Stage elf
  • FRONT OF HOUSE
  • Stage Directions
    • Finding a Show
    • Choosing a Show
    • Getting a Ticket
    • Choosing a Seat
    • Getting a Discount
    • The Theaters >
      • Broadway
      • Off Broadway
      • Washington, DC
    • Theater Tips
  • Stage Presence: A Blog
  • Stage Door Tips & Tales
    • Stage Door Tales: A Blog
    • Stage Door Stars!
    • Stage Door Tips/Etiquette
    • Stage Door Locations >
      • Stage Doors on Broadway
      • Stage Doors Off Broadway
      • Stage Doors in Washington, DC
  • StageSprites [taking the kids!]
  • UpStage...Theater News Feeds
  • Curtain Call
    • About Me
    • Contact Me

STAGE DOOR TALES

Occasional accounts of post-show adventures
​

#Ham4Elf

12/24/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Stop me if you’ve heard the one about the theater guy who read a 600 page biography of Alexander Hamilton on vacation and turned it into a hip hop, rap musical that’s knocked the colonial socks off of Broadway audiences. Lin-Manuel Miranda (Tony Award winner for In the Heights) is that guy, and trust me, you definitely want to experience this show. Forget your preconceptions about, well, pretty much everything. To paraphrase a classic musical, which just opened its revival on Broadway, “wonder of wonder; miracle of miracles,” Hamilton is a show for the ages. ​And, while there might be several historical debates during Hamilton, as Alexander takes on his rivals, there's no debate that this remarkable show turns theater on its head.

I had the really good fortune to see Hamilton twice during its Off Broadway run at The Public Theater (being a member at The Public Theater ensures that you get introduced to certain new shows, such as Fun Home and Hamilton, early on; I highly recommend it!), and then again a few times on Broadway. Considering I spent much of my first viewing picking my jaw off the ground, the second time allowed me to really appreciate the show. This cast, which has stayed relatively intact over the transfer to the Richard Rodgers theater on Broadway, is brimming with talent and personality, and I had not one, but two stage door meet and greets to enjoy.  More on that below.

But first, on a related note, one of the unique entertainment events this show has brought to Broadway is a sidewalk, stage door mini-performance during the pre-show lottery for same day tickets. The lottery is known as Ham4Ham because, if you're lucky enough to win, the ticket(s) are only $10.  You won't be surprised to learn that over 1000 people have been known to show up for the lottery, so, as A. Ham would say, "don't give away your shot," but don't get your hopes up either! 

There isn't a Ham4Ham show every day, generally just a couple of times a week; but Lin-Manuel Miranda will usually tweet about plans early in the week. When there is a lottery show, what will happen for those few minutes is always a surprise: it could be cast members from other Broadway shows joining Lin, Hamilton cast members showing off other talents, or one of the creative team performing. You can read more about the Ham4Ham shows here, enjoy some of the past shows on YouTube (thanks to Howard Sherman, in particular), and watch the video I took during my personal favorite:

Background: Renee Elise Goldsberry (Anjelica Schuyler) and the three actors who have played King George in the show, Brian d'Arcy James, Jonathan Groff and Andrew Rannells
Back to some Hamilton stage door fun, my take aways from the Broadway version: steel yourself for the crowd; and be aware that the cast comes out the door with most starting from their right and working down the barricade, which means that if you can't get close up near the stage door, try moving down towards the end where some may use that space to exit when they're done. If you aren't successful on your first try, and it's really important to you, you might try coming back another day with your Playbill and waiting at the barricade before the show actually lets out. This is a really enthusiastic, very patient cast, and they do their best to get to everyone.
Picture
In the beginning though, there was the Public Theater lobby (which serves as the stage door there). ​
Here's what happens when A. Ham. gets hold of your cell phone:
And then there were the slightly more dignified meet ups with other cast members:
Picture
The lovely Phillipa Soo, Eliza Hamilton, originally won my fan loyalty after I saw her star in the Off Broadway production of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (currently running at the American Repertory Theater in Boston, and coming to Broadway with Josh Groban in Fall '16)

Picture
The first King George, Brian d'Arcy James (now starring in Broadway's Something Rotten!), with an Alexander cameo just behind.
Aaron Burr in the person of Leslie Odom, Jr.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Daveed Diggs is the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson as you never knew you wanted them to be. 

Picture
And here's the gang after they moved "uptown," where it's not so quiet...
Picture
Alexander Hamilton is surrounded by some pretty amazing talent out there on that stage.  The ensemble members are ace.
Picture

The second King George, Jonathan Groff, having traded crown for bike helmet.

Renée Elise Goldsberry, as Anjelica Schuyler, Hamilton's sister-in-law, is the very definition of class, on and off stage!
Picture
Picture
Chris Jackson signs his George Washington...
Daveed Diggs, Lafayette, Jefferson..by any name, he's a star!
Picture
Picture
Leslie Odom, Jr. makes a dashing stage door exit...
When you have Lin-Manuel Miranda to tell your story, you're going to be remembered! Alexander Hamilton's tale is in good hands, and voice. Thanks Lin!
Picture
0 Comments
    Opening Act
    Curtain Call

    Stage Door Tales

    Every stage door has a story.

    Archives

    December 2015
    May 2015
    June 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    December 2011

    Categories

    All
    Actors
    Adam Guettel
    Ali Mcgraw
    Al Pacino
    American Repertory Theater
    Andrea Martin
    Annaleigh Ashford
    Austin Pendleton
    Benj Pasek
    Ben Vereen
    Bette Midler
    Billy Porter
    Bobby Cannavale
    Bryan Cranston
    Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
    Celebrities
    Celina Carvajal
    Chet Walker
    Choir Boy
    Christopher Macdonald
    Chuck Cooper
    Connie Ray
    Daniel Stewart Sherman
    Deirdre Lovejoy
    Diane Paulus
    Ellyn Marsh
    Erik Altemus
    Fran Lebowitz
    Hands On A Hardbody
    Harvey Fierstein
    Hedwig And The Angry Inch
    Hugh Jackman
    Ill Eat You Last57debdc795
    Jay A Johnsond1e5149c89
    Jennifer Perry
    Jeremy Pope
    Jim Parsons
    John Benjamin Hickey
    John Mcenroe
    Justin Paul
    Kathy Griffin
    Keith Carradine
    Kelly Lynch
    Kinky Boots
    Larry Kramer
    Lena Hall
    Lindsay Mendez
    Marc Shaiman
    Martin Short
    Matthew James Thomas
    Neil Patrick Harris
    Nicholas Ashe
    Opening Night
    Patina Miller
    Peter Scolari
    Pippin
    Rachel Bay Jones
    Richard Schiff
    Scarlett Johansson
    Scott Whitman
    Stage Door
    Stark Sands
    Terrence Mann
    Tom Hanks
    Tommy Tune
    Trip Cullman
    Victor Garber

    RSS Feed

Copyright 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials on these pages, including photographs, other than those clearly attributed to others or found on third-party websites linked to herein, are copyrighted by the the author and owner of this site.  No part of these pages, either text or image may be used for any purpose other than personal use. Therefore, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, for reasons other than personal use, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission.
  • FRONT OF HOUSE
  • Stage Directions
    • Finding a Show
    • Choosing a Show
    • Getting a Ticket
    • Choosing a Seat
    • Getting a Discount
    • The Theaters >
      • Broadway
      • Off Broadway
      • Washington, DC
    • Theater Tips
  • Stage Presence: A Blog
  • Stage Door Tips & Tales
    • Stage Door Tales: A Blog
    • Stage Door Stars!
    • Stage Door Tips/Etiquette
    • Stage Door Locations >
      • Stage Doors on Broadway
      • Stage Doors Off Broadway
      • Stage Doors in Washington, DC
  • StageSprites [taking the kids!]
  • UpStage...Theater News Feeds
  • Curtain Call
    • About Me
    • Contact Me