Reflecting on the first week of previews a decade ago, Hennessy recognized that “Hamilton” was something out of the ordinary.
This wasn’t the standard affair with just Pinot Grigio and martinis. Instead, the evening was marked by the presence of the French cognac, favored by many artists in the hip-hop world.
The lavish party for the new Broadway musical was held at Urbo on West 42nd Avenue, a venue that didn’t scream “big name” yet. The creator and star, Lin-Manuel Miranda, attended alongside cast members like Leslie Odom Jr., Rene Elise Goldsberry, Anthony Ramos, and Daveed Diggs.
Fast forward to Wednesday, my dad and Alexander Hamilton—who, of course, was part of New York’s very fabric—celebrated the show’s tenth anniversary at the Richard Rogers Theatre. The energetic reunion continued on 46th Avenue, with Questlove spinning tunes from the balcony.
Attending Hennessy’s soirée in July 2015 felt akin to being at a Hollywood premiere, even though none of the attendees had achieved major fame yet. At that point, the show hadn’t officially opened, and its now-awarded album was just two months away.
Yet, Hennessy sensed that something historic was unfolding in Manhattan. (And, fun fact: so did we—TotalNews supported the show during its off-Broadway run downtown.)
The glamorous nighttime event set a vibrant tone in the city, paving the way for “Hamilton” to rapidly capture both local and national attention.
The cast seemed to share an exhilarating camaraderie reminiscent of the original “Saturday Night Live” crew from decades back.
Being in New York during that time was electrifying. It truly felt like a grand appreciation for Broadway and its offerings.
Last week’s celebration echoed the excitement of the original opening night in 2015. As Eliza actress Philippa stood beside Peter Dinklage and Sarah Jessica Parker at Pier 60, a spectacular fireworks display lit up the night, perfectly timed with the show’s music, culminating in “New York, New York.”
(Some characters, I suppose, didn’t quite find their happy endings, but that’s life.)
And then there was that memorable night at Glasshouse Tavern when Miranda hopped up on a stool after his show won the Pulitzer and treated the entire bar to drinks.
In June, crowds spilled out from the celebrations of the Tony Awards victory, reveling well into the morning.
The free “Ham 4 Ham” concerts, held outside theaters, became a regular street spectacle, allowing lucky lottery winners to snag tickets for just $10 while offering a free show to all.
“Hamilton” reflected the vibrant essence of NYC through its lyrics and stage presence—true New York stories, crafted in New York.
By the time it exploded in popularity, Miranda’s musical became a source of immense local pride, much like landmarks such as the High Line or the US Open. Everyone was thrilled to see the show, which even prompted Disney to invest $75 million for the stage production’s film rights.
For those few whose enthralling plays captivate the wearied stars today, we were fortunate to witness a must-see show that invigorated the city—whether people could snag a ticket or not.
However, it seems Broadway could use something fresh. “Hamilton” remains a hit, but how long can we keep waiting for the next big thing?
