'Hamilton' in the Philippines: Everything we know so far

Now that "Hamilton" is confirmed to be staged in the Philppines — in September at The Theater in Solaire — here's everything we know so far.

GMG Productions and the producers of “Hamilton” said in an email that the Tony®, Grammy®, Olivier, and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical will run in Manila for a strictly limited season.

The Manila run will mark the premiere of "Hamilton" in Asia, they added.

“Hamilton” will be staged at The Theatre in Solaire, which has a 1,740 seating capacity.

Australian Touring Production

The announcement also proved true, the hunches of many theater fans that it's the touring production from Australia that will make its way to the Philippines. 

“Hamilton” made its southern hemisphere premiere in Sydney in March 2021 and then made its way to Melbourne and Brisbane. According to the statement, it is now set to embark on its first international tour, starting in Auckland in May.

“The production will then travel to Manila to make its highly anticipated Asian premiere with a cast drawn from performers all over the world," it said.

“Hamilton fans from the Philippines have been telling us for years how much they want to see the show, many of them have travelled to see it all over the world. It is a thrill to, finally, be able to bring it to them,” said Michael Cassel, producer of the international tour of “Hamilton."

He adds, “Hamilton is musical theatre at its most innovative, original and transformative best. It is an absolute joy to be able to bring it to Asia for the first time and to assemble a cast of the best performers from all over the world to deliver it.” 

There is no announcement yet if there will be Filipino theater actors who will join the staging of "Hamilton" but it's well worth noting that Filipino actors Karylle Tatlonghari and Markki Stroem played lead roles in “The Sound of Music," which was produced by GMG Productions.

But in case you're wondering, below is the list of Australian cast members:

• Jason Arrow playing Alexander Hamilton
• Chloe Zuel as Alexander’s wife Eliza Hamilton
• Brent Hill as King George III
• Lyndon Watts as former US Vice President Aaron Burr who killed Hamilton in a duel
• Elandrah Eramiha alternates as Peggy Schuyler the sister in law of Alexander and as Maria Reynolds the mistress of Alexander
• Akina Edmonds as Angelica Hamilton, eldest daughter of Alexander and Eliza
• Marty Alix as Philip Hamilton was the eldest son of Alexander and Eliza; alternates as soldier John Laurens
• Victory Ndukwe alternates the roles of US President Thomas Jefferson and Marquis de Lafayette, friend of Alexander who helped in the American Revolutionary War and became a key figure in the French Revolution
• Shaka Cook plays James Madison, the 4th President of the United States and Hercules Mulligan, one of America's most important spies

Tickets

A waitlist is now available on the GMG Productions website and on the Hamilton website.

But if you want something concrete, tickets will go on sale beginning April 24. They will be sold only through TicketWorld.

The Manila Staging

GMG Productions on Monday teased Manila theatergoers with a short six-second video of "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda greeting Filipino fans, "What's up dude, pare?"

On Tuesday, GMG Productions released another video of Miranda on social media confirming that yes indeed, "Hamilton" is making its way to Philippine shores. 

In the email, GMG Productions’ CEO Carlos Candal said, “We could not be more excited to be hosting Hamilton’s Asian premiere in Manila. We know we have a passionate Hamilton fan base who is absolutely thrilled that the show is coming later this year. We know Pinoy ‘Hamilfans’ will not disappoint!”

“Hamilton” premiered on Broadway in August 2015 to wide critical and audience acclaim. The show has won Tony®, Grammy®, and Olivier Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, it has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre, a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education.

Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography “Alexander Hamilton, the musical’s libretto, music and lyrics were written Lin-Manuel Miranda with direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire.

They comprised the creative team that previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical “In the Heights,” which had a two-year run in the Philippines in 2011 and 2012 via Bobby Garcia’s then called Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group. Miranda even attended the second run’s opening day in March, 2012.

The rest of “Hamilton’s” artistic team are; scenic designer David Korins, costume designer Paul Tazewell, lighting designer Howell Binkley, sound designer Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig designer by Charles G. LaPointe.

The international tour of “Hamilton” is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Michael Cassel. The Manila season is presented by GMG Productions.

GMGP has brought numerous productions in Manila including “Cats,” RSC’s “Matilda,” Disney’s “The Lion King”, “Les Misérables,” “Mamma Mia!”, “Wicked,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” and “West Side Story." — LA, GMA Integrated News