Ten Days, Three Shows, One Me

The past few weeks have been a bit of a dream come true for this theater fan. Through an unexpected turn of events, I ended up seeing three Broadway shows in ten days – and three very different shows at that. Hamilton, The Lion King, and The Prom all welcomed me into their theaters between January 30th and February 8th.

My experience led me to reflect on the variety of stories being told on Broadway, as well as how these shows compare to one another.

First up was Hamilton – the biggest and best surprise. After over a year of entering the digital ticket lottery multiple times per week, I finally got that magic notification. I think I had my $10 ticket purchased in about 60 seconds. This was the only show I went to solo, since I entered for only one ticket to increase my chances. For the most part I didn’t mind – I was far too excited – but it is always fun to have someone to share these experiences with.

Hamilton has become one of the biggest theater sensations of our time, and is famous for subverting traditional Broadway rules. The show is full of hip-hop and rap, and contains the fastest lyric couplet in musical theater history. Of course, it also features a cast full of actors of color playing white historical figures. It is clear why the show has captivated new audiences, but it does so while staying true to the unique and wonderful elements of its medium.

This was actually my second time seeing Hamilton, and one of the things that struck me this time was the simplicity of it all. Beyond the fast paced music and clever lyrics is a smart but plain stage that barely changes beyond some tables and chairs here and there. Even the ensemble’s costumes are simple – they almost look like what would go under a complicated getup. My lottery ticket granted me a second row seat, and it was fascinating to see up close and personal. The actors do the storytelling and let imagination take center stage.

While Hamilton may get all the buzz, The Lion King has one of the biggest legacies. The third longest-running show ever on Broadway, it is entrenched in theater history. Yet it is also untraditional – it’s a musical about lions after all, with not a human character in sight. Unlike Hamilton, this show is all about the costumes and set design, which remain as groundbreaking today as they were nearly 22 years ago.

The Lion King was actually my very first Broadway show at age 11, courtesy of my grandmother, and I saw it a second time with my college. This time, it was my sister’s and my turn to bring our mom – a long planned Christmas present – and we made sure to get the aisle seats. Watching her experience the real life Disney magic was so special, and while many Broadway productions are suitable for all ages, this one is truly a show for families.

There is a caveat, however. While the costuming is brilliant, my family and I agreed that this might not be the right show for very small children. The characters are animals, yes, but the human actors are very much visible. Putting together the abstract elements that create the lion could be slightly beyond the little ones’ reach. That’s why the surprising thing for me is while The Lion King is based off of a kids movie, it’s adults who can appreciate it best.

The last show on my Broadway bonanza was The Prom, and unlike the others it was completely new to me. I had not seen it before, nor was it based on an animated classic. The Prom is an original musical comedy, something I am gaining greater appreciation for as it becomes more and more rare. A friend and I bought tickets to this production only about three weeks before, taking advantage of half price tickets offered through the semi annual “Broadway Week.” I had a grasp of the general plot of the show and had heard positive reviews, and I was not disappointed.

In many ways, The Prom is a classic, traditional Broadway show, especially in comparison to the others I have talked about. It features regular people, living in “our world,” so to speak. The singing and dance style is typical musical theater style. And yet, it is exceedingly modern and progressive. The plot revolves around a group of narcissistic Broadway actors (how meta) who rally to the cause of Emma, an Indiana teen who has caused chaos and controversy for wanting to bring her girlfriend to the prom. It’s the first show to revolve around a lesbian romance, and tackles many hot button issues. There are Trump and Fox News name drops, and they’re not shy about confronting homophobia among conservative Christians. It’s also hilarious and heartwarming and fun.

These three shows take place in vastly different settings, with different characters, sets, and styles. They appeal to different audiences – but then again, maybe they don’t. After all, I enjoyed all three in distinct but equal ways. They are entertaining, fun, and full of breathtaking talent. They also have the common factor of advancing representation in theater. So here’s to Broadway musicals – whatever form they may take.

Ticket and lottery information for Hamilton, Lion King and The Prom can be found on their respective websites.