‘Hamilton’ and History Still Matter
3 mins read

‘Hamilton’ and History Still Matter

“Hamilton,” that magnificent theatrical juggernaut, is back in Buffalo for a two-week run at Shea’s and it is like it never left. 

Give credit to the tour’s producers. Even at 9-going-on-10-years-old, “Hamilton” holds up. Burr still blusters, Jefferson hasn’t lost a step, and the name “Alex-AND-er HAM-il-ton” still rolls off the Founding Father’s tongue in perfect polysyllabic rhythmic prose. 

Thanks to its hugely popular soundtrack album and the streaming version of the musical on Disney+, along with its two previous visits to Buffalo in 2018 and 2021, the current tour risks suffering by comparison, or complacency.  No worries. Tyler Fauntleroy slides seamlessly into the title role after previously touring as Hamilton’s doomed friend John Laurens and son Philip Hamilton. He brings with him a strong voice, has a lively presence, and plays well opposite Jimmie “JJ” Jeter’s ambitious Aaron Burr. 

While it’s fun to see what a different corps of actors does with the familiar characters, the cast never ventures far from the tightly choreographed gestures, embellishments and double-takes that have elevated the show from its inception. King George III (Justin Matthew Sargent) smirks and pouts and is blue on cue and the Schuyler sisters flirt and fall in love as ever. 

The night I was in Shea’s, the audience was filled with true Ham fans, reacting as soon as various characters made their entrances, laughing in anticipation upon the King’s arrival and, thankfully, not attempting to sing along. 

There were no production glitches at all; the only issue all evening was, for reasons not explained, Shea’s didn’t let the audience into the theater until about 15 minutes before showtime. Lobby areas upstairs and down were jammed as tight as a rush hour subway and it did get uncomfortable.

For a fresh opinion on “Hamilton,” I took along Zoey, who is 15. She knew the music, since her sister used to have the soundtrack on repeat, and she did want to see the show. Later, she admitted, “I thought it might be boring” – (you know, government and all that) – “but I really liked it. Eliza (Lauren Mariasoosay) and Angelica (Maria Harmon) have really good voices, and I liked how there was always something happening. How much of it was true?”

Good question. 

As for me, I had a fresh appreciation for “Hamilton’s” operatic qualities and how they inspired creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. On my first and even second go-rounds with the show, the story was a “history comes alive” experience. This time, I felt like I was watching as the Founders shed their mythologically elevated status and drop back down to earth, imperfectly human. The stupid and unnecessary tragedy of Hamilton and Burr easily could fit into Puccini’s canon, emotionally if not musically. 

There are and will be other great musicals. Still, even 10 years on from its premier, in its historical scope, style and music, “Hamilton” remains a singular sensation. 

“Hamilton” continues its run at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., through Oct. 27, with shows Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $59 to $179, through sheas.org and Ticketmaster.