Ever since the musical Hamilton opened on Broadway in 2015 , it has been a massive hit. According to this article , Hamilton made over 1 billion dollars globally, and that was only as of 2020, when the article was published. That number is likely much higher now. Hamilton’s success comes as no surprise. The musical is a great way to learn about history as it is much more historically accurate than many other popular productions and is simultaneously well-crafted and entertaining. This means it can appeal to a wider audience, drawing in fans of musicals, history, and general entertainment alike. Soon after the onset of Covid-19, the cast even starred in a recorded version that fans can stream on Disney+. However, even though Hamilton enthusiasts can view Hamilton behind a screen whenever their hearts desire, it can never compare to seeing the show live.
This past Saturday night, one lucky group of sixty students and faculty were granted the opportunity to see the production live at the Nederlander Theater in Chicago. The Honors program was able to obtain tickets for this semester's cultural outing. It is not a surprise that every single ticket was claimed as people immediately jumped at the chance to see this world-famous musical. At 4:00 p.m., attendees loaded into an Andrews University coach bus. A couple of hours later, they arrived in Chicago with enough time to grab food and explore the nearby area for a while. Finally, as the clock neared 7:30 p.m., central time, the staff and students headed to the theater to find their seats. The line to enter stretched along the sidewalk and wound around the corner of the building. The evidence was clear; this Broadway in Chicago show was very popular. Attendees entered the theater and were directed to their seats in the grand Nederlander theater. The space was filled with the sound of excited chatter. Then, as the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the room, and the audience turned their attention to the stage. The typical announcement instructing the audience not to take pictures was presented on behalf of the King (King George is a character featured in the play), and then the opening score, “Alexander Hamilton,” began. It did not disappoint. The first song was met with much enthusiasm as the crowd hooted, cheered, and applauded loudly at its close. The crowd continued to respond to the performance with similar energy and enthusiasm at the end of each song. Finally, after roughly an hour and thirty minutes, the lights brightened for the 15-minute intermission, bringing with it the chance to discuss the performance with friends or wait in the notoriously long restroom lines. Then, the play began again as the audience watched the beginning of the end for Hamilton. The last half of the performance evoked a whirlwind of emotions as the audience watched Hamilton lose his son and make unwise decisions that ultimately contribute to his demise. The production concluded with Eliza Hamilton and the cast performing “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story?” which presents the question of who preserves your story when you are gone and explains how Eliza documented her husband’s legacy. The performance ended with a standing ovation from the audience.
Although “Hamilton” was not performed by the original cast, it was still an incredible opportunity to watch this world-renowned work of art in person. Andrews Students who attended were pleased to have the opportunity to do so. In describing their Hamilton experience, many expressed positive feelings. When describing her experience, Chrissy Stowell (graduate, school psychology) says, “Although this wasn’t my first time watching Hamilton, there is a unique experience in watching a performance live. I connected to both friends and strangers in singing the songs and discussing the storyline. It truly was a night to remember.” Addy Rodriguez (sophomore, medical laboratory sciences) also explains a similar sentiment, “Hamilton was one of my favorite experiences organized by the Honors community; I really enjoyed the play, and [it] was such a fun moment.” Similarly, Ralph Gifford (junior, math) explains, “It was [a] good [experience].” The atmosphere when students arrived back on campus was one of joy and satisfaction, even despite the late hour. It is not every day that students have the opportunity to enjoy famous performances in person, and the trip was worth it to live the dream of fans around the world and see Hamilton.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.