Hamilton Is Coming to Broadway

February 26, 2015

I still remember the day at the office when I heard that Andy Blankenbuehler was going to choreograph for a hip-hop musical about Alexander Hamilton. Interesting, I thought, sincerely intrigued, yet skeptical. An urbanized song-and-dance story about the American Revolution? What an odd choice for a Broadway-aimed show.

But hey, crazier things have happened. The Book of Mormon, about Morman missionaries, took home nine Tony Awards and has been selling out seats since it opened in 2011, including those of two national tours and a West End show.

In July, Hamilton will make its way to Broadway after glowing reviews and an extended run at The Public Theater in New York City, according to a press release from the performance venue. Spring Awakening‘s Jonathan Groff will play King George III. There’s no word on the rest of its casting yet, but the Public Theater version has plenty of top-notch dancers, like Betsy Struxness and Seth Stuart. For now, Hamilton will play at The Public through May 3, but tickets are sold out for the remainder of the run. Broadway previews begin July 13 and it opens on August 6.

Until then, get a sense of the musical—from how Blankenbuehler came into the project to how he effectively choreographed war scenes with an ensemble of just 12—in our Q&A with the choreographer from our January issue when Hamilton first opened.

 

P.S. Do schools still show kids this “Schoolhouse Rock” video to teach them about the American Revolution? Maybe Hamilton will become the new standard.

 

 

 

 

Top photo by Joan Marcus.