Theater
An exhibition devoted to ‘Hamilton’ will open in Chicago this fall
Coming soon to a Northerly Island near you.
A mainstream crossover hit like no Broadway show in years, the musical Hamilton frames the history of America’s first treasury secretary and the country’s founding as an immigrant story performed by actors of color, with a score tinged with modern hip-hop, R&B and pop music. Since opening at New York’s Public Theater in early 2015 and transferring to Broadway that summer, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s singular sensation has racked up awards including nearly a dozen Tonys and the Pulitzer Prize, while ticket prices skyrocketed on the resale market as celebrities from the Knowles-Carters to the Obamas stopped in to see the show.
While Broadway audiences continue to go ham for Hamilton, Chicago became the second city ever to see the show when a new sit-down production opened at the PrivateBank Theatre in the fall of 2016. (In September 2017, the PrivateBank Theatre was renamed CIBC Theatre after sponsor the PrivateBank was acquired.) Here's what you need to know about the hottest musical in Chicago, including casting, how to get Hamilton Chicago tickets (good luck!), and what to do in the Loop before and after the show.
What is Hamilton?
Hamilton is a musical with book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. It is directed by Thomas Kail. It began Broadway previews on July 13, 2015 and opened on August 6, 2015. Hamilton Chicago began previews on September 27, 2016 and opened on October 19, 2016.
Where is Hamilton Chicago playing?
Hamilton plays at Broadway in Chicago’s CIBC Theatre located at 18 W Monroe St between State and Dearborn streets.
When is Hamilton Chicago playing?
Hamilton Chicago plays eight times a week, generally on the following schedule: Tuesdays at 7:30pm; Wednesdays at 1:30 and 7:30pm; Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 2 and 8pm; and Sundays at 2pm. Check with the box office for any variations, particularly during holiday weeks.
How do I get tickets to Hamilton Chicago?
Tickets to Hamilton in Chicago are sold online by Ticketmaster. They can also be purchased by phone (800-775-2000) or in person at the CIBC Theatre box office. Tickets cost $65–$190, with premium tickets reaching significantly higher along with “some increased pricing around the holidays,” in the words of lead producer Jeffrey Seller. Tickets are currently on sale through January 20, 2019.
The Broadway production’s #Ham4Ham online lottery has also transferred to the Chicago production. As of September 2017, the lottery changed from day-of-show to two days in advance: The lottery for each performance opens at 11am two days prior and closes at 9am the day before, and winners will be notified by 11am the day before the show. Enter online at hamiltonbroadway.com/lotto or via the mobile app (downloadable at hamiltonbroadway.com/app). If you’re looking to buy last-minute and don't want to risk losing the lottery, services like HotTix or TodayTix may eventually have ticket offers as the run goes on. You can also try your luck on the secondary or resale market.
How long is Hamilton?
The running time of Hamilton is approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, with one intermission.
Time Out Chicago’s opening-night Hamilton review
“Let’s not mince words, since we’ve already spilled so many of them: Hamilton, writer-composer-lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda’s biography of Alexander Hamilton as refracted through a hip-hop, pop and R&B lens, is a sprawling, stunning, singular achievement.” Read Kris Vire’s full five-star opening-night review.
Who is in Hamilton Chicago?
As of May 2018, the current Chicago cast of Hamilton includes Gregory Treco (Aaron Burr), Miguel Cervantes (Alexander Hamilton), Jamila Sabares-Klemm (Eliza Hamilton), Montego Glover (Angelica Schuyler), Colby Lewis (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Wallace Smith (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison), Jonathan Kirkland (George Washington), Andrew Call (King George III), Aubin Wise (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds) and Jose Ramos (John Laurens/Phillip Hamilton). The ensemble includes Sam Aberman, Aaron Alexander, Remmie Bourgeois, Brittany Campbell, Chloë Campbell, Yossi Chaikin, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Hope Endrenyi, John Michael Fiumara, Jean Godsend Floradin, Michael Samarie George, Amber Jackson, Jimmie “JJ” Jeter, Malik Shabazz Kitchen, Mallory Michaellann, Dashí Mitchell, Sheridan Mouawad, Samantha Pollino, Candace Quarrels, Antuan Magic Raimone, Jose Rosario Jr., Willie Smith III, Gabriella Sorrentino, Kyle Weiler and Tommar Wilson.
The opening-night Chicago cast of Hamilton included Joshua Henry (Aaron Burr), Miguel Cervantes (Alexander Hamilton), Ari Afsar (Eliza Hamilton), Karen Olivo (Angelica Schuyler), Chris Lee (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Wallace Smith (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison), Jonathan Kirkland (George Washington), Alexander Gemignani (King George III), Samantha Marie Ware (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds) and Jose Ramos (John Laurens/Phillip Hamilton). Joseph Morales was the alternate Alexander Hamilton at matinees and certain other performances.
Henry departed in January 2017 to lead the national touring company that launched in California, and was replaced by Wayne Brady from January 17 to April 9, 2017; Aaron Burr was played by Daniel Breaker (Passing Strange, Shrek the Musical) into August 2017, after which he took over the same role in the Broadway company; Gregory Treco began playing Burr in Chicago on September 8.
Olivo ended her run as Angelica Schuyler on August 6, 2017, and was replaced by Tony Award nominee Montego Glover (Memphis) in early September.
From top, left to right: Miguel Cervantes, Joshua Henry, Karen Olivo, Ari Afsar, Chris Lee, Wallace Smith, Jonathan Kirkland, Jose Ramos, Samantha Marie Ware
The opening-night ensemble included Sam Aberman, Jose Amore, Amber Ardolino, Remmie Bourgeois, Chloë Campbell, Joseph Chaikin, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, John Michael Fiumara, Jean Godsend Floradin, Aaron Gordon, Jin Ha, Holly James, Malik Kitchen, Colby Lewis, Dashi Mitchell, Justice Moore, Samantha Pollino, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Gabriella Sorrentino and Aubin Wise.
Hamilton creative team
• Thomas Kail - Director
• Andy Blankenbuehler - Choreographer
• Alex Lacamoire - Music Director and Orchestrator
• David Korins – Scenic Design
• Paul Tazewell – Costume Design
• Howell Binkley – Lighting Design
• Jason Crystal – Sound Design
• Lin-Manuel Miranda – Book, Music and Lyrics
• Inspired by the book Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
