Broadway hit Hamilton coming to Sydney

The world’s most talked-about piece of musical theatre is coming to the Harbour City.

Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton in the musical Hamilton, which will premiere in Sydney in 2021. Picture: Supplied

“Thank you to everyone in Australia who’s been asking for Hamilton. It’s on its way and we can’t wait.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda surprised and delighted his Australian admirers this morning with the announcement that his creation, the world’s most talked-about piece of musical theatre, is finally coming to Sydney in 2021.

We’re bringing the revolution down under! Sydney, Australia - 2021. #HamiltonOZ https://t.co/2ml9DUJTy9 pic.twitter.com/o8BMUQ5Qpj

— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) May 22, 2019

Since its Broadway premiere in August 2015, Hamilton has enjoyed a long run of success, taking home 11 Tony Awards, including best musical, and a 2016 Pulitzer Prize for drama for Miranda.

And I oop---

Gmorning, Australia! https://t.co/w1T6HJdjLG

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) May 22, 2019

The musical is currently playing in San Francisco, Chicago and elsewhere in the United States, and it opened on London’s West End in late 2017 before winning even more glory, including an Olivier Award for best new musical.

In a blow to Melbourne, the NSW Government has secured the local production, which will open in March 2021 at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre.

The Australian production of Hamilton will open in March 2021 at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre. Picture: Supplied

Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller said: “Every producer of a successful Broadway musical dreams of bringing their show to Australia. I can’t wait to bring this show to Sydney which, like New York City, was built on the shoulders of immigrants.”

Australian producer Michael Cassel added: “The moment I saw Lin-Manuel’s remarkable Hamilton I wanted to share it with Australian audiences. This is musical theatre at its most innovative, original and transformative best.”

A website offering a sign-up form for more information on the local production is struggling with demand. Picture: Supplied

Hamilton is indeed a remarkable piece of musical theatre, using a catchy hip-hop score to tell the inspirational story of America’s founding father, Alexander Hamilton, the first treasury secretary and right-hand man to George Washington. Tickets for the Broadway show became highly in demand, with a long line of celebrities, including Barack Obama, securing seats at the theatre.

In August 2015, the New York Times’s influential critic Ben Brantley opened his review of the Broadway production like this: “Yes, it really is that good.”

He concluded: “Before they were founding fathers, these guys were rebellious sons, moving to a new, fierce, liberating beat that never seemed to let up. Hamilton makes us feel the unstoppable, urgent rhythm of a nation being born.”

An Australian website has been set up for a mailing list, HamiltonMusical.com.au, and it’s already struggling to cope with demand.