When the lights dimmed and shifted to Aaron Burr, the opening lyrics rang out. The audience was tense, and the spotlight quickly shifted to John Adams, where he recited his line, “The ten-dollar Founding Father without a father.” From that moment, it was clear that this performance of Hamilton in Boston’s Citizens Opera House on Wednesday, Oct. 22, was going to be amazing.
Hamilton will be performed in the Boston Citizens Opera House from Sept. 23 to Nov. 2. I had the opportunity to attend the Oct. 22 show. For the Boston show, the touring company features actor Tyler Faulteroy as Alexander Hamilton and actor Jimmie Jeter as Aaron Burr, as well as other notable company actors.
Written by American songwriter and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton tells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton. Miranda showcases the story through a modern musical that mixes hip-hop and rap with musical theater. The style of Hamilton’s storytelling felt distinctly different from other musicals, like Hadestown or RENT, by blending hip-hop and R&B.
Fauntleroy played Hamilton really well. From his powerful words in “My Shot” to the pain of “It’s Quiet Uptown,” Fauntleroy made his character stand out. His way of portraying Hamilton showed Hamilton not only as an ambitious revolutionary, but a man consumed with the need to leave a legacy, never being satisfied.
Jeter’s portrayal of Burr, the antagonist of the story, was the moving counterpoint throughout the show. Jeter’s quiet intensity in “Wait for It” turned the theater into a still space, where you could feel Burr’s hesitation and longing. While reciting the line “Death doesn’t discriminate between the sinners and the saints” in “Wait for It” Jeter came through with lots of emotion in his voice. Jeter took on a unique interpretation of the character, with Burr coming across acting very sassy and quick witted.
Actor Lauren Mariasoosay brought a soft yet powerful presence portraying the character Eliza. Her way of singing the lyrics in “Burn,” “You built me palaces out of paragraphs,” felt heartbreaking. Actor Marja Harmon, who played the character Angelica, made Angelica’s intelligence and longing for love very vivid, explaining to the audience that the story isn’t just about revolution, but about hearts, choices and the cost of having a legacy. Christian Magby, who played both Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, added energy and wit to both characters. His entrance in “What’d I Miss” electrified the stage with a captivating melody. Actor Matt Bittner’s King George stole the show in his short appearances, with his songs “You’ll be back” and “Message from the king” showcasing amusing jokes. Overall, Bittner’s character was very funny and well rounded.
The production’s lighting design stood out. Along with illuminating the stage, the lights helped narrate the story, giving meaning and new perspective to each song. During “The Room Where It Happens,” warm gold light swept the stage, symbolizing a power shift. In “Wait for It,” Burr stood alone under a spotlight, shadows all around, making the loneliness of his position palpable. Every lighting change felt both meaningful and captivating.
Another aspect that stood out to me during the performance was the score. Every rap, sung note and instrument was perfectly balanced, allowing the audience to hear the full emotional depth of the show without ever feeling overwhelmed. The clarity in Hamilton’s rapid fire lyrics, Burr’s intense verses,and the ensemble’s harmonies was incredible. Watching their tech team flawlessly control the sound for a show of this scale was truly impressive. Hearing every word, beat and musical nuance come through perfectly, added layers to the performance, making it even more powerful and immersive for the audience and myself.
By the finale, “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story,” the audience was on its feet. The cast stood in a golden glow, with a silhouette lighting effect. The music faded until only the hush remained, and the audience broke into thunderous applause.
This production of Hamilton is a reminder that theater and the musical arts still matter in a rapidly changing world. And I have to say, it’s clear why this musical has had such a lasting impact. Hamilton himself pronounces in the show: “Legacy. What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.”
Overall, I rate the musical a 9.5/10. If you get the chance to see Hamilton while it’s in Boston, don’t wait for it. Go.
