Why You Need To Start Saving For Hamilton’s (Hopeful) Australian Tour

Hamilton: An American Musical is the Tony-sweeping, Grammy-winning and Pulitzer Prize-receiving sensation that has changed the very industry of stage shows.

Beginning as an Off-Broadway production in 2015, it quickly made its way to Broadway shortly after and is still touring in America, making $US1.5 million a week. (The massive demand has seen third-party ticket sales exceeding $US1000.)

But an unbelievably catchy soundtrack aside – from writer and star Lin-Manuel Miranda - why should Australians care about something they have little chance of experiencing themselves?

Well, here’s a reason: The CEO of the show recently announced a possible Australian tour after it plays London in 2017 (which, okay, may still be wishful thinking).

Even if it’s still a few years away, the above statistics show you need to start saving right now if you hope to get a ticket. Here’s why it’s worth the money.

1. It brings hip-hop into musical theatre.

Hamilton's specialty is its unique style of musical theatre. The soundtrack is completely unlike any of the classic ballads in Wicked the Musical, or fun sing-along songs in Matilda the Musical. Similarly, if you've heard anything about the new Netflix show The Get Down (which, unless you've been hiding under a rock, you probably have), hip-hop is a massive part of America's cultural history. So, it's only appropriate that this contemporary style of music accompanies the greatest history lesson ever (so much better than any from high school).

2. Learn while you listen.

Who would have thought learning about American history would be so interesting? I sure didn't! However, the stories told through the soundtrack depicting the life and relationships of one of America’s Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton, change this entirely. Before you know it, you’ll be looking up the context of your fave song on the soundtrack and gaining a better understanding of America’s history than Australia’s (which is totally not as geeky as it sounds).

3. Increased racial and gender diversity on Broadway.

Hamilton is an interesting musical, in that, unlike the majority of musical theatre, the vast majority of roles are held by people of colour (despite the historical figures they are based on being predominantly white). This progressive demonstration of talent from a variety of races across the industry will definitely influence casting in the future. Although not the first of the kind, it’s pretty clear that Hamilton is helping racial diversity in Broadway, given the fact that 14 of the 40 nominees at the 2016 Tonys were actors of colour. (Now compare that to the 2016 Oscars.) Given the recent report showing a lack of diversity in Australian media, perhaps a local production of Hamilton will encourage more multicultural casting at home.

4. Broadway’s making bank.

With hundreds of thousands of tickets sold, an estimated weekly profit exceeding $US600,000 and a load of media coverage, it is safe to say that Hamilton has been a remarkably successful musical. And, the extensive media coverage has been beneficial for the musical industry as a whole; it’s rare a musical theatre production receives so much attention, particularly at a global level, resulting in an increased awareness and understanding of the industry (believe it or not, not all musicals are cheesy). When artists prove their innovative, original, powerful ideas can also be profitable, everybody wins.

So, seriously, start saving up your money, because if tickets end up anywhere near as expensive as they have been in America, you’ll need to. Do not throw away your shot to see it.

Sarah Schofield is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. Learn more about the contributors program.

Photo: Facebook.