can be kind to who can rescue you?
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your take on HAMILTON. When I heard that it was opening in Los Angeles I wondered how it would be received when playing in such a large theatre. I bought the cast album because I figured that my twelve year old daughter will probably see the show before I do. I was pleased that the score wasn't entirely hip hop. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a student of the Broadway musical. There are lyrics in HAMILTON that pay homage to such shows as CAMELOT, 1776 and SOUTH PACIFIC. I liked King George's song 'You'll Be Back' and the song 'Dear Theodosia'. My favorite might be 'It's Quiet Uptown'. All three would be at home in shows from the golden age of Broadway. Currently, I am reading the biography on which the musical is based. I am curious to see what he took from it for the show, and what he left out.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for that review, Ken! I have felt so deprived that I haven't seen it, and I still hope to, but I will probably not enjoy it even as much as you did. I'm too old to enjoy hip-hop, especially the way you described it----relentless. However, again because of your review, I know I will not regret it. Because of where I live, seeing a Broadway Musical involves travel, 2 or 3 nights in a big city hotel, plus the ticket, so it's a major investment, and must be carefully considered. Your review helped; I hope I get a chance to see it.
ReplyDeleteThey need subtitles.
ReplyDeleteIf it has hip-hop, include me out.
ReplyDeleteDisliking hip-hop isn't about race it's because it's absolutely dreadful music, in my case I think jazz is horrible as well. It's about the music. In spite of your review I would never see it because of it's music but I'm sure plenty of people would enjoy it. We haven't had it in Australia yet but there is a rumour that it may be coming this year.
ReplyDeleteOne of the nice things about hip-hop is that the lyrics are easier for me to understand. I can almost never make out the lyrics in a musical, except maybe a few words here and there. To me, it's in a foreign language, but I've watched and listened to plenty of stuff in foreign languages and enjoyed it. Since it is easier for me to understand hip-hop, I'm looking forward to seeing Hamilton. It will be an unfamiliar experience being able to make sense of the words in the songs.
ReplyDeleteYes to much of what you've said. I only have the recording to go on (plus what's been seen on award shows and such), but I'll go one step further: I think Lin Manuel-Miranda as a performer is the weakest link in the whole affair. His writing is aces, but why he must be front and center as a performer is a mystery to me. He is charmless. The "Gosh, gee, I know I'm a genius, but I'm really just like you" act is harder and harder to take (see: his hosting of SNL). At least the Tonys got it right and gave the acting award to Leslie Odom (plus it's the better part). He did double-duty for IN THE HEIGHTS as well and falls short there, too. But not in the score department. And Disney has cast him in the MARY POPPINS sequel? I can only hope that it's a small part and won't ruin what could be an exciting film. Wait, Marc Shaiman is doing the score. Too late. Why couldn't Lin have been hired to do the score instead? he really IS a major talent and I believe he could have delivered appropriate and satisfying music.
ReplyDeleteI was going to write a comment, but then I saw that Mr. Hollywood already wrote it for me.
ReplyDeletePut me down in the large contingent of "can't stand hip-hop" posters, although if it's getting today's kids interested in learning history, it must have something going for it. We were in NYC last month and had a chance to catch a couple of Broadway shows. We never even considered "Hamilton." We caught "War Paint," which was terrific (went for the wife, but it turned out to have a better score and book than I expected) and "The Play That Goes Wrong," which isn't a musical but is flat-out hilarious.
Did you know Hamilton was instrumental in creating the Electoral College? Excuse me if I'd rather see a show about Aaron "Bust a Cap" Burr just now.
ReplyDeleteI don't think disliking hip-hop is racist. It's more a generational thing. I know an African American lady with two teens who won't have it in her house. We old folks share a preference for Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye. My parents hated rock and theirs probably couldn't stand Glenn Miller. So it goes.
Ken, I felt exactly the same way -- it's a terrific show that deserved the Tony that year (though I enjoyed "Bright Star" way more). But despite it's accomplishments, I wouldn't put it in the top 10 best things I've ever seen. For those worried about the rap/hip hop element, most of the musical numbers are actually quite traditional musical theatre tunes, and the structure of the show is very traditional. It's what might be book scenes in an older musical that are rapped-through here. And I do get some glares from those enraptured with the show when I say it would have been a stronger, better show with more structured book/dialogue scenes between the numbers rather than being sung/rapped-through. It would also have been harder to write that way . . . but also might have been less appealing to younger, contemporary audiences. There are some thrilling numbers in the show -- don't shy away if you don't like rap, but don't feel bad for just liking it.
ReplyDelete"Jefferson was in France and misses hip-hop becoming popular, so he sings jazz."
ReplyDeleteLet nobody say that American Education is dead, I tell you. I'm sure that concept somehow works on a level that doesn't touch historical verisimilitude or musical common sense.
Sorry, but this show sounds like meretricious dreck. I prefer the idea of "Donald Duck vs. Chip & Dale – the musical," although I think Ken is missing a big hook here. How about:
"Donald Duck vs. The Chippendales -- An Inter-Species Strip-a-thon!"
And I think it would work far better with a hip-hop (or if you want to be slightly less mired in the '90s, Grunge Metal) score.
Should have taken the headphones. They're free and they make all the difference.
ReplyDelete