Hamilton On Stage Proves the Power of In-Person Theatre Experiences

If the devil is in the details, he is having one hell of a time with the touring cast of Hamilton at the Wharton Center in East Lansing. From a grimace when Burr describes his nemesis Hamilton to King George’s bringing even more hilarious whining to royal presence, each character seemed to find a moment or two to make the role their own. The cast managed to infuse a bit of newness into a show that has been viewed more than 3 million times on Disney+ and previously graced the Wharton Center stage. 

“After watching it on Disney+, I felt like I could hear everything better and was able to follow the story better tonight,” said Denise Dell’Acqua-Jaska. “The transitions, lighting and movement was just so much more impactful when you’re viewing the whole set.”

Each movement on stage is made with purpose and for a reason, something this cast executed with perfection. Watching the cast interact with each other and the set reminds the viewer of a well-oiled machine. Although I have experienced the show live several times, I left feeling entertained and in awe of how effectively theatre can tell a story, even one about a man who lived more than two hundred years ago.

Pierre Jean Gonzalez played the title role with determination and self-assured stubbornness. This Hamilton knows he is capable of making an impact. There is little wavering or desperation in his choices. If the plans fail, it will not be due to his lack of effort. He is the spokesperson for those trendy decor pieces that encourage us to “live in the moment” and “Wake up - Hustle - Repeat.”  Gonzalez allows the tragedy and baggage of Hamilton’s past to weigh heavily on his current choices and this gives the audience a chance to sympathize with brazen and often brash character. 

With two revolves in the stage, moving staircases and lighting that was choreographed and executed with precision, the technical aspects alone make it worth a trip to the Wharton Center. The lighting and sound scape are used effectively in this production. Sometimes the absence of sound makes for amazing moments and knowing when to employ this technique is the mark of a talented design team. The technical pieces truly work in harmony with all the other elements to create a beautiful and meaningful show.

For those who are hesitant to spend money on tickets when the pro-shot is easily accessed via streaming, I can only say this:  the experience of live, quality theatre offers so much more than a flat screen. Allow yourself the chance to laugh at King George’s antics by Neil Haskell, thrill at the tongue tying lyrics eloquently executed by Warren Egypt Franklin, marvel at the vocal strength of Julia Estrada or be amazed at the emotional performance of Marcus Choi. You will not regret it - I bet a ten dollar founding father on it. 

Hamilton runs now through April 10. More information can be found at whartoncenter.com.

This review was written by Amy Jo Brown