The year was 2008, and I happened to be in New York City. As one does, especially this one, I made plans to see a few broadway shows.
There were a ton of options on this particular visit. One of the shows I was looking at was by a little known composer at the time, by the name of Lin-Manuel Miranda called In The Heights. It pains me to say that I chose poorly, and went to see a show whose name I don’t even remember.
In the months that followed, with the acclaim that In the Heights gathered, I made a promise to myself-
Whatever shows Lin-Manuel did next, I was going to be there. Original cast. No matter what it took, or cost, I’d be there.
That’s how I found myself, 7 years later, in October of 201\5; having paid an exorbitant amount of coin, sitting first row mezzanine at the Richard Rodgers theatre, completely enamoured by the original cast of crew of Hamilton. It was an incredible evening.
I tell you this story not to gloat, as the theatre nerd that I am, but to compare it to the second time I saw Hamilton.
2 days ago, at Place Des Arts, I watched the Canadian touring company of Hamilton perform one of their 22 shows here in Montreal. It was a fantastic show, but of course, unfair to compare to the likes of Daveed Diggs, Leslie Odom Jr, Philippa Soo, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Christopher Jackson, Anthony Ramos, Jonathan Groff, Okierriete Onadowan-
And yet?
And yet I would trade my first viewing with my second in a heartbeat. Not that it was better, but because my eyes weren’t on the stage at all; they were on two of my children who were sitting next to me. At 15 and at 12, watching it through their eyes was something I never expected.
I suppose that’s my takeaway from all this-
Theatre is meant to be experienced, yes, but even more, it’s meant to be shared.
…Oh, and I made another promise. The next show that Lin-Manuel does? I’ll be there. With my family.
-sohmer
