It was the opening night almost a year in the making. And tonight, a sold-out crowd at the PrivateBank Theatre, which included Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer-composer and star Lin-Manuel Miranda, shared in the excitement of the Chicago production of “Hamilton,” the musical that has turned the stage world on its ears (not to mention reigniting a passion for American history).
At the show’s curtain call, a thunderous standing ovation greeted the Chicago cast, led by Miguel Cervantes, Joshua Henry, Jonathan Kirkland, Ari Afsar, Karen Olivo, Wallace Smith, Chris De’Sean Lee, Alexander Gemignani, Jose Ramos and Samantha Marie Ware, among so many others.
Producer Jeffrey Seller walked out on stage to thank the cast and praise Chicago for “your warm embrace” and “for embracing this company.”
Seller then introduced “Alexander Hamilton” biography author Ron Chernow (his book was the inspiration for Miranda’s musical), followed by sound designer Nevin Steinberg, costumer Paul Tazewell (he mentioned lighting and set designers Howell Binkley and David Korins, respectively, who were not in attendance), choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, orchestrator Alex Lacamoire, director Thomas Kail, and finally Miranda himself, who settled in at the center of the stage amid the cast, microphone in hand.
Miranda began his comments by introducing the “rest of the cast” — the “swings,” those multitalented corps of actor-singer-dancers who can step into any number of a show’s roles at a moment’s notice. And finally, like Seller before him, he thanked Chicago for its warm welcome.
“We’ll be here for as long as you buy tickets,” a beaming Miranda said, to an adoring ovation. “See you at the party!” he said with a hearty chuckle (a reference to the after-show cast party), before heading off stage.