History buffs already know how the musical Hamilton ends. (Hint for non-buffs: The play’s namesake dies in a duel with Aaron Burr.) The hit show follows Alexander Hamilton and other Founding Fathers as they create our country. It packs 30 years of history into a 3-hour performance.
Audiences fell for its diverse cast and the exciting way it brought history to life with rap, hip-hop, and dance. It received a record-breaking 16 Tony nominations and won 11—including best musical.
The notoriety led to sold-out shows and a hike in ticket prices for the best seats. The musical’s creators knew not everyone could make it to New York City or afford the expensive tickets. But the demand to see it was too great to ignore.
“The best way to get the show in front of as many people as possible is to crisscross the country,” says Jeffrey Seller, one of the producers of Hamilton. So the show went on tour in late 2016. It’s also heading across the pond to London, England, in November.
In 2018, more than 8,000 people a night will be able to see Hamilton across North America. Future performances in cities like Chicago and San Francisco have been sold out for months. The local theaters that host touring productions hope Hamilton will create a new generation of theater fans.
The show’s touring cast and creative team are also excited to bring the show to as many people as possible. According to Seller, “Hamilton is for everyone.”