Review Roundup: HAMILTON Opens in Chicago!

HAMILTON just opened at The PrivateBank Theatre in Chicago (18 W. Monroe), and is currently booked through September 2017.

The Hamilton in Chicago cast includes: Ari Afsar as Eliza Hamilton; Miguel Cervantes as Alexander Hamilton; Alexander Gemignani as King George III, Joshua Henry as Aaron Burr; Jonathan Kirkland as George Washington; Chris Leeas Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Joseph Morales as Mr. Cervantes' alternate; Tony Award-winner Karen Olivo as Angelica Schuyler, José Ramos as John Laurens/Phillip Hamilton; Wallace Smith as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, and Samantha Marie Ware as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds.

The reviews are starting to roll in. Let's see what the critics had to say:

Misha Davenport, BroadwayWorld.com: As Alexander Hamilton, Miguel Cervantes is terrific as a man who is essentially the embodiment of American ideals. An orphaned immigrant who rose up from nothing to national prominence, Hamilton is a man who writes at a frantic pace, hoping not to "waste [his] shot" and thus secure a legacy for himself as he fights for freedom in the American Revolution, argues for the ratification of the Constitution by writing the bulk of The Federalist Papers, and eventually lays the foundations for the country's financial and banking systems that continue to exist to some extent to this day. Cervantes is appropriately frantic as Hamiltonbegins to stitch together all the ideas he has. You can almost see Hamilton's thoughts racing through his head.

Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune: Cervantes does not try to compete with Miranda when it comes to Puckish charm nor hip-hop star power, but builds a profoundly complicated character whom you fully believe is being choked by the very force that brings him life. Part of the job is the articulation of regret, and Cervantes' pain and love flows out in waves far stronger than the scenes in which he must express sexual desire. His brilliantly misfit Alexander Hamilton squares off against the show's true stand-out, the gorgeously voiced and richly nuanced Joshua Henry, who would win a Tony Award for his work as Aaron Burr, if Chicago gave out Tonys.

Heidi Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times: Every member of the cast, including Wallace Smith and Jose Ramos, is ideal, while the ensemble of dancers - in fascinating perpetual motion throughout the show - hypnotizes in remarkable ways. The orchestra, led by Colin Welford, is equally exceptional.

Maureen Ryan, Variety: They did not throw away their shot. Given the chance to create an entirely new version of "Hamilton" for Chicago, the show's creative team assembled an impressive array of performers who wring a great deal of comedy and a number of electric moments from the musical. The Broadway theater that provides "Hamilton's" New York home has its charms, but it is more squat and compact than the lofty, airy PrivateBank Theatre, and the cast of the Chicago version of the show certainly has the vocal power and panache to fill every inch of it. This "sit-down" production should get comfortable: It's likely to be around for a while.

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