One of the most (literally and figuratively) revolutionary shows to hit Broadway in recent years is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. The musical is about Alexander Hamilton, “the ten-dollar founding father” who was an American statesman, politician, legal scholar, military commander, lawyer, banker, and economist who was also the first Secretary of the Treasury in the late 18th century. The show has been playing to packed houses since 2015 and has picked up over 50 international theatrical and musical awards along the way.
Because of more access (more on that in a second), getting tickets for Hamilton is not as difficult as it had been. Not that it’s “easy” to get tickets; it’s just “easier.” But if you have miles (or even if you don’t and are in the mood for a little traveling; maybe even a road trip), you can use that to your advantage, if you know where to look.
Besides being on Broadway, Hamilton also has upwards of three touring companies that travel throughout the U.S., as well as companies outside the U.S. Unlike some shows that “dumb it down” when on the road and purposely cut the cast and sets to make the production cheaper, every single performance of Hamilton is virtually the same as the Broadway version. And that’s where you can use that knowledge to your advantage.
U.S. TOURING COMPANIES
The touring companies of Hamilton are part of the nationwide circuits such as Broadway Across America. They bring Broadway shows to different cities across the U.S., much like Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, or, when it was around, Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus.
The touring companies of Hamilton usually play in a given city for at least a few weeks; a minimum of two or three (or, has been the case of San Francisco, several months). The first week is usually reserved for season ticket holders but after that, seats might be fair game.
You can see the current and upcoming schedule of touring productions here. If they’re not coming to your town, it might be a good excuse to use those miles (or maybe plan a road trip) to get to see the show.
OUT OF THE COUNTRY
Hamilton is currently playing on the West End, in London, as an open-ended run (click here for more info). As of this writing (February 2020), it’s also currently running in Toronto through May 2020 (as part of the U.S tour; go figure. Click here for more info). According to a report in Forbes (but not on Hamilton’s website, so take that as you will), a German-language production will open in Hamburg in fall, 2020. Hamilton’s website also says that the show will have its Australian premiere at Sydney Lyric Theatre with previews beginning in February before opening in March 2021. Click here for more info.
BROADWAY
Some people are purists and only want to see Hamilton on Broadway. Tickets can be had but unless you’re willing to pay resale prices or are OK with being all the way off to the side or in the back of a section, you’re going to have to look a few months in advance and/or pay attention to when they go on sale. Go to the bottom of this page to sign up for the Broadway production’s email list, and if they announce tickets are going to be released on a certain date, be ready to go to their website the exact date/time they go on sale, before they sell out.
Heads up that tickets for Hamilton on Broadway are not cheap; you’re looking at $200+ per ticket for the rear of the top balcony and $450+ for some of the better orchestra seats. Tickets for touring productions are generally cheaper.
MOVIE
If all else fails, the original cast of Hamilton was filmed some time back. It was recently announced that Lin-Manuel Miranda and Disney have partnered to bring that footage to movie theaters on October 15, 2021, followed by a stint on Disney+.
But seeing a show live is always MUCH better, as far as I’m concerned.
My Thoughts
There are significantly more places to be able to see Hamilton than there were when the show first opened and I can tell you from multiple experiences that the touring companies are just as good as the Broadway production. If you’re willing to use your miles, or pay cash, or even drive there, you’ll have a better chance of (A) not having to travel to New York (if you don’t want to) and (B) getting better prices for touring company tickets.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary