Unless you are the kind of person who takes your date out to Mcdonald’s for a romantic meal, you’ve probably heard of the highly successful musical Hamilton. Based on the book by Ron Chernow, it was adapted by the ever-talented Mr. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who redefined the genre with catchy tunes, intriguing historical commentary, and, most importantly, a simply wonderful romp through the life of the enigmatic Alexander Hamilton. Nevertheless, musical theater 101 aside, if you plan on watching this show live (you should), it’s not as simple as heading down to your local community theater; you need to plan ahead. Fortunately, this post will teach you everything you need to know in order to get the most from your experience and walk away feeling thoroughly educated and entertained.
Pick The Right Theater For An Optimal Experience
If you are a complete theater novice (theater in the sense of live performances, not that of a cinematographic nature), you should know that the location you choose to watch the show can significantly affect your overall viewing experience. When in the home of the modern musical NYC, this often means taking a trip down the legendary Broadway. This is because, as with most venues here, including the renowned Richard Rodgers Theatre, they are steeped in history, which all adds to the excitement of the show. Moreover, aside from the history and glamour of the place, it must have a great selection of seating, paired with unforgeable acoustics that enable the actors on stage to throw their performances to the farthest reaches of the auditorium.
Buy Tickets Early For The Best Selection
Unless you’ve been living a wilfully ignorant life for the past few years, you will already know the challenges that most lovers of musical theater face when attempting to purchase tickets to this particular show. Consequently, you’ll reap the rewards if you book your ticket plenty of days (som3ehtimnges weeks) in advance. Not only will you forgo the inevitable disappointment and possible divorce that accompanies being unable to get the ticket in question, but you’re also more likely to choose the seat that is closest to the action. You have two choices here:
- Buy directly from the theatre
- Purchase from a reseller
Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but the second choice typically has a higher chance of obtaining a ticket. However, the key to getting the best price and seat selection is getting your tickets as early as possible, regardless of how you buy them.
Make Sure To Arrive Early For The Show
There is a particular hustle and bustle around theatrical shoes in NYC, and as you might imagine, a considerable amount of human and vehicular traffic that accompanies them. If you want to avoid the queues and get settled in before the show begins, you must ensure to leave at your earliest convenience. While this won’t matter too much for those lucky to live nearby (who also will happen to have a large trust fund and chauffeur), you will need to consider how you’ll arrive carefully. You can check online and see the best ways to get to your chosen theater and select the option that offers the highest level of efficiency.
Have Cash Handy For Snacks And Souvenirs
Hamilton is a decently long show clocking in at around 2 hours and 50 minutes. During the performance, there is one 15-minute intermission where you can visit the bathroom to powder your nose or buy some drinks and snacks to replenish your energy before the second act. Although most reputable theaters won’t allow food or drink at your seat (this is a good thing), you can usually purchase some before and after the show, in addition to the intermission mentioned earlier. It’s a good idea to bring plenty of money for pre and post-food and drink, which will really top off your evening.
Get Familiar With The Songs Before The Show
It might sound a bit corny, but you’d be shocked at how much you can increase your enjoyment when you already know the musical number is performed. While no one expects you to become the next Patti LuPone, it can help enhance your fun and will further embed the memories in your mind. Luckily, there is no shortage of musical numbers in Hamilton, with perhaps the most famous being the aptly named “Alexander Hamilton,” with almost 200 million online listens on Spotify.
Check Out The Merchandise After The Show
Most veneers sell a range of merchandise after the show, which you can invest in as keepsakes. Most people will opt for the program or playbill; there are usually lots of other options ranging from t-shirts to the book the play is based on.
Hamilton has become one of the most famous plays of our time in part due to its impeccable choreography, music, and talented actors. However, before you head out to buy a ticket, you should heed the tips outlined here.
