By Michael Buzzelli
“How does a bastard orphan son of a whore and a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by providence, impoverished, in squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?” The Broadway smash hit, “Hamilton” will tell you using every musical style at its disposal, including hip-hop, jazz, R & B, rap and showtunes.
Alexander Hamilton (Tyler Fauntleroy)’s tale is told…sung…by his frenemy Aaron Burr (Jimmie “JJ” Jeter), the son-of-a-bitch who shot him.
When Lin-Manuel Miranda adapted Ron Chernow’s book, “Alexander Hamilton,” he turned it into a cultural touchstone, launched the playwright into superstardom, and revitalized Broadway. Miranda became…wait for it…legendary!
The story is biographical, following Hamilton as he moves to New York, meets the aforementioned, Burr, his fellow patriots, the Marquis de Lafayette (Jared Howelton), Hercules Mulligan (Kai Thomani Tshikosi), John Laurens (Nathan Haydel), and the wealthy Schuyler sisters, Eliza (Lauren Mariasoosay), Angelica (Marja Harmon), and…Peggy (Lily Soto).
The show is both hilarious and tragic (it’s not a spoiler if its American History). “It’s Quiet Uptown” is a deeply moving song about the death of Philip Hamilton (Nathan Haydel in one of the many dual roles).
Walking into the show, I told my seat mate, “Temper your expectations, it’s not the original cast.” My advice was unfounded. The cast was tremendous.
Fauntleroy is an engaging Alexander Hamilton. He is talented and charismatic.
Jeter’s Burr is riveting, especially when singing to his imagined daughter, Theodosia.
Mariasoosay’s Eliza will break your heart. She is wonderful in the role.
Jared Howelton – as Thomas Jefferson – nails “What’d I Miss?” a delightfully peppy tune wherein Jefferson returns from Paris after the Revolutionary War.
A.D. Weaver’s George Washington commands the stage, much like the original must have commanded the troops. He is confident and dominant, an alpha dog. His number, “One Last Time” is a showstopper! Perhaps, watching a President acknowledge his shortcomings and step aside to let new leaders run the country resonated in a way it hadn’t before.
The cast is superbly directed by Thomas Kail with amazing choreography from Andy Blankenbuehler.
If you haven’t seen “Hamilton” by now, and you needed one more nudge before jumping on the Broadway bandwagon, it is this critic’s fondest hope that this review will get your butt to the theater.
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“Hamilton” plays through September 29 at the Benedum Center, 237 Seventh Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.
