Playhouse Square’s ‘Hamilton’ carries a message for our times

Thus far I have seen the Broadway musical “Hamilton” three times, all at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio. The first time I absolutely hated it. The sound mix was so bad that you could not understand a single lyric thus following the show proved nearly impossible. Going back for a second try five years later it was a much improved show with a sound system that had a better balance.

So “Hamilton” is back once more in the KeyBank State Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio and this is the best rendition yet. It is all due to the unsung heroes of Cleveland theater, the sound designer and technicians. This particular musical demands the very best in sound in order to make the story understandable. Rapid fire rap lyrics are challenging to say the least and a substandard set-up ruins the show. Hats off to Nevin Steinberg for the superb sound design as well as the technicians who “ran the boards”.

“Hamilton” is a sung/rapped biographical musical with music, lyrics and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda (of “In The Heights” fame) and is based on the 2004 biography “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow. The musical covers the life of American Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton’s involvement in the American Revolution and the early history of the nation as well as his troubled personal life. Combining hip hop, R&B, pop, soul and traditional Broadway style songs it features non-white actors as the Founding Fathers of the United States or as Miranda describes it “America then, as told by America now”.

The show was universally accepted right from its opening when it premiered off-Broadway on February 17, 2015. With Miranda playing the lead role of Hamilton the several month engagement was sold out winning eight Drama Desk Awards (including Best Musical). It transferred to Broadway on August 6, 2015 receiving 16 Tony Awards nominations and winning eleven (also for Best Musical). In 2016 it was the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Disney+ released a film version of the Broadway production in 2020.

Alexander Hamilton (Nathan Haydel) grew up tough on the island of St. Croix as an orphan. With help from friends he was able to immigrate to New York City and enroll at King’s College in 1776 (“Alexander Hamilton”). It is there that he met future revolutionaries Aaron Burr (Hosea Mundi), John Laurens (Desmond Nunn), the Marquis de Lafayette (Jared Howelton) and Hercules Mulligan (Kai Thomani Tshikosi) (“Aaron Burr, Sir”). He quickly impressed them with his skills at public speaking (“My Shot”). While the latter three are all for revolution, Burr is not yet sold on the idea (“The Story of Tonight”).

Meanwhile, the daughters of wealthy land owner Philip Schuyler – Peggy, Angelica and Eliza - go to town and get caught up in the excitement about the upcoming rebellion (“The Schuyler Sisters”) as loyalist bishop Samuel Seabury (Alex Dreschke) argues against revolution (“Farmer Refuted”) and King George III insists on his total authority (“You’ll Be Back”).

At a ball hosted by the Schuylers, Hamilton meets Eliza and the two fall in love and are soon wed. Not long after this Hamilton is serving as George Washington’s aide-de-camp where he spends his day begging the Continental Congress for funds vital to fight the war (“Right Hand Man”). Hamilton is later caught by Washington aiding Laurens in a duel (“Ten Duel Commandments”) and is suspended. He returns home to find Eliza pregnant with their first child, Philip.

Lafayette convinces Washington to recall Hamilton and give him a field command for the Battle of Yorktown. Hamilton works with Lafayette while learning that Mulligan is a spy. Using this information they trap the British and with a decisive battle end the war at last. Following the end of the war, Burr and Hamilton both become fathers, both become lawyers and Hamilton is picked by Washington instead of Burr to be Secretary of the Treasury.

With its excellent eleven piece orchestra and the fine singing voices of the cast this show is an excellent evening of musical theater. Even though some of the key parts were played by understudies for opening night (Nathan Haydel for Alexander Hamilton, Hosea Mundi for Aaron Burr, Desmond Nunn for John Laurens/Philip Hamilton, Elvie Ellis for King George III and Jorge Guerra for George Eaker) you would never know the difference. This is how strong this cast is. Special note to A.D. Weaver as George Washington for his commanding performance and Lauren Mariasoosay as Eliza Hamilton with her superb singing voice. Jared Howelton gets a special nod for his double portrayal of the over the top Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. Lastly, Elvie Ellis as a hilariously cultured King George III who steals the show.

David Korin’s scenic design is superb and functional with a rough textured look that works well. Paul Tazewell’s costuming is spot on. As mentioned above, Nevin Steinberg sound design is superb and made the show that much more enjoyable. Likewise, Howell Binkley lighting design helped set the proper moods and added drama. Charles G. LaPointe sees that everyone has the proper period wigs and hair design. The show is smartly directed by Thomas Kail with brilliant choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler.

With the current state of political turmoil in this country we need a reminder of the courage it took to form this country in the first place. This is a truly inspirational show that illustrates we are not a country ruled by an uncaring king. With 34 songs and weighing in at two hours and forty minutes (that includes the intermission) it might not be suitable for the very young. The rest of us will love it. 8647!

The Playhouse Square production of “Hamilton” will be on stage at the KeyBank State Theatre at Playhouse Square through July 6, 2025. For tickets and information go to http://www.playhousesquare.org or call (216) 241-6000.