Hamilton Reviews

Davis from Auburn, AL

TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY

The play was phenomenal. The cast, their voices, flare, and interpretation are truly awe inspiring. I laughed harder than I have in months, I cried throughout multiple songs, and was truly moved during certain scenes. The cast of characters played so well off each other that I truly will cherish this event. No offense to the Broadway production, but I wish they'd release a Chicago version of the soundrack because I miss the depth, tenor, and sound of the cast which moved me from a night on Broadway to a life changing moment.

Irene from Chicago, Illinois

ENJOYABLE IN EVERY WAY!

After hearing SO much about this show I wasn't left disappointed - Hamilton was enjoyable in every way! The costumes and dancing are great but my favourite bit is def the songs... I got goosebumps when they played 'Wait For It'! Why travel all the way to Broadway when you can see it right here with an outstanding cast. Five stars!

Rory from Chicago, Illinois

A TOTALLY DIFFERENT AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE SHOW

A totally different and thoroughly enjoyable show that comes very highly recommended by critics, the number of Tony Awards and now myself! I got the chance to see this great show the night after Trump shocked America and won the elections to be the 45th president of the USA. In case you didn't know it's a hip-hop-r&b-urban take on the story of one of America's founders Alexander Hamilton (who was around for the 1st and 2nd presidents of the USA). I found the hip- hop quite a refreshing change to the usual musicals. The set design is quite simple (but effective) with very little to no change throughout the show. I was impressed with clever use of the turntable stage. Overall the production was, to me, well rehearsed and sharp. Aaron Burr was particularly brilliant that evening. We were spoilt seat wise... being in the front stalls with an excellent view. I suggest trying to have a pre-show drink in the amazing Palmer House Hilton lobby - it's only a stones throw away!

Noah Fence from Narnia

IN WHICH I ANSWER THE QUESTIONS PROMPTED BY THIS WEBSITE

If you want to have a nice night in Chicago, see Hamilton! I was pleased with my seats in the theatre! I do not have a child so I don't know if I would take them to see Hamilton. I did find a great restaraunt.

Elizabeth from Chicago, Illinois

AMAZING!!

Amazing musical about an amazing man who doesn't get the credit he deserves!! This is a musical I could go see again and again!

Lisa from Erie, Pa

EVERYTHING I IMAGINED BUT MORE. (CHICAGO)

I know the soundtrack. I have it memorized. It invades my day, my evenings, my mornings. So I knew what to expect by the way of music. But the set, the choreography and the emotions were beyond my expectations. It was funny. Chris Lee as Lafayette and Jefferson brought the house to laughter multiple times. Ari Afsar brought us to tears (sobs in one case) at the end. There was an audible collective audience gasp at her finish. Last April was my birthday gift. This April is my daughter's birthday gift.

Luke from Chicago, Illinois

HAMILTON IS ENJOYABLE AND AMUSING!

The enormously successful ‘Hamilton’ has taken the theatre world by storm for its innovative use of R&B and rap to retell the story, of the less-than-well-known life of Alexander Hamilton, the Half French, Half British founding father of America. Set in the 18th Century it tracks the trials and tribulations of Alexander Hamilton as he sets out on George Washington’s staff to wrestle control of the 13 colonies, from Britain, to create the independent nation. Deep in politics, the rap breaks out into full MC’ing and large b-boy dance routines lavish many scenes. The story unravels in a light- hearted contemporary style and unsurprisingly there is also a love theme pleated into the story. Hamilton is an enjoyable and amusing way of retelling a story, that utilises the culture, style and arts of our time. Think, Moulin Rouge / Les Miserable, meets an easy-going Eight Mile.

Carl Davidson from Chicago, Illinois

A BLACK KING?

Yesterday’s performance had a Black king. That seems an odd choice. The white goofy king is among the most consistent and powerful commentaries in the show. When we laugh at the white idiot king, we’re laughing at — and acknowledging — a much bigger thing, whether we know it out first or not. To take away that contrast, to eliminate that message, is absurd. Also missing from yesterday’s performance was the line about immigrants getting it done. A dropped line? Or more sanitizing? The vocal performances sound just a little less edgy, a little more “big dance musical.” I sure hope this isn’t “suburbanizing“ the show so that WASPyvgrandparents come see it.

RichL from Chicago, Illinois

JUST OKAY

The performers were good, the subject matter okay. I was surprised by the amount of rap music. The theater was uncomfortable, too warm and difficult to get out of

Elle Killeen from Chicago, Illinois

CAST GREAT… SQUEAKY SHOES… WTF?!

I have never seen a show where the dancers wore shoes that squeaked. It was distracting. This is no fault of the excellent performers. This is a total fail that rests on the shoulders of the director and costume designer.

Dana from Chicago, Illinois

NOT FAN OF THIS CAST

If you saw the original cast, this one simply doesn’t have it. I was left disappointed, not for the lack of trying on cast’s and my part. This was the first Hamilton (I’ve seen total 6 times) where I didn’t want to do a standing ovation. Eh.

Crissy from Chicago, Illinois

NOT IF YOU SAW THE ORIGINAL CHICAGO CAST

I saw Hamilton in Chicago twice before the pandemic but was unpleasantly surprised by this new cast. I wanted to love the experience since it was an anniversary gift but I couldn't. Some of musical numbers sounded off key and the dancers were robotic. Maybe the cast's chemistry will grow with each performance. I wouldn't recommend this to someone that has seen the original Chicago cast. As for the theater, it is a work of art. The reliefs on the wall and ceiling were stunning. Staff was very friendly and helpful. I look forward to seeing another performance there.

Sean from Chicago, Illinois

WALKED OUT AT INTERMISSION

Intelligible dialect and writing. Poor and cheap costumes and sets. Singing off key. Went so far on the woke scale they missed the point...which is to entertain. What a waste.

B from Chicago, Illinois

WHO LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all about theater, I love Hamilton, I think it’s very well written and there’s so much to say and do with this show. But all of that can be easily thrown away when you have a cast that seeks laughs and gags over the story telling and singing. Over and over again the cast did some sort of “hip thrusting” motion at random times to seek a laugh. At one point you had ensemble members doing “goofy” motions on the side. It completely took away from important parts of the show. As well as casting people that were not fit to take on these rolls. I am not at all trying to bring down the cast because I’m sure in other rolls and in other shows, they would excel. But how do you direct this show and see the choices they make like “running away like sonic”(Philip) or switching octaves in the middle of sentences EVEN words??? (Burr) How do you direct this and say, yup you can do that in the show. I was sad when I left the theater and I can’t believe I was watching this show in Chicago :(

Allen from Chicago, Illinois

HO HUM

Never been more disappointed after spending $500 for two seats. Boring, low budget production.

Mike Tyms from Chicago, Illinois

WILL NEVER RATE GOOD FOR LIPS SINGING

The show was terrible. Actors (I can’t call them singers) were forgetting to open mouths, one guy “song” with the voice of the other actor, were taking breaths during actual singing a note. Most singing was happening with a back to the audience. I left during the pause. If I wasn’t blocked by other people I would leave 15mins after the start. The first half of the first part I was looking for some mismatching in their lips. The second half I was tracking tricks how to fool people: keeping mouth open before singing; keeping semi-opened mouth for 5-10 seconds if an actor forgot doing it on time; turning head to the side, standing with back to the audience; turning light after the beginning of singing; “unpredictable” actors singing that stand completely in different parts of the stage… there were a lot of tricks used to HIDE lip’s singing. I regret mostly time I lost at this show.

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