The top 10 moments in Hamilton that make audiences absolutely lose their sh*t

The first "hell yeah!" moment happens 80 seconds into the show, and it's one of the biggest. Hamilton opens with a rapid-fire summary of its titular hero's life until the moment he left the British West Indies for New York at the age of 19. The first to speak is, fittingly, Hamilton's frenemy Aaron Burr, who is the other major character (or some might say the real protagonist) of this supreme two-hander. War hero and Hamilton confidante John Laurens has the next line, followed by fellow Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. 

And then... the man himself. Alexander Hamilton steps downstage into the spotlight to introduce himself to the crowd, who inevitably bring the show to a complete stop with wild applause. Jason Arrow, who played Hamilton so brilliantly in the original Australian production, came to expect the adoration that comes with the line and waited, flashing that million-dollar smile, until the audience was finally ready to let him continue. It's electrifying. 

'My Shot' is the 'I wish' song of Hamilton, where firebrand Hamilton and his revolutionary friends Hercules Mulligan, John Laurens and the Marquis de Lafayette outline their vision for a better tomorrow. The song is stirring and rousing, and audiences are left revved up and ready to take up arms against their oppressors. Or at least, ready to give the brilliant cast of Hamilton a show-stopping round of thunderous applause.

We meet Angelica Schuyler, Hamilton's sister-in-law, "looking for a mind at work". She's been reading Thomas Paine's Common Sense, along with the newly drafted Declaration of Independence. In it Thomas Jefferson famously wrote: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." But Angelica has some notes for dear old Thomas, who seems to have entirely forgotten about half of the population. 

Angelica is a huge fan favourite, and that line never fails to land. In fact, the real Angelica Schuyler did meet Thomas Jefferson, and the two became close friends. Whether or not she suggested a feminist reframing of the Declaration is left to the imagination. 

Brent Ashley Hill was absolutely hilarious as villainous, somewhat clueless King George III in the original Australian cast of Hamilton. There’s a delicious campiness in his slow, malicious delivery as he milks every line. Audiences absolutely eat it up, gleefully joining the "dah dah dee dah dah" group sing. Bonus: if you don't know the words, that's no worries, as it's more about the tune.

Alexander Hamilton is now among America's most famous Founding Fathers, thanks to the roaring success of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical. But before old Alex had his own star turn, everyone's favourite Founding Father (well, the one most people could name) was undoubtedly George Washington, the first president of the United States and the general usually credited with winning the Revolutionary War against Great Britain. Aaron Burr is introducing the famed Washington to not only the company on stage but to the audience as well. And the audience is certainly receptive, thrilled to meet the war hero.

Despite its title, Hamilton really is a two-hander. Aaron Burr, plagued by doubts, insecurities and an unquenchable jealousy, is the perfect foil to charismatic playboy Hamilton. Burr is a fascinating character, trying to build his own legacy while being constantly sidelined by his more outgoing frenemy. He has far more to do musically, and the song 'Wait For It' is one of the most beautiful in the show. In the hands of incredible Burrs the world over, this ballad is infused with an aching pathos that moves even the hardest of hearts. Audiences who have seen the show before are definitely, well, waiting for this moment. 

The opening notes of ‘The Room Where it Happens’ have fast become one of the most recognisable musical intros in theatre history, and this moment always gets the crowd roaring. This is the big, 11 o’clock number where it all goes down, and we’re just lucky to be in the room.

There are three moments in Hamilton that get the most rapturous applause. The first is Alexander Hamilton's entrance, and this is the second. Miranda has described the musical as "the story of America then, told by America now", and this line is emblematic of this premise. The line is one that hit especially hard in the United States during the Trump years, but Australia's own history with asylum seekers means it's just as relevant here as anywhere. The story of a nation that opens its arms to people all over the world to do their best and make their mark for a better future could as easily be our own Lucky Country as America. Just like the US, Australia doesn't always live up to that promise – but this line reminds us that we should.  

This is the third of the most fist-punching lines in the show, and it comes in the same song as "immigrants. We get the job done." But while Hamilton and Lafayette's line speaks to the angels of our better nature, this one is pure cathartic joy. Whether it's the unexpected delight of hearing the word 'fuck' said by a man in a frock coat and buckle shoes or Shaka Cook from the original cast’s exuberant delivery, the line has always killed in Australia. But after lockdown the line has taken on an even deeper resonance, speaking to the resilience of the arts after one of the most difficult periods in Australian history. Hell yes.

This moment is less about the line and more about the silence. Betrayed by her husband's philandering (and, worse, inability to keep quiet about it), Eliza Hamilton hits Alexander where it hurts most: his legacy. She burns the letters he sent to her so future historians won't have access to their innermost correspondence, which the historical Eliza Hamilton really did do. Chloé Zuel, a powerhouse singer from the original cast, understands that there is as much power in silence as there is in notes. She draws out the pause in the last line of the song, radiating a rage that could set the theatre on fire. You could hear a pin drop in the theatre while the audience waits for her to finish – the rapturous applause that greets the song is partly a recognition of her masterful performance and partly relief from 1,700 people that they didn't spontaneously combust.

Hamilton opens at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in July 2024 and tickets are now on sale here.