I had extremely high expectations for the evening of March 30th; a date I had been looking forward to ever since I was fortunate enough to score tickets back in January. As a longtime lover of all things musical theatre and certified “theatre kid”, of course I was obsessed with Hamilton. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of musicals, I’d be shocked if you told me you had never heard of this show before or the infamous crazed ticket obtaining process that follows it.
After making its New York debut in 2015, Hamilton has completely changed the theatre game with its modern take on one of the most beloved stories of U.S. history, incredibly witty hip-hop score, and show-stopping choreography. Written by Broadway legend Lin Manuel-Miranda, it has entranced audiences across the country in Chicago, L.A., and now in my hometown of Detroit at the Fisher Theatre.
I can officially say that my high expectations for this performance were met; thanks to an amazing cast, beautiful set, and overall phenomenal production. Due to the fact that I had been listening to the original cast recording on repeat for the past three years, I was concerned that these actors would not compare to those who had come before them. Tony award winners such as Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr, and Daveed Diggs as Lafayette/Jefferson were just a few of the original cast who truly did “amaze and astonish”. I was forced to put my comparisons on hold, as I knew nobody would truly live up to the original cast and I was in for a disappointment if I viewed this production in that way. I can safely say that everyone in the Detroit cast did a great job, but there were a few that went above and beyond my expectations, proving to be just as great as the original cast.
I would first and foremost like to give an incredible round of applause for the young man who played Hamilton; Edred Utomi. He brought something new and fresh to this character, and in no way attempted to copy Miranda’s portrayal. His acting was strong, especially in the song “Hurricane” where he truly convinced audiences of Hamilton’s confidence in his ability to “write himself” out of any situation. Another standout was Charnette Batey in the role of Angelica Schuyler. Batey gave a powerhouse performance, absolutely bringing the roof down with the rather difficult to perform song “Satisfied”. My heart broke for her character, as she displayed a wide range of emotions perfectly from love for Hamilton, to love for her sister, to heartbreak, and finally to accepting the fact that she will never find satisfaction in her life. The final actor in this performance who deserves recognition is definitely Bryson Bruce’s Lafayette/Jefferson. Playing two characters in the same show must be difficult enough; add the record breaking quick verses that he raps in “Guns and Ships”, and you’ve got a recipe for an incredibly hard role to perform. In my opinion, Bruce’s performance was on par with original cast member Daveed Diggs. Not only did he execute his verses flawlessly, but he brought so much fun and hilarity to the character of Thomas Jefferson that I found myself cracking a smile every time he entered the stage.
Hamilton is a musical theatre phenomenon that, much like Alexander himself, will go down in history. Never before has there been a show like this one, and with such rave reviews for the original production, it can be nerve-wracking for another venue and cast to try and re-create it. Fortunately, the cast of Hamilton in Detroit got it right and did the original show justice. They brought an original and modern take to this greatly beloved show that is not only incredibly successful, but an entertaining ride from start to finish. I am so thrilled that I was finally able to be in “The Room Where it Happens”.
My Little Corner 