NYC Theater Trip 2023: "Camelot" at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center

Show*: 3

Title: Camelot

Location: Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center

Written By: Lerner and Loewe, with a revised book by Aaron Sorkin

Summary: A revival of the classic 1960 musical about King Arthur and his court that feels more modern and relevant.

Highlights: When you think about it, who better to update this story of an idyllic and idealistic land that adovates "might for right" and "justice for all" than Aaron Sorkin, creator of the idyllic and idealistic worlds of The West Wing and The Newsroom? Sometimes we need to believe in a world that's better than the one we live in, although with Camelot, it aimed too high and came crashing down. The story is mostly the same, although it's been too long since I last saw the original to know exactly what was changed. But the characters and language are very Sorkin (which is a good thing in my book). Guenevere seems to have more agency and is an equal partner with Arthur, and when she doesn't (e.g., her arranged marriage as part of a peace treaty with France), it's acknowledged. The downfall of Camelot happens as a result of Mordred's machinations and some of the old guard's dissatisfaction with the ideas of equality and chivalry, rather than a woman's misdeeds. And Arthur was in on Guenevere and Lancelot's escape. There's plenty of Sorkinian banter and soliloquizing, the language and characters feel more modern, although not out of place in this world, and the magic has been replaced with science. 

Bartlett Sher has become an expert at directing classics in a fresh and exciting way, although respectful of the source (see also My Fair Lady and To Kill A Mockingbird, recently seen in the Twin Cities). The lightness and humor of the first act gives way to a darker second act. The staging and design at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre (which is similar in shape and size to the Guthrie's thrust stage) is stunning. A bare wooden stage, soldiers ascending from stairs at the back, starkly silhouetted trees, a backdrop of snow or light, a few period set pieces (set design by Michael Yeargan). The 30-piece orchestra (sitting under the stage), conducted by Music Director Kimberly Grigsby, wows on this lovely score. Period costumes are of dark royal colors, except for the etherial pastel gowns seen in "The Lusty Month of May" (costume design by Jennifer Moeller). Hamilton's Phillipa Soo is an absolute delight as Guenevere with an angelic voice; Andrew Burnap is a charmingly Sorkinian Arthur; and Jordan Donica (whom I recognized from the CW's recent Charmed reboot) is a wonderfully full of himself Lancelot. This production seems to lean towards #TeamArthur, and I have to agree; they're portrayed as two friends and partners who fall in love but can't quite bring themselves to admit it until it's too late.

Camelot is still not my favorite musical, but to borrow a Sorkin word, I was completely ensorceled at the opening night performance. The atmosphere, the excitement, the crowd dressed to the nines, the beautiful surroundings of Lincoln Center, the gorgeous show and performances, made it a night to remember.

*Once again, I'm using an abbreviated Fringe-style summary for my NYC 2023 trip, since I am in the greatest city in the world with much more exciting things to do than write! Click here to see all of my Broadway-related blog posts.

"Hamilton" at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway

"Look around, look around, how lucky we are to be alive right now!" Fans of the American musical are very lucky to be alive right now. Lin-Manuel Miranda is the future of music-theater, and the future is now. Hamilton is a quintessentially American piece of art: musical theater is an American art form, Alexander Hamilton's story, from orphan immigrant to founding father, is a quintessentially American story, the score is a modern American rap/hip-hop/pop/musical theater style, and the cast is a beautifully diverse representation of this country. Lin-Manuel has taken this part of American history that most of us have forgotten and created something so immediate, compelling, epic, human, and utterly modern. In short, Hamilton is everything musical theater should be.

It's rare that one person writes the book, music, and lyrics of a musical; most are written by pairs or teams of artists. It's even more rare that that person also stars in their creation. Who does that?! Lin-Manuel Miranda, that's who. Hamilton is his singular, cohesive, brilliant creation. And even though his excellent understudy Javier Muñoz filled in for him in the title role in the matinee on a two-show day that I saw, I still feel like I saw Lin-Manuel Miranda because this show is him. That's not to say he didn't have help - director Thomas Kail to keep the huge train that is the show on track, Andy Blankenbeuhler's sharp and modern and super cool choreography, Paul Tazewell's stunning period costumes with a modern twist, David Korins' design of a relatively simple but versatile and kinetic set, and of course, this amazing cast that brings Lin-Manuel's vision to vivid life.

Daveed Diggs as Thomas Jefferson with the cast

I love theater that makes me want to rush home and read more about the topic, and this show makes founding father Alexander Hamilton seem like the most fascinating person I never knew (history class was a looooong time ago). From George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolution, to Secretary of the Treasury, to author of the Federalist Papers, to a family man caught in a love triangle with two sisters, to the center of America's first political sex scandal, to death in a dramatic duel. But even thought this is a historical piece, the themes of politics, family, legacy, and striving to make this country better against opposition are extremely relevant to every time period, especially today.

The Hamilton cast recording was released recently and I was torn about whether to get it and listen to it, or wait and see the show first. I chose the latter, and now I cannot wait to download the album and listen to it obsessively. There are just so many words, and no matter how closely you pay attention (and you have to pay attention), you cannot catch them all on first viewing/listening. In fact, my stats friends at 538.com counted - Hamilton contains 3-4 times as many words as other musicals. That's insane. And brilliant. But it's not just the words, there are some great melodies too, that haven't left my head yet and likely won't for a long time.

Aaron Burr with the Schuyler sisters
(Leslie Odom, Jr., Phillipa Soo, Jasmine Cephas Jones,
and Renée Elise Goldsberry)

As I mentioned, I did not have the pleasure of seeing Lin-Manuel in the title role, but Javier Muñoz soon made me forget I was watching an understudy as he completely made this complex, layered role his own and seamlessly fit in with the huge and amazing cast. Highlights include Phillipa Soo as Alexander's wife Eliza; Renee Elise Goldsberry as her sister Angelica, Alexander's close confidante (the best love triangles are those in which there is love in all directions, as there is here, creating some achingly beautiful moments for all three); Leslie Odom, Jr. as rival Aaron Burr, who functioned as a sort of narrator; Daveed Diggs as a cool and funky Jefferson; and last but not least, Andrew Rannells, who is an absolute hoot as King George, the spurned lover of America who has rejected him (if you have to replace Jonathan Groff, Andrew Rannells is the only way to go).

In summary, everything you've heard about Hamilton is true. It lives up to the hype, and so much more. I was expecting to laugh and be wowed, but I was not expecting to be moved to tears. This is a show that's both big and epic, and also intensely intimate and emotional. It'll make you laugh, think, cry, and feel every emotion under the sun. This is what musical theater can do, and this is a prime example of why musical theater is my favorite thing in the world. Thank you Lin-Manuel Miranda.

(Note: The only way to get tickets is to buy them well in advance from the show's website. This is one of those shows that is never going to have discounts available. So just do it, it's worth every penny.)


Read more of my Broadway reviews here.