Can you hear the excited screams coming from downtown Seattle? “Hamilton” is back.
The national tour opened Feb. 5 and runs through March 2 at the Paramount Theatre. At this writing (Feb. 9), ticket availability appears decent. If you are flexible with times, dates and seat locations, you’ll have better luck. If you can put together a group of 10 or more, you’ll get a discount. There’s also a ticket lottery, in which a few $10 seats are available for each performance. Here’s the info on that.
Is this a show worth seeing multiple times? It seems the resounding answer from crowds in Seattle is: “YES.”
“Hamilton” is unlike any other musical; it is truly a cultural phenomenon. It has messages about democracy, ambition and decency and of course the overarching (although unspoken) message about diversity.
In my family, at least one person’s week went from miserable to surprisingly positive, despite the cold weather and the sleep-deprivation from being out so late on a school night. Coincidence? I think not!
Here’s what we had to say in the summer of 2022, when some of our staff was also lucky enough to see “Hamilton.” Many of the same observations apply. If you can do it, take your shot!
“Hamilton” is unlike any other musical and, although it has been on Broadway since 2015 and in Seattle once before, enthusiasm for this show is still through the roof.
Between two Seattle’s Child staffers, we were accompanied by, among others, a 10-year-old (almost 11) boy seeing his first “grownup” show, an 18-year-old superfan who could quote (and sing) the entire show and one skeptical spouse who identifies as a nonlover of rap.
Everybody had a great time.
Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has been quoted as describing “Hamilton” as being about “America then, as told by America now,” with the Founding Fathers portrayed by people of color and their story told in hip hop, pop and R&B, as well as traditional show tunes. It’s unusual, and it works.
The songs are largely upbeat, and many of the lyrics go by quickly — as does the plot in general.
‘Hamilton’ with kids: Will they get it?
There are two possible strategies: Try to familiarize yourself beforehand, with the founding of the United States or at least the way it plays out in “Hamilton.” OR, sit back, take it all in and enjoy the spectacle.
Our 10-year-old spectator was wide-eyed and all smiles the whole time. Mom was grateful that the fast pace meant some of the innuendo and expletives went over his head. They did have some interesting discussions on the drive home: “We talked about adultery — what it meant and how it affected the story. We also talked about how the language of the play, especially the curse words, are a part of the play and not an excuse to use it in our everyday lives.”
Overall he got bits and pieces of the story, while thoroughly enjoying himself. His favorite parts were the duels and the King George scenes. His favorite song was “My Shot,” which he nicely explains as, “It’s like you have one chance to make a difference for yourself and your country and that’s what Hamilton was doing.”
King George steals the show as a flamboyant, clueless jilted lover who exits each of his three scenes while singing a scat sequence. The Thomas Jefferson character is also larger than life. Actually, many of the characters are.
The 18-year-old superfan (and her 14-year-old cousin) were totally rapt, thrilled to be seeing in person the show they had seen and listened to countless times. They both wore dresses inspired by the Eliza Hamilton character. They weren’t the only ones dressed like that, and other fans had “Hamilton” shirts, bags and even masks.
The nonlover of rap (who happens to be a lover of history) also gave his approval to this unique production that has become such a cultural icon. In addition, the teenagers enjoyed filling him in on a few subtleties that he had missed.
I think we all felt very fortunate to be able to take it in.
Justin Matthew Sargent brings down the house as King George in “Hamilton.”
‘Hamilton’ with kids: tips and observations
- Get a primer on what you’re about to see by reading “Hamilton,” the Ron Chernow biography that inspired Miranda’s musical. (Just kidding, kind of. At more than 800 pages, this would be a hefty homework assignment. Disney+ subscribers can stream a Broadway production of the musical, though.)
- Need the bathroom? Hike to the Paramount’s top floors (if you’re not already seated there), where it’s less crowded
- Worried about the sleep factor (or late-night driving)? Try a matinee performance. Or listen to the 10-year-old: “The show was worth less sleep!”
Originally published Aug. 5, 2022
