'Hamilton' receives warm welcome from Filipino fans ahead of opening night

A jampacked The Theatre at Solaire welcomed the Tony, Grammy, Olivier, and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "Hamilton" to Manila on Sunday ahead of its official opening night on Thursday.

Even when the show was ongoing, there were people outside the venue taking selfies before the billboards and posters along the hallway. Some were buying "Hamilton" T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, shot glasses, souvenir programs, among others, at the gift shop.

"The calm before the 'Hamilton' audience members storm out of the venue. So we buy and take selfies now," Hana Chanchico, a fan, told GMA News Online.

She and her family bought tickets for another day because the first day was already sold out. They were content in taking selfies outside.

She and her family were having dinner at the nearby restaurant downstairs so they decided to drop by to check the first day, excited to even just take selfies and buy collectibles to bring home.

There was sudden downpour but it's no deterrent for Filipino audiences used to watching musicals and plays in the rainy "ber" months.

"Good things come to those who wait, and I know Hamilton's Filipino fans have been waiting patiently for this moment to arrive," said Michael Cassel, producer of "Hamilton's" international tour.

"The Manila audiences responded with such warmth, enthusiasm and generosity – we couldn't be more thrilled and we are ecstatic to bring the revolution to Asia for the very first time," he added.

GMG Productions said "Hamilton's" first ever international tour continues at The Theatre at Solaire until November with no extensions.

It will then make its Middle East premiere at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in January 2024. More cities are expected to be announced in coming months.

Earlier, GMG Productions announced limited orchestra tickets at P800 each will be raffled off every Monday to Wednesday through a digital lottery called Ham4Ham. It started on Monday, September 17 and will take place through the entire run of "Hamilton" in Manila until November 26.

Tickets to the Manila and Abu Dhabi seasons are available now at hamiltonmusical.com/international-tour.

"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, "Hamilton" has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theater—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education.

With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, "Hamilton" is based on Ron Chernow's acclaimed biography.

The "Hamilton" creative team previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical "In the Heights."

Scenic design is by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design 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 Michael Cassel Group and GMG Productions.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News