As the curtain is set to rise once again on “Hamilton” in Australia, the air thrums with an anticipation that only a cultural phenomenon can generate.
Just a few weeks ahead of the show’s return to Sydney, the rehearsal space at Bangarra Dance Theatre pulses with life, a microcosm of the revolution about to unfold on the stage. Here, in this crucible of creativity, the past and present collide in a symphony of sweat, determination, and raw talent.
The rhythmic thud of feet hitting the floor melds with the harmony of voices, hinting at the spectacle to come. The ensemble’s perfectly synchronised movements to the pulsating beats of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s score with military precision, transform the rehearsal space into a vibrant spectacle.
“Hamilton” premiered at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in March 2021, before touring to Melbourne, Brisbane, and New Zealand, concluding in June 2023. The announcement of its return has sparked excitement, with the production set to play exclusively in Sydney, its original Australian home, before leaving the country.
During an exclusive visit, Variety Australia had the privilege of witnessing a sneak peek performance of two high-powered, iconic numbers from the show — “My Shot” followed by “Yorktown”. Both were performed by The Company of Hamilton.
The dancers’ passion was palpable, their every movement brimming with the spirit of the revolutionary story they were set to tell. The room was charged with a sense of excitement and dedication, as the performers embodied their characters with every step and note.
Jason Arrow, reprising his role as Alexander Hamilton, embodies the spirit of the character with a palpable fervour.
Reflecting on what he’s learned since the show first debuted on Australian shores, Arrow shares, “I think groundedness. It was difficult [the first time around], constantly thinking about the numbers and lyrics and navigating the stage. Whereas now I feel like it’s just part of my body now, I don’t really have to think about it.”
Arrow added, “It’s a privilege. It just grew so much.”
Brendan Yeates, Australian Associate Dance Supervisor for “Hamilton” in Australia, doesn’t sugarcoat the physical demands placed on the cast.
“We want them to have lives outside of work, but they have to devote their lives to this type of work to make it happen eight times a week,” Yeates explains. “It’s building that kind of physical conditioning to make that happen. It’s pretty intense. They have a lot of physiotherapy and recovery. We want to know what they’re eating to make sure they’re eating the right food so they’re able to deliver their best.”
He continued, “Right now, this is week five of the rehearsal process. We’re doing our best to build that capacity to run the show, and do it eight times a week without any injury, without people having time off or getting hurt, essentially.”
Yeates also reflected on the enormity of being part of such an iconic production. “The biggest highlight has probably just been how this show has taken me all over the world. I was setting for the company and working in New York. An Australian kid from regional Victoria doesn’t always get to set a Broadway show in New York for an international tour!”
He added, “Lin-Manuel Miranda would come in, out of the blue, and watch our rehearsal. There I was, running this rehearsal, and here’s the guy who created the show watching us. It’s been pretty amazing.”
The casting process, as described by illustrious producer Michael Cassel, is a Herculean task in itself.
“The challenge with ‘Hamilton’ is, you have to be able to sing so bloody well, you have to be a great actor, and also that choreography,” Cassel revealed.
“We’ve been casting the show for a long time. We started the process back in 2020, ahead of the first production, and then we’ve been casting all the way through. We did another big round ahead of the season returning here. To find those unique talents and those actors who have something to bring to the storytelling is what makes the show so unique and different from last time.”
Cassel continued, “Each performer brings their unique skills and cultural histories, making every performance distinct. What you see as an audience, I think night after night, is a testament to how each person in the cast has changed in some way, bringing their personal experiences to the show.”
Cassel provided insights into the journey of bringing “Hamilton” to Australia and its reception during the pandemic. He explained, “The first time when we brought it, we were happening at a time of great uncertainty. So to come through that and to be embraced as much as we were by the Australian public, that’s why we’re here again.”
“We had unfinished business, and we knew that there was great demand. We did have to shut down for a period of time, and that created further demand.”
Discussing the current theatre landscape in Australia post-pandemic, Cassel was positive as to what the future of theatre in Australia holds.
“Bring it on. I think people are more confident going out,” he said. “Sydney felt like our spiritual home for ‘Hamilton’. It really wrapped its arms around us as we were opening. It was part of Sydney returning to life as normal,” he said.
“We wanted to come back and have this ensemble again. It’s really nice to be here and to be opening, seeing that the show is being embraced as it was originally.”
“Hamilton” recently made Variety’s shortlist for Best Australian Theatre, and its impact on the theatre world is undeniable.
Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, it features book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The show has won 11 Tony Awards, Grammy and Olivier Awards, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The return of “Hamilton” is more than just a revival; it’s a homecoming.
“Hamilton” returns 30th July 2024 at Sydney Lyric Theatre. For more information and tickets, visit the “Hamilton” website.