Behind on the Hamilton boat
October 28, 2015 8:26 AM Subscribe
I want to get tickets to Hamilton for my partner's birthday this December. Apparently it's sold out until next summer. Are the resale tickets okay? If I get tickets in the summer, will it still be the original cast?
Sigh. Apparently my partner has discovered and become obsessed with the Hamilton soundtrack. I'd love to get tickets for him but there doesn't seem to be anything available legitimately until July. I am thinking of getting resale tickets from Ticketmaster, or just get tickets in July.
I saw this note on their website " Javier Muñoz will play the role of Alexander Hamilton during the following performances:Saturday Matinees: March 28, 2016 - September 3, 2016.
Sunday Matinees: Now thru March 27, 2016."
^ Does this mean the original cast member will still be performing on a Saturday evening or Sunday matinee in July?
Sigh. Apparently my partner has discovered and become obsessed with the Hamilton soundtrack. I'd love to get tickets for him but there doesn't seem to be anything available legitimately until July. I am thinking of getting resale tickets from Ticketmaster, or just get tickets in July.
I saw this note on their website " Javier Muñoz will play the role of Alexander Hamilton during the following performances:Saturday Matinees: March 28, 2016 - September 3, 2016.
Sunday Matinees: Now thru March 27, 2016."
^ Does this mean the original cast member will still be performing on a Saturday evening or Sunday matinee in July?
Response by poster: That is super helpful, thank you! There are some regular tickets available on June 1 (Wed, matinee; nothing else before then). Is there any way to know if Miranda will be performing then?
(Partner is super wanting to hear the original because of the soundtrack..)
posted by inevitability at 8:44 AM on October 28, 2015
(Partner is super wanting to hear the original because of the soundtrack..)
posted by inevitability at 8:44 AM on October 28, 2015
The Tonys are June 5 - the show is going to get nominated left and right and Miranda himself is really likely to pick up an individual nomination, so just logically speaking it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense to depart the show and not be performing the week before the awards. There's of course, no way to guarantee he won't get sick or take a performance off!
posted by superfluousm at 8:48 AM on October 28, 2015
posted by superfluousm at 8:48 AM on October 28, 2015
There are no guarantees. That is a long time to keep an original cast, especially in a cast where several of the actors have other jobs. (On preview, I have heard the same thing about the Tonys, but there's still no guarantees.)
That note strongly suggests that Lin-Manuel Miranda will be there at those times, but I think that might be coming from a place of modest optimism. A lot could happen between now and then. There are money trucks backing up to his door even as we speak. But also he could just be sick on the day. He and Beyonce missed each other last week because he was out sick. That's Broadway.
But it will still be an amazing show. People get hyper-focused on being "first" but it's fine, the show develops and gets better over time, it's not a loss to see someone else play the part. If it's going to break your partner's heart and waste all that money if LMM isn't there, it might be better to wait for the movie.
I can't even imagine what resale tickets are going for. Obviously it's an option, but you're still not going to get a written guarantee that you're going to get to see a particular actor in a part.
posted by Lyn Never at 8:49 AM on October 28, 2015 [5 favorites]
That note strongly suggests that Lin-Manuel Miranda will be there at those times, but I think that might be coming from a place of modest optimism. A lot could happen between now and then. There are money trucks backing up to his door even as we speak. But also he could just be sick on the day. He and Beyonce missed each other last week because he was out sick. That's Broadway.
But it will still be an amazing show. People get hyper-focused on being "first" but it's fine, the show develops and gets better over time, it's not a loss to see someone else play the part. If it's going to break your partner's heart and waste all that money if LMM isn't there, it might be better to wait for the movie.
I can't even imagine what resale tickets are going for. Obviously it's an option, but you're still not going to get a written guarantee that you're going to get to see a particular actor in a part.
posted by Lyn Never at 8:49 AM on October 28, 2015 [5 favorites]
Is there any way to know if Miranda will be performing then?
The odds are good, I think, but there is no way to know for sure. For example, earlier this month it was announced that Andrew Rannells was taking over for Jonathan Groff for November because Groff had tv commitments, that's not a lot of notice. Lin-Manuel Miranda just took a performance or two off because he was sick, that's even less notice.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 8:49 AM on October 28, 2015
The odds are good, I think, but there is no way to know for sure. For example, earlier this month it was announced that Andrew Rannells was taking over for Jonathan Groff for November because Groff had tv commitments, that's not a lot of notice. Lin-Manuel Miranda just took a performance or two off because he was sick, that's even less notice.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 8:49 AM on October 28, 2015
I don't understand where you're looking that says it's sold out? I'm on the tickemaster page right now and there are venue tickets available in February onwards.
I get not wanting to pay $350 per ticket though.
posted by poffin boffin at 8:53 AM on October 28, 2015
I get not wanting to pay $350 per ticket though.
posted by poffin boffin at 8:53 AM on October 28, 2015
Are the resale tickets okay?
Official ones (not craigslist, I mean tickets sold through the official channels) are fine. If you are in NY, or planning a trip up there, resale ticket prices often drop shortly before showtime (local friends have gotten great deals this way). There is also the lottery, which typically comes with a show of its own (#ham4ham)
posted by everybody had matching towels at 8:54 AM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Official ones (not craigslist, I mean tickets sold through the official channels) are fine. If you are in NY, or planning a trip up there, resale ticket prices often drop shortly before showtime (local friends have gotten great deals this way). There is also the lottery, which typically comes with a show of its own (#ham4ham)
posted by everybody had matching towels at 8:54 AM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm on the tickemaster page right now and there are venue tickets available in February onwards.
Those are largely resale and premium seats.
inevitability, don't forget there is also a #Ham4Ham lottery. I mean, those chances are super small, but if you show up with an army of people aiming to get tickets for just 2 people, that might work, also. And cancellation line DEFINITELY works if you are the first person there. Be willing to pay $455 per ticket though.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:56 AM on October 28, 2015
Those are largely resale and premium seats.
inevitability, don't forget there is also a #Ham4Ham lottery. I mean, those chances are super small, but if you show up with an army of people aiming to get tickets for just 2 people, that might work, also. And cancellation line DEFINITELY works if you are the first person there. Be willing to pay $455 per ticket though.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:56 AM on October 28, 2015
But it will still be an amazing show. People get hyper-focused on being "first" but it's fine, the show develops and gets better over time, it's not a loss to see someone else play the part.
Yes, this too. Lyn Never's whole comment is a really good one that captures an aspect of things I didn't speak to, at all. Given what a phenomenon the show is, most of the cast are probably not in a rush to move on, but they're almost definitely getting offers. There's just no guarantee, so if you get the tickets maybe you can try for some expectations management?
With Miranda in particular, it's really cool to see him since the role is his vision in the first place, but I think there are stronger musical theater performers. He's funny and energetic and a good actor but he's not as strong a singer as others; I think seeing that title role in the hands of someone with different strengths would be incredible on its own.
posted by superfluousm at 8:56 AM on October 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yes, this too. Lyn Never's whole comment is a really good one that captures an aspect of things I didn't speak to, at all. Given what a phenomenon the show is, most of the cast are probably not in a rush to move on, but they're almost definitely getting offers. There's just no guarantee, so if you get the tickets maybe you can try for some expectations management?
With Miranda in particular, it's really cool to see him since the role is his vision in the first place, but I think there are stronger musical theater performers. He's funny and energetic and a good actor but he's not as strong a singer as others; I think seeing that title role in the hands of someone with different strengths would be incredible on its own.
posted by superfluousm at 8:56 AM on October 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yes, I've only seen Lin in the part, but apparently Javier is really wonderful. We're going back to see Andrew Rannells (not intentional but happy!) next month.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:59 AM on October 28, 2015
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:59 AM on October 28, 2015
I'm going to a Saturday matinee during the window of time where it'll be Javier Muñoz, and was trying to decide if I cared enough to try to catch LMM instead. Thanks for the reassurance that I don't.
posted by librarina at 9:01 AM on October 28, 2015
posted by librarina at 9:01 AM on October 28, 2015
Those are largely resale and premium seats.
Yeah, the pink ones are resale but the rest of them are venue-sold seats, some of which are $160.
posted by poffin boffin at 9:09 AM on October 28, 2015
Yeah, the pink ones are resale but the rest of them are venue-sold seats, some of which are $160.
posted by poffin boffin at 9:09 AM on October 28, 2015
I just bought tickets for Hamilton. I looked at tickets on Ticketmaster and on StubHub. For the dates I wanted, there were only resale tickets. I felt comfortable buying the resale tickets through Ticketmaster, but they are pricey. I did make sure to book a date that looks like Lin-Manuel will be doing the lead, but as people have said, he was out all last week for sickness so there is no way to be 100% sure.
posted by bove at 10:39 AM on October 28, 2015
posted by bove at 10:39 AM on October 28, 2015
Something else that may happen, given the profile of Hamilton, is that as the original cast leaves they may very well be replaced with big deal names, at least in limited engagements. Obviously, there's no guarantee of that either, but...consider the possibilities.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:07 AM on October 28, 2015
posted by Lyn Never at 11:07 AM on October 28, 2015
I just bought a pair of $160 tickets for April last week. It's tedious, but I went through every single performance for two months. The ones I got weren't the only $160 tickets I saw while I was searching, just the best ones for my needs. There are still $160 tickets in the spring, especially on Wednesday matinees if you can take the day off work.
As to cast, I've heard that one-year initial contracts are standard for Broadway shows, but I don't know if the year runs from previews or opening or how standard "standard" is. I suspect most or all of the cast will be there through the Tony's but I have no special knowledge.
Javier isn't an understudy, he's an alternate. Word of mouth on his performance is excellent.
Finally, if you do resale, stick to Ticketmaster. Craigslist and stubhub have had counterfeits.
posted by Mavri at 11:20 AM on October 28, 2015
As to cast, I've heard that one-year initial contracts are standard for Broadway shows, but I don't know if the year runs from previews or opening or how standard "standard" is. I suspect most or all of the cast will be there through the Tony's but I have no special knowledge.
Javier isn't an understudy, he's an alternate. Word of mouth on his performance is excellent.
Finally, if you do resale, stick to Ticketmaster. Craigslist and stubhub have had counterfeits.
posted by Mavri at 11:20 AM on October 28, 2015
I have a ticket got for resale through ticketmaster - including tax, it's 180, which is not that much more than venue tickets I think.
posted by corb at 11:54 AM on October 28, 2015
posted by corb at 11:54 AM on October 28, 2015
this article with leslie odom jr (burr) suggests he'll be there for a year (as of august).
posted by nadawi at 1:47 PM on October 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by nadawi at 1:47 PM on October 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
Just putting in a +1 that, yes, LMM is great, but what I find even more amazing is that he didn't give himself all the best material in the show. The writing is so strong, I'm sure you and your partner will have a blast whoever is in it that day. That said, I totally understand the desire to "time it out" properly. Good luck!
posted by Zephyrial at 3:32 PM on October 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Zephyrial at 3:32 PM on October 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
I saw Javier Muñoz in the role and thought he was outstanding. It took me a few listens to the soundtrack to stop hearing the songs in my head in his voice and come around to LMM in the role.
posted by icaicaer at 5:10 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by icaicaer at 5:10 PM on October 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks everyone!! I got tickets for the summer, good seats at a not heart-stopping price. :)
posted by inevitability at 6:32 PM on October 28, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by inevitability at 6:32 PM on October 28, 2015 [4 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
The understudy note you mention is kind of an edge case - that arrangement was put into place fairly early in the show's run, I understand it, to keep Lin-Manuel Miranda from for real dying of exhaustion onstage one right. As it stands now, Miranda plays Hamilton in all the other shows, but when he leaves, it seems overwhelmingly likely Muñoz will take over the role full-time. If you absolutely want to see Miranda, I'd look into resale tickets for a date before the Tony Awards.
(But for what it's worth, I've heard Muñoz is amazing in the role!)
posted by superfluousm at 8:39 AM on October 28, 2015 [2 favorites]