The hit Broadway musical Hamilton has become a phenomenon since it debuted in 2015. With its blend of hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway-style show tunes, along with its diverse casting of actors of color playing the Founding Fathers, Hamilton has introduced the story of America’s beginnings to a whole new audience. For theatre fans who want to experience Hamilton for themselves, the national touring production is coming to Columbus, Ohio for a limited engagement.
Length of Hamilton Musical
The Broadway production of Hamilton runs approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission. Most Hamilton touring productions are comparable in length to the Broadway show.
Specifically, the upcoming Columbus engagement of Hamilton at the Ohio Theatre is scheduled as follows:
Act 1 | 1 hour, 15 minutes |
Intermission | 15 minutes |
Act 2 | 1 hour, 15 minutes |
Total Running Time | 2 hours, 45 minutes |
So patrons of the Columbus production can expect a nearly 3 hour experience, not counting any time spent at the venue before or after the show. It’s a lengthy commitment, but most Hamilton enthusiasts find the time flies by very quickly thanks to the engaging story and captivating performances.
Structure of Hamilton Musical
As an “sung-through” musical, Hamilton contains very little spoken dialog. Nearly the entire show is set to music, from the energetic opening number “Alexander Hamilton” through the dramatic closing number “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.” There are 46 musical numbers in total spread across Hamilton’s two acts.
Act 1 chronicles Alexander Hamilton’s early life and Revolutionary War years, including his rise to become George Washington’s right-hand man. Songs like “My Shot,” “The Schuyler Sisters,” and “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)” span Hamilton’s youth in the West Indies to his college years to his military service. Act 1 concludes with the Revolutionary War victory and the fledgling days of the United States of America.
Act 2 depicts Hamilton’s later political career, his scandalous affair, and his eventual fatal duel with Aaron Burr. Songs include “What’d I Miss,” “Cabinet Battle #1,” “Say No to This,” and “The World Was Wide Enough.” The story comes full circle to end on thesomber note of Hamilton’s untimely death and the aftermath for his family and colleagues.
Schedule for Columbus Hamilton Production
In Columbus, Hamilton will play an exclusive 3-week engagement at the Ohio Theatre:
- October 18-30, 2022
- November 1-6, 2022
- November 8-13, 2022
There will be both evening and matinee performances during the run. Evening shows Tuesday through Saturday will begin at 8:00pm. Matinees on Saturday and Sunday will begin at 2:00pm. There will also be matinees at 1:00pm on Thursday, November 3 and Thursday, November 10.
With a total of only 24 performances, it is expected that tickets will sell out quickly. Theatre fans interested in securing seats are encouraged to purchase ahead of time through the ticketing website.
Intermission in Hamilton
As mentioned previously, Hamilton contains one 15 minute intermission between the two acts. This intermission provides audiences a quick break to use the restroom, stretch their legs, and purchase snacks and drinks.
The intermission falls right after the song “Non-Stop” as Act 1 ends. This song summarizes the key events that have occurred so far in Hamilton’s life and career. The energy and excitement builds throughout the number, so ending on “Non-Stop” leaves the audience buzzing with adrenaline at intermission.
Recommendations for making the most of the Hamilton intermission include:
- Use the restroom – lines will be shorter than at the end of the show
- Stand up and stretch – sitting still for an hour can cause stiffness
- Purchase a souvenir program – don’t forget your credit card!
- Chat with your fellow audience members – discuss Act 1 highlights
- Grab a quick snack/drink if needed – intermission is only 15 minutes
- Get back to your seat on time – Act 2 starts promptly
The short intermission will fly by, so audience members need to be efficient with their time. Rushing back late could mean missing the opening notes of Act 2!
Conclusion
Hamilton fans traveling to see the hit musical in Columbus, Ohio can expect a high-energy show lasting around 2 hours and 45 minutes. The sung-through musical tells Alexander Hamilton’s story through 46 catchy tunes divided into two acts. A 15 minute intermission separates the acts, giving audiences a brief break before plunging into the second half of Hamilton’s eventful life. With only 3 weeks of performances scheduled for Columbus, theatre lovers will want to secure their Hamilton tickets promptly for the chance to be in the room where it happens!