Hamilton

Hamilton changed Broadway. There's really no other way to say it. Lin-Manuel Miranda took a biography of Alexander Hamilton - the founding father on the ten-dollar bill who most people forgot about - and turned it into a hip-hop musical that became the biggest cultural event in theater history. And somehow, years after its debut, it still hits just as hard.

The music is the thing. From the opening number ("How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore...") you know this isn't your standard musical. The score blends hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and traditional show tunes in a way that shouldn't work but absolutely does. You'll leave the theater with "My Shot" stuck in your head for a month. "Wait for It" will give you chills. "The Room Where It Happens" will make you want to stand up in your seat.

The casting is intentionally diverse - the founding fathers are played by actors of color, and that choice isn't a gimmick. It's the point. The show argues that this history belongs to everyone, and it does it through the music and performances rather than through lectures. It's one of those rare works of art that makes you think and entertains you at the same time.

Live, Hamilton is tighter than a drum. The choreography, the staging, the way the turntable on the stage moves characters through time - every element is working together. The touring cast is excellent, and the production values don't drop just because it's not the Broadway company. You're getting the full experience wherever you see it.

Hamilton tickets are always in demand. Check availability on Evil Tickets and don't throw away your shot. (Sorry, had to.)