“Hamilton: An American Musical” had its cinematic debut on Friday, Sept. 5. The movie raked in about $10 million during its opening weekend despite having been released on Disney+ five years prior. “Hamilton” is now available on Disney+, in movie theaters for a limited time and in select theaters both on- and off-Broadway.
The story of the show is one that most know. It follows the life of Alexander Hamilton, a founding father and the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, from the moment he arrived in the United States to the moment he was killed in a gunshot duel. The story is told in 46 songs that contain a mix of hip-hop, jazz and classic showtunes. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the musical was based on the 2004 biography “Alexander Hamilton,” written by Ron Chernow. It was performed by the original cast in the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway starting back in August of 2015 and continues to be performed there to this day.
A professional video recording of “Hamilton” was released on Disney+ on July 3, 2020. The show was created from a combination of two performances, one shot with an audience and the other without, from 2016. The reviews praised its accessibility and the fact that it made the show available for all people to watch for a low price, $16 per month for Disney+. Compare that to the price of “Hamilton” stage tickets, which are around $300 each in New York and an average of $150 for touring performances at the Orpheum Theatre.
The same film cut found on Disney+ was released last week into movie theaters for the tenth anniversary of the show. The tickets retail from about $10 to $12. The show opens up with a 10-minute video of the original cast in an interview-style format. In my opinion, watching the filmed production in the movie theater is essentially the same experience as watching the streaming service option. So the question is posed: where should someone watch “Hamilton”?
From a cost standpoint, the cheapest option is to go to the movie theater and watch, as long as you’re content with no popcorn or other snacks. Viewers get the full show with the original cast and cinematic cuts. Although if you already have a Disney+ subscription, watching “Hamilton” there is probably going to be the easiest when you take into consideration time, finances and comfort. It is much easier to watch it on your own couch than to travel to a nearby theater.
For anyone who wants the absolute best experience, and isn’t afraid to drop a decent amount of money on a show, absolutely go see it in a live theatre. The live show is like no other. While a person now won’t see the original cast, every member of a traveling cast is absolutely deserving of time and attention. Unfortunately, “Hamilton” is not coming to a Nebraska theatre any time soon, so the Disney+ version is a Nebraskan best shot at seeing the show.
All in all, seeing “Hamilton” in movie theaters was great and would be worth your time if you are a die-hard musical fan. If not, I would say the best option is for you to watch it on Disney+ from the comfort of your own home.
