HamiltonTour

Review of the Hamiltour in LA

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After watching the original cast at the Public and on Broadway several times, I got to experience the Hamilton tour in Los Angeles at the Pantages Theater during previews and again at the September 10, 2017 show.  I’m going one more time in December, but wanted to share my thoughts on the LA production.

The touring production went all out with the set design and costumes.  The set design was elaborate, perfectly complementing the choreography.  The ensemble was fantastic both times I saw the show, and they utilized the spacing of the stage in such a cool way.

You have to appreciate costume designer Paul Tazewell’s eye for detail, especially with how the costumes subtly change over time to show the trends of the decade involved.

I really enjoyed watching the touring cast put their own spin on the show.  Each actor added their own unique flourishes to the characters and songs.  Julia Harriman, who was substituting for Eliza on September 10th really captured the spirit of Eliza Hamilton and has an amazing voice.  Emmy Raver-Lampman, who was always an eye-catching dancer in the ensemble of the original Broadway cast, made a fantastic Angelica.  The entire cast was able to make the material their own rather than imitating others who have performed it before.

Whether you saw the show and want more Hamilton, or you didn’t get tickets, check out my post on how to get your Hamilton fix in Los Angeles.

Getting Your Hamilton Fix in Los Angeles!

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Now that the Hamilton Tour has arrived in Los Angeles, excitement is building!  Here are some thoughts on experiencing Hamilton-esque exhibits in Los Angeles before or after you get your fix of the musical at the Pantages.  While Hamilton obviously never lived in Los Angeles (although one of his sons is buried in Northern California), there are several places in town to see art and exhibits that relate to Hamilton and his era.

  • LACMA (The Los Angeles County Museum of Art) in Mid-Wilshire has a sculpture bust of Hamilton’s mentor called the “Portrait of George Washington” by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon on view at the Art of the Americas building.  Although Houdon did not create a sculpt of Hamilton, he portrayed many of his contemporaries featured in the musical, including Thomas Jefferson and the marquis de Lafayette.

    LACMA Collection Information
  • The Becoming America exhibit at the Huntington Library in Pasadena has a collection of 18th- and early 19th-century American art works, including paintings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, metal, needlework, and other related decorative arts.  Every day art and objects from Hamilton’s time are available as part of this collection.

Becoming America: Becoming America: Highlights from the Jonathan and Karin Fielding Collection

  • The American Heritage Library and Museum in Glendale, operated by the Sons of the Revolution in the State of California has a collection of historical objects and artifacts of the colonial and early periods of America’s history.  The museum is free of charge and open to the public.