One Last Time
July 6, 2016 10:40 AM Subscribe
At his final Ham4Ham show (for now – we can always hope), Lin-Manuel reads a 1780 letter from Alexander to Eliza. Miranda leaves Hamilton this weekend. Here's what's next for him.
HAMILTON Ham4Ham with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog 6/29/16
This Saturday is @Lin_Manuel, @leslieodomjr, @Phillipasoo, & @ArianaDeBose’s last day on @HamiltonMusical.
New 'Hamilton' cast members announced as Lin-Manuel Miranda departs
Thank You, Lin-Manuel Miranda: A Letter From A Grateful, Hamilton-Loving Mom
‘Hamilton’: Inside the Insane 100-Hour Wait for a Ticket
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@CIA
In celebration of America: the story of our spy on the inside, that’s right, #Hercules Mulligan! #whotellsyourstory
HAMILTON Ham4Ham with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog 6/29/16
This Saturday is @Lin_Manuel, @leslieodomjr, @Phillipasoo, & @ArianaDeBose’s last day on @HamiltonMusical.
New 'Hamilton' cast members announced as Lin-Manuel Miranda departs
Thank You, Lin-Manuel Miranda: A Letter From A Grateful, Hamilton-Loving Mom
‘Hamilton’: Inside the Insane 100-Hour Wait for a Ticket
User Actions
Following
CIA Verified account
@CIA
In celebration of America: the story of our spy on the inside, that’s right, #Hercules Mulligan! #whotellsyourstory
*Lady rolls down her car window at 181st street*
"congrats on HAMLET!"
Me: "I WISH I wrote Hamlet!"
Lady: "Yay HAMLET!"
*drives away*
LOL
posted by Foci for Analysis at 10:53 AM on July 6, 2016 [7 favorites]
"congrats on HAMLET!"
Me: "I WISH I wrote Hamlet!"
Lady: "Yay HAMLET!"
*drives away*
LOL
posted by Foci for Analysis at 10:53 AM on July 6, 2016 [7 favorites]
oh geez, three big leads leaving? Daaaaang
posted by Theta States at 11:03 AM on July 6, 2016
posted by Theta States at 11:03 AM on July 6, 2016
I had bought my tickets for September before the news of the cast departures. Pretty disheartening, but hoping that the replacement cast will do it justice.
posted by Karaage at 11:05 AM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Karaage at 11:05 AM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Empress, I'm reading Chernow's doorstop of a Hamilton biography, and I'm having a lot of trouble envisioning Hercules Mulligan as anything but as he is in the musical. His tone in primary sources has a much more Irish lilt to it, but I don't care.
BRRAAPPP BRAAAPPP I AM HERCULES MULLIGAN
posted by Sara C. at 11:08 AM on July 6, 2016 [5 favorites]
BRRAAPPP BRAAAPPP I AM HERCULES MULLIGAN
posted by Sara C. at 11:08 AM on July 6, 2016 [5 favorites]
Also I gotta say I don't get why everyone is so worked up about leads leaving the cast. This happens with literally every Broadway show. Basically nobody gets to see whatever popular show with the full original cast. I think I saw four original Broadway casts in twelve years living in New York and seeing a lot of theater.
posted by Sara C. at 11:09 AM on July 6, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by Sara C. at 11:09 AM on July 6, 2016 [8 favorites]
Also I gotta say I don't get why everyone is so worked up about leads leaving the cast.
I think for a lot of people, Hamilton was their introduction to Broadway so they genuinely did not understand that that's just how it works -- the original cast is there for a year and then it leaves. Plus, many of the stars have warm, engaging social media personalities so a lot of people like them and maybe even think of them as friends? The people that I've seen be most vocal/worked up about the original cast members moving on have been very young for the most part.
I love Hamilton and sure, I'd like to have been able to see it with the original cast, but I am old enough and have seen enough theater that I understand any show is about so much more than the specific actors.
(I also really love money and success and I want every Hamilton actor possible to capitalize the shit out of this success and get big, satisfying, money-making roles. I am probably not the average fan in that regard either.)
posted by kate blank at 11:17 AM on July 6, 2016 [17 favorites]
I think for a lot of people, Hamilton was their introduction to Broadway so they genuinely did not understand that that's just how it works -- the original cast is there for a year and then it leaves. Plus, many of the stars have warm, engaging social media personalities so a lot of people like them and maybe even think of them as friends? The people that I've seen be most vocal/worked up about the original cast members moving on have been very young for the most part.
I love Hamilton and sure, I'd like to have been able to see it with the original cast, but I am old enough and have seen enough theater that I understand any show is about so much more than the specific actors.
(I also really love money and success and I want every Hamilton actor possible to capitalize the shit out of this success and get big, satisfying, money-making roles. I am probably not the average fan in that regard either.)
posted by kate blank at 11:17 AM on July 6, 2016 [17 favorites]
I am so very excited to see the Chicago cast because I am absolutely certain the auditions were ridiculously intense and I am so very, very excited to see other awesome people in these roles. Like I can't wait for every little bit that's different than the cast recording I've listened to approximately 500 times.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:22 AM on July 6, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:22 AM on July 6, 2016 [8 favorites]
The people that I've seen be most vocal/worked up about the original cast members moving on have been very young for the most part.
I've mostly seen it with regard to people trying desperately to get tickets in NYC during the next week or so, who are adults, but, yes, new to Broadway culture. It's struck me as especially weird since I've heard a lot of "why should I see it when it comes here next year when it won't have the Real Cast???" Uhhhh because that's how it works, and if you actually cared you'd live in New York and be a member of TDF. Or people willing to spend thousands on OBC tickets when they could see it for under $100 next year on tour.
posted by Sara C. at 11:24 AM on July 6, 2016
I've mostly seen it with regard to people trying desperately to get tickets in NYC during the next week or so, who are adults, but, yes, new to Broadway culture. It's struck me as especially weird since I've heard a lot of "why should I see it when it comes here next year when it won't have the Real Cast???" Uhhhh because that's how it works, and if you actually cared you'd live in New York and be a member of TDF. Or people willing to spend thousands on OBC tickets when they could see it for under $100 next year on tour.
posted by Sara C. at 11:24 AM on July 6, 2016
I saw the original cast twice (Chris Jackson was out on vacation my second time though), so I can attest to the fact that there is definitely hype and energy to an OBC that doesn't exist in replacement casts. (I've been going to Broadway for 31 years, so.) The show will be just as good, though.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:24 AM on July 6, 2016
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:24 AM on July 6, 2016
But it's only when the OBC leaves that we'll get Andre Braugher as Washington!
(This is a vision I had while watching Brooklyn 99, am I wrong in thinking it would be AMAZING?)
posted by kate blank at 11:27 AM on July 6, 2016 [9 favorites]
(This is a vision I had while watching Brooklyn 99, am I wrong in thinking it would be AMAZING?)
posted by kate blank at 11:27 AM on July 6, 2016 [9 favorites]
(Don't get me wrong - my excitement for Chicago's cast doesn't mean I wouldn't have previously done some "light murdering" for a ticket to see the original cast.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:28 AM on July 6, 2016
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:28 AM on July 6, 2016
I love Hamilton and sure, I'd like to have been able to see it with the original cast, but I am old enough and have seen enough theater that I understand any show is about so much more than the specific actors.
We'll get them all in the movie, too!!!
Moooovie~!!!!
movie
posted by Deoridhe at 11:28 AM on July 6, 2016 [22 favorites]
We'll get them all in the movie, too!!!
Moooovie~!!!!
movie
posted by Deoridhe at 11:28 AM on July 6, 2016 [22 favorites]
For whatever it's worth, I saw it a couple of weeks ago with mostly understudies/alternate in the lead roles, and they were uniformly great. Any disappointment I had ebbed quickly. It's a fantastic show on its own inherent merits, separate from the (admittedly wonderful) people originally cast in it.
Honestly, the only unpleasant thing about understudies was that in the first number the audience kept going nuts clapping/cheering whenever an original cast member had their first solo line, and then there were a few sort of scattered claps for the understudies. Sad/weird/distracting. Ideally, maybe don't cheer/clap for intros at all, but if you're going to do it, do it for everyone, folks. Yes, I know, DAVEED, I feel you there, but understudies need love too.
(I'm still laughing at Teen Me for being mad that when she saw Rent in high school, she had to see the Roger understudy. Lo these many years later, yes Adam Pascal is a good dude, but I'm a million times more pleased at having seen Norbert Leo Butz in the role. I just feel kind of sorry for making fun of his name at the time.)
posted by Stacey at 11:29 AM on July 6, 2016 [7 favorites]
Honestly, the only unpleasant thing about understudies was that in the first number the audience kept going nuts clapping/cheering whenever an original cast member had their first solo line, and then there were a few sort of scattered claps for the understudies. Sad/weird/distracting. Ideally, maybe don't cheer/clap for intros at all, but if you're going to do it, do it for everyone, folks. Yes, I know, DAVEED, I feel you there, but understudies need love too.
(I'm still laughing at Teen Me for being mad that when she saw Rent in high school, she had to see the Roger understudy. Lo these many years later, yes Adam Pascal is a good dude, but I'm a million times more pleased at having seen Norbert Leo Butz in the role. I just feel kind of sorry for making fun of his name at the time.)
posted by Stacey at 11:29 AM on July 6, 2016 [7 favorites]
the audience kept going nuts clapping/cheering whenever an original cast member had their first solo line,
Okay, that's awful but I also can't help but be amused at a Broadway show being like a taping of Married With Children.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:34 AM on July 6, 2016 [8 favorites]
Okay, that's awful but I also can't help but be amused at a Broadway show being like a taping of Married With Children.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:34 AM on July 6, 2016 [8 favorites]
Stacey, I also saw Norbert Leo Butz (Pascal had left by then). Zero regrets.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:37 AM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:37 AM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
I saw the original cast and I was most concerned with Leslie's replacement. I mean Lin is Lin but many people say Javier is a better Hamilton anyway but Leslie, to borrow Burr's line, is inimitable and original. Still Brandon Victor Dixon getting cast made me very happy and I think he'll be great.
posted by doublenelson at 11:38 AM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by doublenelson at 11:38 AM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
Honestly, the only unpleasant thing about understudies was that in the first number the audience kept going nuts clapping/cheering whenever an original cast member had their first solo line, and then there were a few sort of scattered claps for the understudies.
Wow, I didn't realize that was extending to all the cast now. When I saw it in November there wasn't any of that at all. Then in May it was definitely there for Lin but nobody else. (I wondered if the Grammy performance influenced that?)
Also, this photo of the opposite side of the street at today's Ham4Ham is bonnnnnnkers.
posted by kmz at 11:44 AM on July 6, 2016
Wow, I didn't realize that was extending to all the cast now. When I saw it in November there wasn't any of that at all. Then in May it was definitely there for Lin but nobody else. (I wondered if the Grammy performance influenced that?)
Also, this photo of the opposite side of the street at today's Ham4Ham is bonnnnnnkers.
posted by kmz at 11:44 AM on July 6, 2016
I saw Sydney James Harcourt as Burr last Sunday and he was excellent. I hope he gets cast as a principal in Chicago or another show--he deserves it. It made me less concerned about the loss of Leslie and the other OBC.
Honestly, the only unpleasant thing about understudies was that in the first number the audience kept going nuts clapping/cheering whenever an original cast member had their first solo line, and then there were a few sort of scattered claps for the understudies. Sad/weird/distracting.
This bothered me on Sunday. The original cast is spectacular, but it's probably for the best that some of them are leaving. The focus can shift back from the fannish obsession with the cast and back to the show. (Although I think some of the younger fans will just transfer their affection to the new people, especially if they're on social media.)
posted by Mavri at 11:45 AM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Honestly, the only unpleasant thing about understudies was that in the first number the audience kept going nuts clapping/cheering whenever an original cast member had their first solo line, and then there were a few sort of scattered claps for the understudies. Sad/weird/distracting.
This bothered me on Sunday. The original cast is spectacular, but it's probably for the best that some of them are leaving. The focus can shift back from the fannish obsession with the cast and back to the show. (Although I think some of the younger fans will just transfer their affection to the new people, especially if they're on social media.)
posted by Mavri at 11:45 AM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
It seems kind of silly to sneer at people who were very excited to see a nearly-uniformly Tony winning cast and who are sad not to have the opportunity to see the original cast, regardless of how many shows you or they have seen and how connected everyone is to Broadway culture.
posted by ChuraChura at 11:57 AM on July 6, 2016 [26 favorites]
posted by ChuraChura at 11:57 AM on July 6, 2016 [26 favorites]
Also I gotta say I don't get why everyone is so worked up about leads leaving the cast.
Assuming this was directed at me, I'm not worked up about it, just a bit disappointed. Admittedly I haven't had the benefit of seeing broadway shows all the time like you, but when the shows become hits and a lot of coverage is about the cast themselves and how great so-and-so is in a specific role, I don't think it's particularly strange for people to be disappointed that they missed out on the cast that propelled the phenomenon for whatever reason.
I've seen plenty of shows without the original cast, but I think Hamilton had a particular amount of focus on the actors and casting decisions (and to add the somewhat uniqueness of having the creator perform in the lead role who has also derived a fair amount of celebrity from it.)
In my particular case I am sad that I won't be able to see Soo perform, as being able to see another chinese american perform in a hit musical that I've really enjoyed held some meaning to me.
posted by Karaage at 12:19 PM on July 6, 2016 [12 favorites]
Assuming this was directed at me, I'm not worked up about it, just a bit disappointed. Admittedly I haven't had the benefit of seeing broadway shows all the time like you, but when the shows become hits and a lot of coverage is about the cast themselves and how great so-and-so is in a specific role, I don't think it's particularly strange for people to be disappointed that they missed out on the cast that propelled the phenomenon for whatever reason.
I've seen plenty of shows without the original cast, but I think Hamilton had a particular amount of focus on the actors and casting decisions (and to add the somewhat uniqueness of having the creator perform in the lead role who has also derived a fair amount of celebrity from it.)
In my particular case I am sad that I won't be able to see Soo perform, as being able to see another chinese american perform in a hit musical that I've really enjoyed held some meaning to me.
posted by Karaage at 12:19 PM on July 6, 2016 [12 favorites]
It didn't get its hooks into me until it was far too late to have a shot at getting tickets. I'm sad I'll miss the opportunity. But like all the best art I've encountered in my life, my overwhelming emotional reaction is to feel grateful that I was alive to hear it.
Obligatory "look around at how lucky, etc." reference that I'm not quiiiiiiite enough of a cornball to type out.
posted by middleclasstool at 12:21 PM on July 6, 2016 [4 favorites]
Obligatory "look around at how lucky, etc." reference that I'm not quiiiiiiite enough of a cornball to type out.
posted by middleclasstool at 12:21 PM on July 6, 2016 [4 favorites]
I'm not the one doing the sneering here, by any means. Just about every person I've heard gripe about the departing cast has been doing so as a way to sneer at the dumb rubes who are planning to see it without Lin Manuel.
My favorite was my boss asking me to get him tickets during a recent trip to NYC. The tickets were upwards of $3000 apiece. He opted not to buy. When I mentioned that Hamilton is actually coming here to Los Angeles next year and will likely continue on Broadway for years to come, his response was that he wouldn't see it without "the real cast". So... you didn't ever actually want to see this thing, you just wanted the status symbol.
posted by Sara C. at 12:25 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
My favorite was my boss asking me to get him tickets during a recent trip to NYC. The tickets were upwards of $3000 apiece. He opted not to buy. When I mentioned that Hamilton is actually coming here to Los Angeles next year and will likely continue on Broadway for years to come, his response was that he wouldn't see it without "the real cast". So... you didn't ever actually want to see this thing, you just wanted the status symbol.
posted by Sara C. at 12:25 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
The two-parter on Hercules Mulligan (additional notes) from the Stuff You Missed in History podcast is pretty great. (And got me listening to that on the regular, which is also nice.)
posted by epersonae at 12:29 PM on July 6, 2016
posted by epersonae at 12:29 PM on July 6, 2016
I think that's at least a bit unfair. I'm sure for some people it's a status thing, but I'd much rather see it with the original cast who helped make it the thing that it is. Mary Poppins doesn't need Julie Andrews per se, but without her in the role I can't help spending 40% of my brain cycles wishing she were there.
posted by middleclasstool at 12:30 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by middleclasstool at 12:30 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
being able to see another chinese american perform in a hit musical that I've really enjoyed held some meaning to me.
Chinese-American actors are actually not that rare, and this should be an easy thing to do if you keep an eye on upcoming productions in your area. Especially with touring companies. A surprising number of touring Broadway productions use colorblind casting. (I'm almost positive I saw an Asian-American Eponine when I saw Les Mis a million years ago in what would have been the umpteenth cast on tour in the South.)
One of my favorite things about Hamilton is the diversity of the cast and the ways that the casting choices for such a hit musical opens up more roles for actors of color, in general. But it's important not to see Hamilton as the ONLY game in town on that count.
posted by Sara C. at 12:30 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Chinese-American actors are actually not that rare, and this should be an easy thing to do if you keep an eye on upcoming productions in your area. Especially with touring companies. A surprising number of touring Broadway productions use colorblind casting. (I'm almost positive I saw an Asian-American Eponine when I saw Les Mis a million years ago in what would have been the umpteenth cast on tour in the South.)
One of my favorite things about Hamilton is the diversity of the cast and the ways that the casting choices for such a hit musical opens up more roles for actors of color, in general. But it's important not to see Hamilton as the ONLY game in town on that count.
posted by Sara C. at 12:30 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Also Phillippa Soo will play the title role in Amelie at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles later this year, prepping for a 2017 run on Broadway.
Broadway casts breaking up is actually a way to have a better chance of seeing an actor you're excited about, since actors who end up associated with popular shows go on to more prominent roles in the future.
posted by Sara C. at 12:35 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Broadway casts breaking up is actually a way to have a better chance of seeing an actor you're excited about, since actors who end up associated with popular shows go on to more prominent roles in the future.
posted by Sara C. at 12:35 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Chinese-American actors are actually not that rare, and this should be an easy thing to do if you keep an eye on upcoming productions in your area.
That wasn't my point. Again, specifically the fact that there's been quite a bit of attention on her and her discussions about her background and her role as an original cast member in a very big and famous big deal theater production.
I am fully aware that asian americans occasionally get roles in theater productions.
posted by Karaage at 12:35 PM on July 6, 2016 [13 favorites]
That wasn't my point. Again, specifically the fact that there's been quite a bit of attention on her and her discussions about her background and her role as an original cast member in a very big and famous big deal theater production.
I am fully aware that asian americans occasionally get roles in theater productions.
posted by Karaage at 12:35 PM on July 6, 2016 [13 favorites]
It seems kind of silly to sneer at people who were very excited to see a nearly-uniformly Tony winning cast and who are sad not to have the opportunity to see the original cast, regardless of how many shows you or they have seen and how connected everyone is to Broadway culture.
Since I was specifically called out here, I just wanted to say that I haven't done any in-person judging of/sneering at someone who was only interested to see it with the original cast and I completely understand the desire/excitement, I was just discussing the phenomena of people viewing the show as a very different thing with/without the original cast. I am genuinely sorry if it came across as being unkind, at my core I am a nice person who loves Hamilton (but is also super old).
posted by kate blank at 12:35 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Since I was specifically called out here, I just wanted to say that I haven't done any in-person judging of/sneering at someone who was only interested to see it with the original cast and I completely understand the desire/excitement, I was just discussing the phenomena of people viewing the show as a very different thing with/without the original cast. I am genuinely sorry if it came across as being unkind, at my core I am a nice person who loves Hamilton (but is also super old).
posted by kate blank at 12:35 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Karaage, one of the things I love most about LMM's casting for this show is his acknowledgement that a person of color isn't necessarily black, I have heard a lot of people say that the inclusion of Soo and others felt monumentally important to them.
posted by kate blank at 12:38 PM on July 6, 2016 [13 favorites]
posted by kate blank at 12:38 PM on July 6, 2016 [13 favorites]
You get it.
posted by Karaage at 12:39 PM on July 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Karaage at 12:39 PM on July 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
So... you didn't ever actually want to see this thing, you just wanted the status symbol.Yeah, that's not a reasonable interpretation of "I wanted to see the cast I'd heard so much about."
posted by uberchet at 12:51 PM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
It's struck me as especially weird since I've heard a lot of "why should I see it when it comes here next year when it won't have the Real Cast???" Uhhhh because that's how it works, and if you actually cared you'd live in New York and be a member of TDF.
hahahahaha yeah I think you might be mixed up about who is doing the sneering
posted by Krom Tatman at 12:54 PM on July 6, 2016 [15 favorites]
hahahahaha yeah I think you might be mixed up about who is doing the sneering
posted by Krom Tatman at 12:54 PM on July 6, 2016 [15 favorites]
A surprising number of touring Broadway productions use colorblind casting. (I'm almost positive I saw an Asian-American Eponine when I saw Les Mis a million years ago in what would have been the umpteenth cast on tour in the South.)
Yes, touring Broadway productions are so colorblind, you're almost certain you saw an Asian-American actor one time, but it's so hard to tell, how can you be sure?
posted by Errant at 1:01 PM on July 6, 2016 [10 favorites]
Yes, touring Broadway productions are so colorblind, you're almost certain you saw an Asian-American actor one time, but it's so hard to tell, how can you be sure?
posted by Errant at 1:01 PM on July 6, 2016 [10 favorites]
this photo of the opposite side of the street at today's Ham4Ham is bonnnnnnkers
I wonder if the Scientologists are still playing that loud video on a loop.
My sense is that the role that will be hardest to step into is Lafayette/Jefferson. For the other major roles I can imagine how new performers could honor the work done by the original cast while also bringing something new and interesting to the roles, but what Daveed Diggs is doing is so distinctive and ebullient that it seems like the options are either mimicry or complete departure. I wonder how understudies for Diggs have approached it.
On the "original cast" thing - in some ways the mass phenomenon Hamilton most resembles is a runaway hit album (I mean, it IS a runaway hit album) - and it's not surprising to think that people who love an album dearly would want to see the band live, and would be less excited about the idea of seeing a cover band perform the same songs. I know that's not exactly what this is but it seems totally understandable to me that that's how people are thinking about it. (The status thing seems separate - that's more about folks who haven't actually connected to the material but have heard that this is the hot exclusive thing to do in NYC at the moment.)
posted by yarrow at 1:03 PM on July 6, 2016 [5 favorites]
I wonder if the Scientologists are still playing that loud video on a loop.
My sense is that the role that will be hardest to step into is Lafayette/Jefferson. For the other major roles I can imagine how new performers could honor the work done by the original cast while also bringing something new and interesting to the roles, but what Daveed Diggs is doing is so distinctive and ebullient that it seems like the options are either mimicry or complete departure. I wonder how understudies for Diggs have approached it.
On the "original cast" thing - in some ways the mass phenomenon Hamilton most resembles is a runaway hit album (I mean, it IS a runaway hit album) - and it's not surprising to think that people who love an album dearly would want to see the band live, and would be less excited about the idea of seeing a cover band perform the same songs. I know that's not exactly what this is but it seems totally understandable to me that that's how people are thinking about it. (The status thing seems separate - that's more about folks who haven't actually connected to the material but have heard that this is the hot exclusive thing to do in NYC at the moment.)
posted by yarrow at 1:03 PM on July 6, 2016 [5 favorites]
My point was that if one's reason for wanting to see the Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton was to see a Chinese-American actress, you would have an easier time simply following your local theatre scene.
The reason I'm speculating is that I was looking for an example of a time I saw an Asian-American actress specifically in a non-Asian role in a Broadway show touring company of a popular show that a lot of people like. Which was something like 15 years ago, because that's how long ago I lived in a city where most popular musicals happened via touring companies.
I've seen many, many other actors of color in many, many other things since. That's just the first very specifically relevant thing that came to mind. Recommending that Karaage see something by Young Jean Lee (who is Korean-American, anyway) didn't seem that relevant.
posted by Sara C. at 1:05 PM on July 6, 2016
The reason I'm speculating is that I was looking for an example of a time I saw an Asian-American actress specifically in a non-Asian role in a Broadway show touring company of a popular show that a lot of people like. Which was something like 15 years ago, because that's how long ago I lived in a city where most popular musicals happened via touring companies.
I've seen many, many other actors of color in many, many other things since. That's just the first very specifically relevant thing that came to mind. Recommending that Karaage see something by Young Jean Lee (who is Korean-American, anyway) didn't seem that relevant.
posted by Sara C. at 1:05 PM on July 6, 2016
My point was that if one's reason for wanting to see the Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton was to see a Chinese-American actress, you would have an easier time simply following your local theatre scene.
I am sure you said this with the best of intentions, but I want to make something very clear: People of color are not fungible.
I've already explained, but I wanted to see Phillipa Soo in that specific role because of who she is and her contributions to the original cast, and that is not something I can simply check box off somewhere by seeing a play somewhere else that happens to have a Chinese American actress.
posted by Karaage at 1:07 PM on July 6, 2016 [28 favorites]
I am sure you said this with the best of intentions, but I want to make something very clear: People of color are not fungible.
I've already explained, but I wanted to see Phillipa Soo in that specific role because of who she is and her contributions to the original cast, and that is not something I can simply check box off somewhere by seeing a play somewhere else that happens to have a Chinese American actress.
posted by Karaage at 1:07 PM on July 6, 2016 [28 favorites]
Yes, but you could see Phillippa Soo in Amelie later this year/next year depending on where you live.
The way this works is that you're a relatively unknown actor, and then you get cast in a big Broadway show. Yay! You do that for a year or so, and then, because you've distinguished yourself, you start getting offers of other stuff. Almost always stuff that (like jumping from a supporting character to the lead) is better for your career.
Phillippa Soo leaving Hamilton makes it more likely that you will get to see her eventually.
posted by Sara C. at 1:22 PM on July 6, 2016
The way this works is that you're a relatively unknown actor, and then you get cast in a big Broadway show. Yay! You do that for a year or so, and then, because you've distinguished yourself, you start getting offers of other stuff. Almost always stuff that (like jumping from a supporting character to the lead) is better for your career.
Phillippa Soo leaving Hamilton makes it more likely that you will get to see her eventually.
posted by Sara C. at 1:22 PM on July 6, 2016
maybe if you cannot understand how Philippa Soo's role in Hamilton specifically has resonance to some people of color, it's ok to just leave it and not try to argue them out of how they feel
posted by Krom Tatman at 1:24 PM on July 6, 2016 [33 favorites]
posted by Krom Tatman at 1:24 PM on July 6, 2016 [33 favorites]
People of color are not fungible....I wanted to see Phillipa Soo in that specific role
Yes, but you could see Phillippa Soo in Amelie
I don't think you're remotely trying to understand Karaage's point, which is hardly a complex one.
Also, please tell us more about how theater works, we're all uneducated rubes out here just dazzled by the bright lights and big city.
posted by Errant at 1:27 PM on July 6, 2016 [17 favorites]
Yes, but you could see Phillippa Soo in Amelie
I don't think you're remotely trying to understand Karaage's point, which is hardly a complex one.
Also, please tell us more about how theater works, we're all uneducated rubes out here just dazzled by the bright lights and big city.
posted by Errant at 1:27 PM on July 6, 2016 [17 favorites]
I've mostly seen it with regard to people trying desperately to get tickets in NYC during the next week or so, who are adults
I mean this seems pretty sneery to me
posted by beerperson at 1:34 PM on July 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
I mean this seems pretty sneery to me
posted by beerperson at 1:34 PM on July 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
I am pleased as punch to just sit here and wait for the cast recording video come out. Even if it takes a few years, I'm just satisfied in knowing it exists. (Satisfied Satisfied)
posted by Theta States at 1:38 PM on July 6, 2016 [12 favorites]
posted by Theta States at 1:38 PM on July 6, 2016 [12 favorites]
I'm not the one doing the sneering here, by any means.
It's funny how repeating other people's remarks without criticism can sound an awful lot like endorsing them.
posted by Lexica at 1:46 PM on July 6, 2016
It's funny how repeating other people's remarks without criticism can sound an awful lot like endorsing them.
posted by Lexica at 1:46 PM on July 6, 2016
Phillippa Soo leaving Hamilton makes it more likely that you will get to see her eventually.
But it makes it less likely that you will see her playing Eliza Hamilton.
The way this works is, unique actors bring their own unique elements to a character, and every character is different too, so if an actor goes on to play something else, you won't be getting the same performance if you see that actor playing someone else, just like you won't be getting performance if you see someone else playing the same character.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:47 PM on July 6, 2016 [4 favorites]
But it makes it less likely that you will see her playing Eliza Hamilton.
The way this works is, unique actors bring their own unique elements to a character, and every character is different too, so if an actor goes on to play something else, you won't be getting the same performance if you see that actor playing someone else, just like you won't be getting performance if you see someone else playing the same character.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:47 PM on July 6, 2016 [4 favorites]
Hopefully there will be plenty of footage of Soo (including her Burn) on the PBS documentary in October.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:48 PM on July 6, 2016
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:48 PM on July 6, 2016
Of all the things LMM could possibly do after Hamilton, I'm really bummed out about the Mary Poppins prequel. Rob Marshall is a terrible director and the premise seems awful. With Hamilton being the juggernaut it is, LMM could write his own paycheck, so why he'd play a (most likely) subservient character in what looks like a terrible movie is beyond me. Oh well, I guess Tobillo needs his kibble.
posted by pxe2000 at 2:07 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by pxe2000 at 2:07 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
I really, really trust that Lin has read the script and loves it.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:10 PM on July 6, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:10 PM on July 6, 2016 [4 favorites]
Side note: I'm hoping with the cast changes that Russell Mael plays King George. "You'll Be Back" is practically a latter-day Sparks song, anyway.
posted by pxe2000 at 2:10 PM on July 6, 2016
posted by pxe2000 at 2:10 PM on July 6, 2016
I really, really trust that Lin has read the script and loves it.I'm sure he's read the script, but I wonder if he loved the house he could buy if he appeared in the film.
posted by pxe2000 at 2:11 PM on July 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
Hopefully there will be plenty of footage of Soo (including her Burn) on the PBS documentary in October.
There was actually pro shot footage of Burn from a publicity reel in the early months of the Broadway run. Can't find it now though, it seems the producers retracted that whole thing.
posted by kmz at 2:12 PM on July 6, 2016
There was actually pro shot footage of Burn from a publicity reel in the early months of the Broadway run. Can't find it now though, it seems the producers retracted that whole thing.
posted by kmz at 2:12 PM on July 6, 2016
I'm sure he's read the script, but I wonder if he loved the house he could buy if he appeared in the film.
I 100% do not think he's worried about that.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:14 PM on July 6, 2016 [5 favorites]
I 100% do not think he's worried about that.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:14 PM on July 6, 2016 [5 favorites]
To me it's as simple as he's obviously a huge musicals nerd and a big Disney nerd. I've never personally been into Mary Poppins so I'm way more excited about Moana and the In The Heights movie, but whatever, let the man live.
posted by kmz at 2:20 PM on July 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by kmz at 2:20 PM on July 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
(And of course also excited about any future appearances in the McElroy/Smirl media empire.)
posted by kmz at 2:21 PM on July 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by kmz at 2:21 PM on July 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
but whatever, let the man live.I'm pretty sure I can express disappointment that he's appearing in what looks like a terrible movie without killing him. Don't put words in my mouth.
posted by pxe2000 at 2:23 PM on July 6, 2016
Count me in the 'a little bit disappointed' camp. Maybe wistful.
One of the things I love most about live theatre is that it captures a moment that can never, ever happen again. Of course I will see Hamilton when the tickets, you know, dip below the cost of my rent, but it won't be the same show as the one that will play tonight; the show you see in the cultural context of 2016 will never be the show in 2017, the show with different people who bring different things. You catch lightening...not even in a bottle, when you see live theatre, and to not be able to catch this moment and have it always have happened to you -- I think it's fair to mourn that, just a little bit. It will be amazing in a different way! But there will be that difference.
Look, it's like this -- I saw Threepenny Opera at the National Theatre about a month ago. There's a line in the overture, "This is an opera for a city that has gone beyond morality". It was great in early June. But can you imagine that line, the evening after the referendum vote? I'm not sorry I saw the show when I did, but my God, to have been a part of that!
posted by kalimac at 2:24 PM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
One of the things I love most about live theatre is that it captures a moment that can never, ever happen again. Of course I will see Hamilton when the tickets, you know, dip below the cost of my rent, but it won't be the same show as the one that will play tonight; the show you see in the cultural context of 2016 will never be the show in 2017, the show with different people who bring different things. You catch lightening...not even in a bottle, when you see live theatre, and to not be able to catch this moment and have it always have happened to you -- I think it's fair to mourn that, just a little bit. It will be amazing in a different way! But there will be that difference.
Look, it's like this -- I saw Threepenny Opera at the National Theatre about a month ago. There's a line in the overture, "This is an opera for a city that has gone beyond morality". It was great in early June. But can you imagine that line, the evening after the referendum vote? I'm not sorry I saw the show when I did, but my God, to have been a part of that!
posted by kalimac at 2:24 PM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
Going to see Avenue Q while the RNC convention was in NYC was pretty great. The "George Bush is only for now" line got the best reaction.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:25 PM on July 6, 2016
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:25 PM on July 6, 2016
Karaage, one of the things I love most about LMM's casting for this show is his acknowledgement that a person of color isn't necessarily black, I have heard a lot of people say that the inclusion of Soo and others felt monumentally important to them.
To expand on this--I, like Soo, am the daughter of a white American parent and an Asian immigrant parent. I look pretty white. I could probably be cast in a production of Amelie, if I could sing or dance or act (those aren't like, big barriers, right?) I have been told more times than I can count that I must not "really" be Asian--never mind that English isn't my first language and that no one who actually sees me with my mom read us as unrelated. Hamilton is, very specifically, a celebration of POC in America, and that includes Philippa Soo, who is like me, whose interviews about her identity and upbringing feel so familiar. Color-blind casting is great, but it's not the same as having stories that are by and for and about people of color. It is hard for me to put into words how immensely powerful it is to have something that POC can bond over, and doesn't do it by erasing the differences in experience between different groups of POC, but gives us all something to share and celebrate and exclaim over together. You'll just have to take my word for it.
posted by Krom Tatman at 2:38 PM on July 6, 2016 [16 favorites]
To expand on this--I, like Soo, am the daughter of a white American parent and an Asian immigrant parent. I look pretty white. I could probably be cast in a production of Amelie, if I could sing or dance or act (those aren't like, big barriers, right?) I have been told more times than I can count that I must not "really" be Asian--never mind that English isn't my first language and that no one who actually sees me with my mom read us as unrelated. Hamilton is, very specifically, a celebration of POC in America, and that includes Philippa Soo, who is like me, whose interviews about her identity and upbringing feel so familiar. Color-blind casting is great, but it's not the same as having stories that are by and for and about people of color. It is hard for me to put into words how immensely powerful it is to have something that POC can bond over, and doesn't do it by erasing the differences in experience between different groups of POC, but gives us all something to share and celebrate and exclaim over together. You'll just have to take my word for it.
posted by Krom Tatman at 2:38 PM on July 6, 2016 [16 favorites]
Karaage, I'm not even the same kind of Asian American but I'm with you and Krom Tatman. It's nice to see an Asian American actress who's not Lea Salonga (not that she doesn't deserve all her many accolades!) get this kind of widespread acclaim for originating a role in a hit musical, particularly when Allegiance didn't have a run as long as I think many people were hoping. (Not to mention the recent/pending The King and I and Miss Saigon revivals.)
You catch lightening...not even in a bottle, when you see live theatre, and to not be able to catch this moment and have it always have happened to you -- I think it's fair to mourn that, just a little bit. It will be amazing in a different way! But there will be that difference.
I've been lucky enough to see a decent number of good shows for someone who doesn't live in a Famous Theater City but there's a special frisson to seeing it with the people who originate the role. You share that moment with the rest of the audience in a way that usually doesn't happen with later casts.
posted by bettafish at 2:42 PM on July 6, 2016 [6 favorites]
You catch lightening...not even in a bottle, when you see live theatre, and to not be able to catch this moment and have it always have happened to you -- I think it's fair to mourn that, just a little bit. It will be amazing in a different way! But there will be that difference.
I've been lucky enough to see a decent number of good shows for someone who doesn't live in a Famous Theater City but there's a special frisson to seeing it with the people who originate the role. You share that moment with the rest of the audience in a way that usually doesn't happen with later casts.
posted by bettafish at 2:42 PM on July 6, 2016 [6 favorites]
I'm pretty sure I can express disappointment that he's appearing in what looks like a terrible movie without killing him. Don't put words in my mouth.
Sorry about that, was using an expression which was still too strong of a response. Shouldn't have done that.
posted by kmz at 2:49 PM on July 6, 2016
Sorry about that, was using an expression which was still too strong of a response. Shouldn't have done that.
posted by kmz at 2:49 PM on July 6, 2016
Yes, I know, DAVEED, I feel you there . . .
Do you? Are you sure?
posted by The Bellman at 3:19 PM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
Do you? Are you sure?
posted by The Bellman at 3:19 PM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
I've been lucky enough to see a decent number of good shows for someone who doesn't live in a Famous Theater City but there's a special frisson to seeing it with the people who originate the role. You share that moment with the rest of the audience in a way that usually doesn't happen with later casts.
And sometimes the original cast just has a chemistry that works. I saw The Producers when it was in previews, and therefore I ended up being one of the people who ended up seeing it with both Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. For most of the run proper, Nathan Lane was periodically in and out with ailments, and so was Matthew, and it actually ended up being kind of rare for them both to be together. Not that it hurt the show any - I think it still holds the record for the most TONYS - but those two have a chemistry together that is just astounding.
And on the other hand - I saw Chicago with only part of the original cast. Bebe Neuwirth was still Velma, but Marilu Henner had already replaced Ann Reinking as Roxie, and I think I may have been happier seeing it that way than I would have with Reinking.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:45 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
And sometimes the original cast just has a chemistry that works. I saw The Producers when it was in previews, and therefore I ended up being one of the people who ended up seeing it with both Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. For most of the run proper, Nathan Lane was periodically in and out with ailments, and so was Matthew, and it actually ended up being kind of rare for them both to be together. Not that it hurt the show any - I think it still holds the record for the most TONYS - but those two have a chemistry together that is just astounding.
And on the other hand - I saw Chicago with only part of the original cast. Bebe Neuwirth was still Velma, but Marilu Henner had already replaced Ann Reinking as Roxie, and I think I may have been happier seeing it that way than I would have with Reinking.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:45 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Having happily devoured Ryan North's "choose-your-own" version of Hamlet, "To Be Or Not To Be (That Is the Adventure)" and his follow-up, "Romeo And/Or Juliet", I've wondered what non-Shakespearean works he could do similar treatment to. A Hamilton-based book would have so many possibilities, branching to other eras of American History, other Broadway Musicals (revolt against 'The Lion King'? yep.) or rappers (The Notorious B.U.R.R.?), but only one possible title: "I WISH I wrote Hamlet!"
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:50 PM on July 6, 2016
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:50 PM on July 6, 2016
So, my wife is an actress, and she's seeing Hamilton tonight, because our niece was obsessed with it and her mom (my sister in law) managed to get tickets LAST DECEMBER (and that was the second time she'd tried). When all the cast departures started to be announced they considered reselling the tickets in order to finance a much nicer trip to see the replacement cast. Because yes, they'll all be really good. But in the end they decided to go, on the theory that the chemistry wouldn't be the same.
There's no one right way to think about it. Of course the replacements will be great. Of course the original cast did a new, important thing.
I do have a problem with the people who say they'll never see the show now, because that's really not how Broadway works, but I'm sympathetic to people who are sad.
posted by fedward at 4:56 PM on July 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
There's no one right way to think about it. Of course the replacements will be great. Of course the original cast did a new, important thing.
I do have a problem with the people who say they'll never see the show now, because that's really not how Broadway works, but I'm sympathetic to people who are sad.
posted by fedward at 4:56 PM on July 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
And she just texted me: "DAVEED DIGGS IS OUT."
Then: 'Actual conversation. "It's too late to sell these right?"'
posted by fedward at 4:57 PM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
Then: 'Actual conversation. "It's too late to sell these right?"'
posted by fedward at 4:57 PM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
> Karaage, one of the things I love most about LMM's casting for this show is his acknowledgement that a person of color isn't necessarily black, I have heard a lot of people say that the inclusion of Soo and others felt monumentally important to them.Absolutely. For me (another mixed White-/Asian-American), one of the many great messages from Hamilton’s casting was not just that an Asian-American could have a major role in a Broadway show about the American Revolution, but also that an Asian-American could have a major role in a heavily hip-hop/R&B show.
As great as the original cast is, I’m personally excited to find out what other performers can bring to these roles. I think the part of Alexander Hamilton is especially malleable, with plenty of room for a new actor to explore and stake out. For example, how different would it feel with someone a decade younger in the title role? (In the long term, anyway. For now I imagine the Broadway cast and director will manage to keep the show the same as much as possible, especially since Muñoz was already Miranda’s alternate.)
posted by mbrubeck at 6:09 PM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
L-MM has been making noises about coming back to the NY production.
posted by brujita at 6:16 PM on July 6, 2016
posted by brujita at 6:16 PM on July 6, 2016
I was (very, very, very) lucky enough to see the show with almost the entire OBC (Philipa Soo was out and Jonathan Groff had just left). And I'll be honest: it was really special to see the show with that cast. They are all so insanely talented and had such an amazing dynamic together. And I am ungrateful enough to be a little bit bummed not to see them again (especially since Soo was out and her understudy was fine but didn't have the emotional resonance Soo does). So I can certainly understand why other people would be sad not to see them!
You know it's a really great show when so many the actors seem like the parts were written just for them. Someone upthread mentioned Daveed Diggs, and it is really hard to imagine anyone replacing him. Same goes for Leslie Odom Jr and Chris Jackson. It's not just about their sheer talent but the way they each inhabit those roles (though of course that's talent too).
But I seriously can't wait for what they all do next. So much great talent. As for Mary Poppins, it seems pretty clear that LMM really wants to do stuff for kids. He has always been really great with his young fans, he's a new dad, and I think it's sweet that he wants to make movies for kids.
Or people willing to spend thousands on OBC tickets when they could see it for under $100 next year on tour.
Nope. Chicago resale tickets are already going for for over $1,000. I imagine tickets for shorter runs will be at least hundreds of dollars.
posted by lunasol at 9:17 PM on July 6, 2016
You know it's a really great show when so many the actors seem like the parts were written just for them. Someone upthread mentioned Daveed Diggs, and it is really hard to imagine anyone replacing him. Same goes for Leslie Odom Jr and Chris Jackson. It's not just about their sheer talent but the way they each inhabit those roles (though of course that's talent too).
But I seriously can't wait for what they all do next. So much great talent. As for Mary Poppins, it seems pretty clear that LMM really wants to do stuff for kids. He has always been really great with his young fans, he's a new dad, and I think it's sweet that he wants to make movies for kids.
Or people willing to spend thousands on OBC tickets when they could see it for under $100 next year on tour.
Nope. Chicago resale tickets are already going for for over $1,000. I imagine tickets for shorter runs will be at least hundreds of dollars.
posted by lunasol at 9:17 PM on July 6, 2016
You know it's a really great show when so many the actors seem like the parts were written just for them.
To a large extent the parts were written just for them. From Miranda's interview with Grantland:
posted by mbrubeck at 10:11 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
To a large extent the parts were written just for them. From Miranda's interview with Grantland:
Even before you’d finished Hamilton, were you already writing a character with Chris Jackson in mind?and:
He was always George Washington.
One of the last things I wrote for the show was one more fast rap for Lafayette, before he hands off a letter. Because I had Daveed. And he’s just the fucking best.He also told the New Yorker:
There are things that don’t exist, and that are not going to exist, until we have actors in the room, and I go, ‘Oh!’And Jasmine Cephas Jones has said, “[Renee, Phillipa, and I] had such a tight bond and we were singing all together constantly. Lin-Manuel Miranda actually rewrote ‘The Schuyler Sisters’ and put more harmonies in and made it more who we are when we’re together.”
posted by mbrubeck at 10:11 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
I don't know why everybody is getting so fighty in this thread. Sure, Hamilton is great, but once you've seen it three (or four?) times with the original cast you want to see something different. Besides, once you've done the backstage tour it takes a lot of the mystique out of the experience, seeing Daveed Diggs eating a Subway sandwich like a regular guy.
posted by benzenedream at 10:48 PM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by benzenedream at 10:48 PM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
pxe2000, I'm with you. Never been a Mary Poppins fan in the first place--it's okay, but I don't have whopping love and the musical they made after the movie may be Travers approved, but it's pretty meh--and I was agreeing with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog (there's a first). Who needed Mary Poppins 2?! Who's been clamoring for that in 2016? I'm way more psyched about Moana, which seems much more fitting to LMM's genius skills than a decades later warmed over sequel or prequel or whatever it is. It just...doesn't seem right to leave the world's most awesome musical (WHICH HE WROTE!) for...Mary Poppins 2. Oh well, I'm sure he must get paid a buttload of millions for it more than he may get for the musical for all I know, so there's that.
I found a book in the library called "Secret Heroes: Everyday Americans Who Shaped Our World" that has a chapter on Hercules Mulligan, if anyone wants to look for it. That was a pretty fun read.
I think people are kinda cranky because most of us can't see Hamilton once, much less three or four times to get jaded by the original cast.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:50 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
I found a book in the library called "Secret Heroes: Everyday Americans Who Shaped Our World" that has a chapter on Hercules Mulligan, if anyone wants to look for it. That was a pretty fun read.
I think people are kinda cranky because most of us can't see Hamilton once, much less three or four times to get jaded by the original cast.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:50 PM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
I don't know why everybody is getting so fighty in this thread. Sure, Hamilton is great, but once you've seen it three (or four?) times with the original cast you want to see something different. Besides, once you've done the backstage tour it takes a lot of the mystique out of the experience, seeing Daveed Diggs eating a Subway sandwich like a regular guy.
YOU SONNOFA....
:)
posted by Theta States at 6:34 AM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
YOU SONNOFA....
:)
posted by Theta States at 6:34 AM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I think we can all agree that benzenedream is basically the worst person on MetaFilter right now.
posted by Etrigan at 6:36 AM on July 7, 2016
posted by Etrigan at 6:36 AM on July 7, 2016
Of all the things LMM could possibly do after Hamilton, I'm really bummed out about the Mary Poppins prequel. Rob Marshall is a terrible director and the premise seems awful.
Yeahbut Marc Shaiman is doing the music! He was a producer for Bette Midler who did all of the music for the amazing Hairspray...
I'm remaining hopeful. I love Mary Poppins, and I really want this to be great.
posted by Theta States at 6:37 AM on July 7, 2016
Yeahbut Marc Shaiman is doing the music! He was a producer for Bette Midler who did all of the music for the amazing Hairspray...
I'm remaining hopeful. I love Mary Poppins, and I really want this to be great.
posted by Theta States at 6:37 AM on July 7, 2016
I'm getting ready for a trip to Paris in a week, and I'll be staying near the cemetery in which Lafayette is interred. I'm making up a little note to leave there
I trust you will utter the traditional, "Lafayette, we are here."
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:43 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
I trust you will utter the traditional, "Lafayette, we are here."
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:43 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
And she just texted me: "DAVEED DIGGS IS OUT."
Then: 'Actual conversation. "It's too late to sell these right?"'
I hope none of the other actors ever stumble across this thread, because this is insulting.
posted by Lexica at 10:09 AM on July 7, 2016
Then: 'Actual conversation. "It's too late to sell these right?"'
I hope none of the other actors ever stumble across this thread, because this is insulting.
posted by Lexica at 10:09 AM on July 7, 2016
I trust you will utter the traditional, "Lafayette, we are here."
For extra points, you could use the French: "Lafayette, nous voila". (noo vwah-la)
I went to Picpus Cemetery in 2010, and it was a pretty sleepy place. I wonder if they've been getting more traffic this year.
posted by donajo at 10:28 AM on July 7, 2016
For extra points, you could use the French: "Lafayette, nous voila". (noo vwah-la)
I went to Picpus Cemetery in 2010, and it was a pretty sleepy place. I wonder if they've been getting more traffic this year.
posted by donajo at 10:28 AM on July 7, 2016
I hope none of the other actors ever stumble across this thread, because this is insulting.
To be clear: it was 100% a joke, in the context of previous conversations about selling (see my previous comment), and after they were inside the theatre. And the understudy was good.
posted by fedward at 10:53 AM on July 7, 2016
To be clear: it was 100% a joke, in the context of previous conversations about selling (see my previous comment), and after they were inside the theatre. And the understudy was good.
posted by fedward at 10:53 AM on July 7, 2016
A fairly lovely essay on birthdeathmovies.
posted by chainlinkspiral at 1:19 PM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by chainlinkspiral at 1:19 PM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Oh man, I was so excited to be at Wednesday's show! (I was lucky enough to impulsively buy tickets corresponding to vacation time back in October before things got really out of control... I still can't believe that 10 months of waiting actually came together!). However, like an idiot I hadn't put 2+2 together about Wednesday being LMM's last Ham4Ham. I strolled by the theater at 11am thinking I'd be able to get a decentish spot, and things were already insane and hot and sweaty. I ended up with a great view from the Scientology stoop across the street (no audio from them and just one guy kind of halfassedly handing out pamphlets), but from there the audio was pretty poor. We could tell that LMM was reading something, but after "1780" you just got a sense of his enthusiasm and occasional laughs from the audience right in front of him, but he mostly just sounded like a Peanuts adult. The funniest bit for us was that Javier Munoz was doing some kind of photo shoot on the balcony right above them (which apparently LMM was unaware of) so there were occasional cheers for him as well, and people from Les Mis sticking their heads out of windows to see what all the extra chaos was about.
I will say that thing that I found kind of (perhaps totally irrationally) annoying were the superfans camped out by the stage door who already had autographed stuff with them! Like, let the poor out-of-towners who don't have weeks to camp out by the stage door collecting autographs get their shot!
posted by TwoStride at 12:16 AM on July 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
I will say that thing that I found kind of (perhaps totally irrationally) annoying were the superfans camped out by the stage door who already had autographed stuff with them! Like, let the poor out-of-towners who don't have weeks to camp out by the stage door collecting autographs get their shot!
posted by TwoStride at 12:16 AM on July 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
Before their final performance together, the Schuyler Sisters sang "For the Longest Time"
Tonight's curtain call - the final for Lin, Leslie, Phillipa - will livestream on Facebook at around 10:45pm New York time.
posted by crossoverman at 6:42 PM on July 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
Tonight's curtain call - the final for Lin, Leslie, Phillipa - will livestream on Facebook at around 10:45pm New York time.
posted by crossoverman at 6:42 PM on July 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
Finally, I am forced to figure out Facebook Live ::shakes fist::
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:23 PM on July 9, 2016
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:23 PM on July 9, 2016
I don't think there's anything to figure out. If you follow the Hamilton page, you'll probably get a notification that they are live streaming when it happens. I'm on the page now, in case I don't get a notification.
posted by crossoverman at 7:40 PM on July 9, 2016
posted by crossoverman at 7:40 PM on July 9, 2016
This link will be for a limited time only I'm sure, but here is a YouTube playlist of live footage of all 47 songs featuring the entire original cast recorded just a few days ago. Next best thing to being there!
posted by Rhaomi at 10:32 PM on July 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Rhaomi at 10:32 PM on July 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Those clips appear to be from an older bootleg that's been going around for a while. They keep popping up on YouTube. Absolutely terrible quality but at least you can get a look at the staging.
I have no idea how the filmer got away with it. I would have been pissed if I were seated nearby!
posted by lunasol at 10:51 PM on July 10, 2016
I have no idea how the filmer got away with it. I would have been pissed if I were seated nearby!
posted by lunasol at 10:51 PM on July 10, 2016
I literally left work to download those 47 videos from youtube before they were removed.
I am so happy.
The sound quality doesn't bother me, I cannot help but hear the full impact of the studio recordings in my head. Watched a few, then back to work. Can't wait to watch them all.
posted by Theta States at 9:31 AM on July 11, 2016
I am so happy.
The sound quality doesn't bother me, I cannot help but hear the full impact of the studio recordings in my head. Watched a few, then back to work. Can't wait to watch them all.
posted by Theta States at 9:31 AM on July 11, 2016
Daveed Diggs's last performance will be July 15; he is on to bigger and better things but I'll admit I wish he was staying in the role another year!
posted by kate blank at 7:37 AM on July 13, 2016
posted by kate blank at 7:37 AM on July 13, 2016
Rembert Browne sums up the non-killing parts of July 2016 in the first sentence of his story:
posted by Etrigan at 7:50 AM on July 13, 2016
A Meowth on 46th and 6th almost made me miss a historic night on Broadway, the last performance of Hamilton for star/creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr), Phillipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton), and ensemble member Ariana DeBose.Bonus pic of Aaron Paul trying to get around John Kerry.
posted by Etrigan at 7:50 AM on July 13, 2016
Karen Olivo (original Broadway Vanessa in In The Heights, Tony winner for West Side Story) is playing Angelica in Chicago!!! Holy shit!
Also, weird coincidence, the new Eliza in New York and the Eliza in Chicago both were on Season 8 of American Idol.
posted by kmz at 9:49 AM on July 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
Also, weird coincidence, the new Eliza in New York and the Eliza in Chicago both were on Season 8 of American Idol.
posted by kmz at 9:49 AM on July 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
Karen Olivo (original Broadway Vanessa in In The Heights, Tony winner for West Side Story) is playing Angelica in Chicago!!! Holy shit!
In another weird coincidence, I was reading the notes for Satisfied from Hamilton: The Revolution, the other day, and the first note is about the music. LMM first wrote the music for a project that never got off the ground; Karen Olivo wrote the lyrics for an unrequited love song and LMM provided the music. When he struggled with writing Satisfied, the music came up on his shuffle and he realized he needed the music for Hamilton. He asked for the music back, and Olivo graciously agreed.
So now it'll be her song again, kind of.
posted by creepygirl at 10:57 PM on July 13, 2016 [3 favorites]
In another weird coincidence, I was reading the notes for Satisfied from Hamilton: The Revolution, the other day, and the first note is about the music. LMM first wrote the music for a project that never got off the ground; Karen Olivo wrote the lyrics for an unrequited love song and LMM provided the music. When he struggled with writing Satisfied, the music came up on his shuffle and he realized he needed the music for Hamilton. He asked for the music back, and Olivo graciously agreed.
So now it'll be her song again, kind of.
posted by creepygirl at 10:57 PM on July 13, 2016 [3 favorites]
I am currently in France and was discussing the show with someone yesterday. He'd heard OF the show, and heard a line or two from the show on some newscast, but that was it. I showed him the TONY performance of "Yorktown" and the videos that thowmthenlyrics versions of both the opening number and of "Guns and Ships". He was VERY jazzed up after seeing it and predicted it would be "a worldwide sensation!"
I was going to say something skeptical ("I don't know, is something that's so focused on American history going to translate to other countries?"), but then I remembered that one of the most famous musicals in the world is set during a comparatively obscure Parisian battle.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:35 AM on July 14, 2016 [4 favorites]
I was going to say something skeptical ("I don't know, is something that's so focused on American history going to translate to other countries?"), but then I remembered that one of the most famous musicals in the world is set during a comparatively obscure Parisian battle.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:35 AM on July 14, 2016 [4 favorites]
Well, I know that in order to squeeze into Lin-Manuel's second-last show over the weekend, I had to spend way more money than I can say out loud without blushing, so for me there's definitely something about seeing the definitive performer/cast before they move on.
That said, Javier Munoz's spin on Hamilton looks and sounds very, very good from the clips I've seen, and I'm sure I'll end up seeing that version eventually, too, and/or one of the future touring casts. No matter who performs it where, it's a great play as long as it's put on well. And since the other cast changes look fine from here, without an awful choice* in the lot, I'm not worried. Heck, some of them, like Munoz and Olivo, are in some ways even more original than the first-run performers, anyway.
If nothing else, events like the NPH-led reboot of Hedwig and the Angry Inch a couple years ago should demonstrate that the original isn't necessarily the only perfect choice**.
* unless we count LMM's choice of the Mary Poppins thing. Talk about throwing away your shot.
** Even at gunpoint I could never choose between Mitchell and Harris as Hedwig. They were both ideal, if that even makes sense.
posted by rokusan at 11:21 AM on July 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
That said, Javier Munoz's spin on Hamilton looks and sounds very, very good from the clips I've seen, and I'm sure I'll end up seeing that version eventually, too, and/or one of the future touring casts. No matter who performs it where, it's a great play as long as it's put on well. And since the other cast changes look fine from here, without an awful choice* in the lot, I'm not worried. Heck, some of them, like Munoz and Olivo, are in some ways even more original than the first-run performers, anyway.
If nothing else, events like the NPH-led reboot of Hedwig and the Angry Inch a couple years ago should demonstrate that the original isn't necessarily the only perfect choice**.
* unless we count LMM's choice of the Mary Poppins thing. Talk about throwing away your shot.
** Even at gunpoint I could never choose between Mitchell and Harris as Hedwig. They were both ideal, if that even makes sense.
posted by rokusan at 11:21 AM on July 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
Last episode of Aaron Burr, Sir: Backstage at Broadway's HAMILTON with Leslie Odom Jr.
Don't miss J-Lo and John Kerry walking through an intermission dance party!
posted by kmz at 2:19 PM on July 14, 2016 [2 favorites]
Don't miss J-Lo and John Kerry walking through an intermission dance party!
posted by kmz at 2:19 PM on July 14, 2016 [2 favorites]
So at Versailles, right now, there is a special exhibit on "France's contribution to the American Revolutionary War". In it, of course, there were copious references to Lafayette and Rochambeau - and each time I saw each one I would start humming either "Guns and Ships" or "Yorktown". The exhibit ended in a gallery with a huge painting depicting Washington, Rochambeau, AND Lafayette all together, and I ended up wandering through the next two halls singing to myself: "the world turned upsi-ide do-own...."
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:24 PM on July 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:24 PM on July 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
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I'm getting ready for a trip to Paris in a week, and I'll be staying near the cemetery in which Lafayette is interred. I'm making up a little note to leave there - half in French, but then at the very end, I will quote: Because how can you not.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:52 AM on July 6, 2016 [18 favorites]