The Start of my Hamilfan Story
2015 – One boring day at school, my friend, Daniel, told me about this musical that doesn’t sound like any musicals we’re used to listening. “It’s called ‘Hamilton’.” He said and played the first iconic song amongst the entire iconic album. That moment changed my life.
I’m not a fan of musicals, but I do like music in general. And so, as the broke student that I am, I downloaded a copy of the entire album and listened to it over and over and over again. I never got tired of it.
I first learned “Satisfied” which still remains my favourite out of all the songs. I’d look for performances online, and I’d copy whatever Angelica did on stage in my room. I’d search for the lyrics and sing along with it. I cried, still do, when I sing when I sing “At least I keep his eyes in my life…”
Then I found King George’s songs very whimsical, those are the next ones I learned. Especially, “You’ll Be Back” which I used to use as a theme song for my crush who hasn’t batted me an eye. Not long from then, I learned the songs to both the acts.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musicality and love for rap gave us a reason to look into lessons we’d probably sleep through during History class (I know I would). The first time I listened to the album, I had to Google who Alexander Hamilton is and why does he have his own musical? (You can read this article here.)
One of my dreams was to watch Hamilton live, and at that time, it seemed impossible. New York was on the other side of the globe and I wasn’t financially stable enough to buy tickets without thinking how I’d get to the office for two weeks.
Although feeling helpless, I still listened to it all the time. While commuting, while working, while journaling. I even had it as my wallpaper in the past. It has always reminded me that “There’s a million things I haven’t done” and that “I am not throwing away my shot.”
In 2018, I finally had some money to buy the book LMM wrote about the entire play. It has been read occasionally. I mostly focused on the annotations written beside the songs. It was always fun to know the thought process of each artists whenever they create their art.
I am Not Throwing Away My Shot
Eight years after I learned about Hamilton, 2023, it was announced that Hamilton will start its Asian leg in the Philippines, and above all, our very own Rachelle Ann Go is casted as Eliza! Imagine how happy Hamilfans can be!
When the ticket started selling, my friend, Amiel, was happy to lend me her credit card to buy a ticket for Hamilton. There was a special opportunity for Citibank holders to buy tickets before everyone else. I immediately said yes and have her buy me a VIP seat. I wouldn’t miss this chance of a lifetime!
Four months have passed, and…
I got to be in The Room Where It Happens
I woke up 6 hours before the show starts to make sure I wasn’t late. In between the smog, the vog, and the rainshowers, my friends, Ton, Em, and Eevan, supportedly accompanied me to the venue and ensure I got there safely and on time.
I went in the theatre 10 minutes before the show started. I’m alone which made all the experience much more impactful. I was just smiling the entire time I was waiting for King George’s voice, and when he finally spoke, I sat comfortably in my seat and followed the King’s order to “enjoy the show.”
Every minute of it was magical. This is the hardest “Try Not to Sing Along” challenge I’ve ever been in, and I’m only half successful. I was rapping, singing, dancing, and crying in my seat. All the things I did whenever I watch Hamilton on Disney plus and listen to the entire album on Netflix.
The Philippine tour introduces us to new actors and voices which made me reexperience another first Hamilmoment all over again like it was 2015.
Here are 5 Things I Loved (among a thousand more):
Watching Rachelle Ann Go in a Philippine Stage again
This may be an unknown fact for younger Filipinos, but Rachelle Ann Go is a celebrated performer in the Philippines. I remember listening to her renditions of Don’t Cry Out Loud and Paano and getting frustrated that I don’t get to sing as well as her. I’m beyond delighted to know a Filipina is in the stage performing with one of the most iconic musical.
Hearing Rachelle sing “Burn”
I’ve always just listened to Philippa Soo’s burn in the album an don the Disney plus version. This is my first time listening to another Eliza sing it and the crowd went wild!
Hearing Akina Edmonds for the first time
Akina Edmonds is Angelica Schuyler of Hamilton Australia and now, she has graced this archipelago as the Angelica of the Philippine run as well. I particularly loved how she performed It’s Quiet Uptown. I know I did, because I was crying until the song was over.
DeAundre’ Woods’ Breakdown About not Being in the Room
The character of Aaron Burr, in my opinion, has large shoes to fill! Burr has such powerful songs in Hamilton as the narrator of the story. Upon hearing DeAundre’ in the first song, I was like “Ooh… This is gonna be good.” Come act 2, I was sitting at the edge of my seat while watching him perform “The Room where it Happens.” I’m happy to have learned about new artists.
Seeing all the details live
There are a lot of details in Hamilton that cannot be enjoyed through a screen. As someone who studied 3 units of Introduction to Theatre, it amazes me to see the smaller details like how the props are being brought in and out of the scene; the characters in the different parts of the stage and how consistently act even without the spotlight. My particular favourite is watching King George dancing before he comes down to throw papers in Hamilton’s during “The Reynolds Pamphlet.”
Should you watch Hamilton? Yes. Without thinking, YES
If you’re Filipino and thinking if you should watch Hamilton, I suggest you go and watch it. This may be a good introduction to musicals, personally, it was really good introduction. I got interested in watching other musicals and singing more, too. Based on the Hamilton website, the Philippine leg will run until 2024, but TicketWorld says otherwise. Let’s see what happens, and I hope you don’t throw away your shot! ⭐️
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