We went to see Hamilton with friends at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu a couple of weeks ago.
Although they said people should be mindful of COVID infections, we saw that only 1/3 of the people attending the evening show were masked. The couple next to Art and the couple behind us were unmasked and this guy was screaming his appreciation LOUDLY after each number until I made a show of putting my hands over my ears. I guess I'm an old fogey so I'm thinking enthusiastic applause is the way to show that you think the the performers did a great job.
We'd been looking forward to seeing the show since we'd heard about all the accolades it has received. So many of our friends on the mainland had seen it (more than once). My daughter has seen it twice along with our granddaughter and son-in-law. She was happy we were going to see it and asked if we wanted to know the plot beforehand. I said no because really... we already knew Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. And we knew he was one of the Founding Fathers of the U.S. and the first Secretary of the Treasury.
Unfortunately, I don't know if it was just the acoustics or the fact that the performers were rapping so fast and not enunciating as clearly, but I couldn't understand 2/3 of what was being sung/rapped. I thought it was just me but our whole party had difficulty understanding the lyrics. We used the intermission to check the synopsis on our cellphones before the 2nd Act which helped.
We still enjoyed the evening and the cast did a get standing ovation, but just one before everyone filed out.
The next morning, my daughter sent us YouTubes of Lin-Manuel Miranda and the original cast doing a couple of the songs. And oh my gosh! What a difference! I could make out the lyrics!
Tiffany told me even the elementary school kids were singing some of the Hamilton songs. Tif and family could not understand why we had such difficulty.
Ah well... we still enjoyed being out to see musical theater. It's been a long time. It was fun.
And uuummmm... the production was more than just about the duel. Hamilton was an incredible American founding father and I can see why he is on our $10 bill.
Admittedly I deeply dislike musicals, so I'm passing on this one.
ReplyDeleteBefore I saw Hamilton, I printed out the synopsis (from Wikipedia) and read it carefully. The description was very thorough, so I was able to watch it and understand all that was going on. I love going to the theater; but if I'm not familiar with the story line, I get so much more out of it if I research it first. I have Aida and Come From Away on my calendar for this winter.
ReplyDeleteCarole
I watched it on Disney+ with closed caption. Being able to read what was said made all the difference.
DeleteI have problems following the lyrics on much music such as when we watch The Voice.
ReplyDeleteIt sounded like a fun outing Kay, though I'm sorry for the lunkhead who had to yell their approval. The image of you with your hands on your ears made me chuckle, but I'm sure it wasn't very funny at the time!
ReplyDeleteI've seen it three times, once in person and twice on Disney+ which I signed up for a month just to see Hamilton. Like you, the satellite troupe I saw perform it was hard to understand at times. But having read the same book as Manuel based it upon, I generally knew what was happening along with the refrains which were repeated enough that I could understand them. But the original cast taping on Disney+ is a world of difference towards the clearer. I also have the soundtrack to the original score and I've listened to it enough times that I almost know it by heart in places. Marquette is still a little fast at times though for me to get every word.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I would pay the same price to see it all over again tomorrow if I could. I love attending musicals and Hamilton is in my top three if not the crème de la crème. I think it was a work of genius.
Two bummers. The guy yelling and not being able to understand the lyrics. Think I would have definitely been with you on the latter as I can't understand most rap. Just listened to the clip and didn't understand a word. Boy do I feel old.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't catch the words in the clip either. But I will watch it on Disney. Have heard a lot about it, but have never seen it.
ReplyDeleteI have been to three live performances in Tulsa over the years. The first two were wonderful but then I wanted to hear (I forget his name now..it's been so long ago) "The Boss" is all I remember. The audience screamed at the top of their lungs all during the music and I couldn't hear a word! I was furious because I had driven 70 miles to attend that concert and I couldn't hear any of it. Nothing but the screaming audience. I swore...never again!
ReplyDeleteI am not Anonymous. This is Margie from Margie's Musings. I don't know why I wasn't identified. That is aggravating!
DeleteLin Floyd says well I have no interest in attending Hamilton...lol!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Hamilton, but my ear is not attuned to that kind of singing, and I really struggled. My daughter told me what they were saying in the beginning. By the end of it, I was beginning to catch things on my own. It is an unfamiliar medium to those of us of a certain age, to be sure.
ReplyDeleteThe book was very good but I haven't seen the musical, not being a fan of them in general. What a jerk, yelling like that! No manners at all.
ReplyDeleteGlad you sort of enjoyed
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the problem is where you were seating. I sat in the middle of the orchestra in row q and heard every word clearly.
ReplyDeleteDavidH
You know what? I was wondering about that. We were on the balcony seats, but toward the center and I did wonder if that played into the acoustics.
DeleteNot sure I would understand it either if it's all rap music. (Even with my ear devices, I still need people to normally instead of speedy.) For the price of tickets, I don't plan on attending to not be able to hear the words. For comparison, I can hear "Old Man River" and other tunes from Showboat, so I don't think it's just me. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteIt's good to get out and see something new. I find things hard to hear if there's an accent or a lot of noise around me.
ReplyDeleteMy 2 daughters will be going with their husbands next week and I am to baby sit their two young ones. Not sure if I can handle that but I do hope it is enjoyable for them.
ReplyDeleteSo glad it's not only me. I watched a PBS special and lost so much interest in 5 minutes! I was and am, what's so great about this. It sounds like rhyming gibberish. Even watching your YouTube, same thing. My older mind is not attuned to the fast talking jive that is rap, which I hate anyway. Glad you enjoyed it, but I prefer the more sedate and understandable musicals. I'll always love, love the Phantom of the Opera. Happy New Years -BB
ReplyDeleteEven with hearing aids I have trouble understanding normal conversation so rap, high speed talking, would be next to impossible. I’m not willing to spend all that money for something that will just frustrate me.
ReplyDeleteIt's me, Linda Reeder
DeleteIt is a shame, that people like to draw attention to themselves, and not the performers! I'm so sorry about your experience. We just don't go to them anymore. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI watched it on Disney and loved it. So many of those songs will never lose their appeal. I didn't want to see it to begin with, because I am not a fan of rap music, but this was so much more! Happy holidays to you and yours, Kay.
ReplyDeleteI saw the original cast on Disney+
ReplyDeleteI would be putting my hands over my ears too. I have seen it but only via streaming. So sweet of your daughter to send you the YouTube performance. Happy New Year to you all Kay!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen it.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased that you sort of enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy these last few days of December and my good wishes for a Happy New Year.
All the best Jan
On Broadway you can understand. These road companies seem to just race through everything as if they're reciting. But I'm delighted you had a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteWell, a good time...
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