Full. Body. Chills. “Hamilton” at The Morrison Center featured a cast who did not miss a beat. The Phillip Touring Company takes a show akin to running a marathon with almost no pauses between songs and makes it appear effortless.
“Hamilton”, created in 2015 by Lin Manuel Miranda portrays the life of Alexander Hamilton as he attempts to establish America’s first national bank, and other historical figures through fast-paced musical numbers, rap battles and powerful ballads.
From the moment Aaron Burr (Kameron Richardson), Hamilton’s frenemy, steps onto the stage to pose the question of how Hamilton became a household name, audience members were enthralled. Each cast member truly gave one hundred percent and made the characters their own.
Eliza Hamilton (Brittany Campbell) is irresistibly sweet while simultaneously holding a quiet strength as she navigates the political environment around her. While she and Hamilton seem to fit perfectly as a couple, the tension between Hamilton and Eliza’s sister Angelica Schuyler (Jisel Soleil Ayon) is nothing less than electric.
In “Take A Break”, a song that features the two women attempting to convince Hamilton to relax and enjoy his life and family, the three actors play off of each other flawlessly.
George Washington (John Devereaux) exuded a powerful stoicism as he attempted to guide Hamilton and his colleagues through America’s fledgling days. “One Last Time”, a song about Washington stepping down from power, was filled with gorgeous chords and bittersweet undertones of hope for the nation’s future.
King George III (Paul Louis Lessard) was nothing short of hysterical as he ridiculed America for its attempt to “break up” with England. The foot stomping and pouty expression as King George III sings “You’ll Be Back” makes this monarch seem, hilariously, more like a five-year-old than a political superpower.
The set design in this show is striking. Warm brick, open beams and risen staircases create an immersive set. During nearly every song actors flank the risen porch-like structure around the stage, watching over the events unfolding below.
After the number, “Stay Alive- Reprise”/ “It’s Quiet Uptown” which features Phillip Hamilton’s (Lucas Babcock) death, there wasn’t a dry eye in the theater. Seeing a character who is so exuberant and full of life meet his end was incredibly emotional, coupled with Eliza’s gut-wrenching scream as she watched her son die.
But as Jefferson says after this moment, while everyone is wiping at their eyes with Kleenex, “Can we get back to politics?”
In an email interview with The Arbiter, Lucas Babcock, who plays both John Laurens (Hamilton’s closest friend) and Phillip Hamilton (Hamilton’s son) reflected on what it’s been like to play a double cast role.
“It has been an amazing challenge! I have enjoyed finding what makes these two characters similar and what sets them apart from one another. They both have fiery personalities, a chip on their shoulder, and something to prove,” Babcock said. “John Laurens was a revolutionary who fought for the abolishment of slavery at a time when even having those thoughts could get you killed. Philip Hamilton on the other hand was not a revolutionary, but looked up to those who came before him. He wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and make a name for himself.”
With this being the iconic musical’s ten-year anniversary, Babcock shared the significance of the show for him personally and as a performer.
“‘Hamilton’ has always been a show that is near and dear to my heart. When the cast album came out in 2015 I was a freshman in high school, and I instantly fell in love with it. I was never a ‘theatre kid’, but when Hamilton came out, I was able to see myself on stage for the first time,” Babcock said. “The show created opportunities on Broadway for people who looked like me, sounded like me, performing music and dance that aligned with what I knew and listened to growing up.”
Babcock said that the travel aspect of touring has been an incredibly rewarding part of performing this show.
“My favorite part of the tour has been being able to travel to different cities. Meeting fans from all across the country has been such a joy. Realizing how big of a fan base Hamilton has and getting to see their faces when their favorite show finally comes through town is always very special,” Babcock said.
From listening to the “Hamilton” soundtrack ten years ago, to now being a part of the show, Babcock described performing as a blessing.
“Being part of a historic show like Hamilton as it approaches such a significant milestone only makes my experience with the show more special. I can look back 10 years ago and remember listening to it for the first time, and now here I am almost 10 years later performing on the “Hamilton” stage every night. It really is a blessing,” Babcock said.
Don’t miss out on the chance to see the “ten dollar founding father” in “Hamilton” at The Morrison Center, running until Feb. 2. Rush tickets for students are now available for $35.
