‘Hamilton’ lives up to its billing as must-see show

Hands down the best musical stage production I’ve ever seen.
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thinking rave reviews as I left the Lied Center this weekend after experiencing “Hamilton” live and in person. It lived up to its billing as a spell-binding performance that both entertains and enlightens the audience in my book of novice observations, making three full hours, and a dramatic era of our nation’s history, go by in a flash. 
Taking the theatrical world by storm when it hit the stage in 2015, “Hamilton” is the epic saga that follows the rise of founding father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. Some have argued the historical accuracy of producer Lin-Manuel Miranda’s lyrical adaptation, which is a given in today’s world, though few have questioned “Hamilton’s” incredible run as a show you want to see again and again.
Part of the allure for repeat viewership, I concluded on Saturday, is that the lyrics and storyline go by so incredibly fast in hip-hop style that it’s hard to digest the whole experience in real time. The acoustics were excellent at the Lied Center, not surprisingly, but there is just so much happening on stage it was hard for my well-worn eyes, ears and brain to keep up.
No complaints, mind you. I was riveted to every word, sight and sound from the opening curtain and am already making plans to stream it one day soon to watch it again, this time with the benefit of lyrics rolling by on the bottom of the screen. 
The stage itself left me impressed, with a mobile section in the middle rotating periodically while the characters used it to weave through a choreographic masterpiece. Very cool, and effective.
The other thought I had as I left the theater Saturday is how incredibly fortunate we are to have such a wonderful venue just an hour away from home. Paula and I have always enjoyed the theater as a night out to experience something new. Whether we give that night’s performance a thumbs up or down isn’t the point. Each show invites you to escape from the world if only for a couple of hours, with script, song and dance taking you someplace you’ve never been. That, in itself, is worth the price of admission.
“Hamilton” was such a hot show that it prompted us to buy season tickets at the Lied for the first time ever, though it won’t be the last.
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net