Hamilton in Fresno
By Sydney Morgan
Broadway’s Hamilton has been given eleven awards, including Best Musical and the 2021 Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special.
After complications due to Covid-19, they had to postpone their tour dates and shows until further notice.
This wait has left many fans on the edge of their seat waiting for a chance to see the story of America’s Founding Father, the infamous Alexander Hamilton.
This play caters to all types of audiences as it incorporates history, rap, hip hop, and drama.
“I really think that that show coming out or that broadway show being produced and made available on Disney plus kind of opened everybody’s eyes to what our history is and who we were as a nation and how it helps to kind of develop to who we are now,” said Kelley Mellott.
Mellott bought her tickets back in November after her boyfriend showed her the play on Disney+.
“After watching it, it was just like super, super amazing like the lyrics and the whole theatrical performance. I was immediately addicted to it, I’ve probably watched it at least 20 times since its come on Disney+,” said Mellott.
It’s not hard to understand why this musical has been so successful.
On top of the musical aspects of this show, it also highlights diversity through the cast members which is very influential-especially here in Fresno.
“We get a little bit of backstory in the opening numbers, we find out his childhood that he was an orphan and he grew up trying to prove himself, because he didn’t come from money,” said Mellott.
One specific thing he brought to the table was his establishment of the National Bank, which is explained in the performance.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the theme of this play is to highlight Hamilton’s need to be well known/famous, which is seen a lot in today’s society.
“The broadway show kind of follows his life in showing his struggles and what he did to make America what it is, as well as some of the problems that he got himself into and his issues with constantly needing to be seen and to be heard,” said Mellott.
The play will take place at the Saroyan Theatre on M Street in downtown Fresno.
“It gets people more involved in the community, and it’s great for people to go out because they’re going out to the shows, but then before the show, they’re going to local restaurants so they’re helping out the establishment in the area,” said Mellott.
This play took six years to write and runs just under three hours.
The Saroyan Theatre will be putting shows on from March 30 until April 10.
Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased on TicketMaster.com or Fresno.broadway.com.