Oh how lucky we are to be alive right now!
It’s official! History is happening in Manila as the critically acclaimed, box-office hit, and award-winning theatrical sensation Hamilton is coming to the Philippines this year. We know you’re already hyped up, so here’s what to know so far.
Related: You Shouldn’t Miss These Plays And Musicals Coming To The Philippines This 2023
THE REVOLUTION IS COMING TO MANILA
Remember when a Pinoy Hamilfan asked Hamilton’s official Twitter page in 2019 to come to Manila and they optimistically replied? Well, three years later and that wish has finally come through as the beloved, trailblazing, hip-hop musical is going to grace the archipelago with its magic.
A day after GMG Productions posted a teaser video featuring Hamilton creator and star Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Tagalog greeting that shook the Filipino Hamilfans, an official announcement followed with Lin finally breaking to everyone the news. “I’m so excited to officially announce that Hamilton will be making its Asian premiere in the Philippines,” Lin says in the video.
He adds that the “Hamilton pamilya” has had so many incredibly talented Filipino company members and that he couldn’t be more excited to bring the show to the country. Where and when is it happening, you ask? Well, while there’s no exact dates yet, Lin has revealed that Hamilton will hold its premiere in September at The Theater at Solaire. While the cast members are yet to be announced, it’s confirmed that it will be drawn from performers all around the world.
“We could not be more excited to be hosting Hamilton’s Asian premiere in Manila,” GMG Productions’ CEO Carlos Candal said. For years, GMGP has brought numerous world-renowned international plays to the region including CATS, RSC’s Matilda, Disney’s The Lion King, Les Misérables, MAMMA MIA!, WICKED, The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, which recently concluded its Manila run. “We know we have a passionate Hamilton fan base who is absolutely thrilled that the show is coming later this year. We know Pinoy Hamilfans will not disappoint!”
The Hamilton Impact
It was in 2015, when Hamilton first captivated audiences in Broadway and has ever since become part of the 21st century zeitgeist. Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton, it chronicles the complex and colorful story of the United States founding father.
Seven years in the making, Hamilton is told in a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and musical theater, with a book, music and lyrics by Lin Manuel-Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire.
The musical went on to make history, earning a record-breaking 16 Tony Awards nominations and 11 wins, including Best Musical. It also made Broadway box office history in 2016 as the play with the highest earnings in a week. Hamilton’s original Broadway cast album also won the Best Musical Theater Album prize at the 58th Grammy Awards and even topped Billboard’s Rap Albums chart, the first Broadway musical to ever do so. Hamilton also received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2016. A filmed Broadway production was also released for streaming on Disney+ in 2020.
Throughout the years, Hamilton has also held shows around the world including the UK, Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia and its first non-English production in Germany last year. Its first-ever international tour will begin in Auckland, New Zealand, this coming May before going to Manila for the start of its Asian leg.
“Hamilton’s fans from the Philippines have been telling us for years how much they want to see the show, many of them have travelled to see it all over the world. It is a thrill to, finally, be able to bring it to them,” says Michael Cassel, producer of the international tour of Hamilton. “Hamilton is musical theatre at its most innovative, original and transformative best. It is an absolute joy to be able to bring it to Asia for the first time and to assemble a cast of the best performers from all over the world to deliver it.”
And speaking of Filipino talent in the Hamilfam, Filipina pop star Rachelle Ann Go became a part of Hamilton’s original West End cast in 2017 as Eliza Schuyler with Filipina-British theater actress Christine Allado. Will they reprise their role in the Manila production? Fingers crossed!
We know that you couldn’t wait to sing your hearts out to My Shot, A Winter’s Ball, Helpless, Satisfied, and well, Alexander Hamilton, so don’t throw away your shot and head over to GMGP and Hamilton‘s official websites to sign up to the waitlist for presale access. Tickets will be on sale on April 24, exclusively via TicketWorld. Follow Hamilton International Tour’s Instagram and Facebook pages and stay tuned to other official announcements.
Continue Reading: Curtains Up: These Stars Hit The Stage For Musical Theater
