Hamilton: An American Musical is one of the most popular and acclaimed musicals of all time. The Broadway production is known for its innovative blend of hip-hop, R&B, pop, and traditional Broadway styles to tell the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. But one question on many theatergoers’ minds is – just how long is Hamilton? What can audiences expect in terms of runtime when seeing the original Broadway production?
Act 1 Runtime
The first act of Hamilton on Broadway has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. This act covers the early life of Alexander Hamilton, from his humble beginnings in the West Indies to his rise to prominence during the American Revolution. Key moments in Act 1 include Hamilton’s arrival in New York City, his courtship of Elizabeth Schuyler, his role as George Washington’s aide-de-camp, and his victory at the Battle of Yorktown.
Here is an approximate breakdown of the major songs and scenes in Act 1:
Song/Scene | Runtime |
---|---|
“Alexander Hamilton” | 3 minutes |
“Aaron Burr, Sir” | 2 minutes |
“My Shot” | 5 minutes |
“The Story of Tonight” | 2 minutes |
“The Schuyler Sisters” | 3 minutes |
“Farmer Refuted” | 2 minutes |
“You’ll Be Back” | 3 minutes |
“Right Hand Man” | 3 minutes |
“A Winter’s Ball” | 2 minutes |
“Helpless” | 4 minutes |
“Satisfied” | 5 minutes |
“The Story of Tonight (Reprise)” | 1 minute |
“Wait For It” | 4 minutes |
“Stay Alive” | 3 minutes |
“Ten Duel Commandments” | 2 minutes |
“Meet Me Inside” | 2 minutes |
“That Would Be Enough” | 3 minutes |
“Guns and Ships” | 2 minutes |
“History Has Its Eyes On You” | 2 minutes |
“Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)” | 5 minutes |
As the table shows, most songs range from 2-5 minutes in length. There are approximately 24 musical numbers in Act 1, for a total runtime of about 75 minutes. Of course, times may vary slightly from performance to performance based on audience reactions and applause.
Act 2 Runtime
At approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, Act 2 of Hamilton matches Act 1 in length. This act covers the aftermath of the Revolution, including Hamilton’s role in shaping the new American government and his rivalry with Aaron Burr. Key moments include Hamilton’s authorship of The Federalist Papers, his extramarital affair, his son’s death in a duel, and the climactic duel between Hamilton and Burr.
Here are the major songs and scenes with estimated runtimes for Act 2:
Song/Scene | Runtime |
---|---|
“What’d I Miss” | 4 minutes |
“Cabinet Battle #1” | 3 minutes |
“Take a Break” | 3 minutes |
“Say No To This” | 4 minutes |
“The Room Where It Happens” | 5 minutes |
“Schuyler Defeated” | 1 minute |
“Cabinet Battle #2” | 3 minutes |
“Washington On Your Side” | 4 minutes |
“One Last Time” | 3 minutes |
“I Know Him” | 2 minutes |
“The Adams Administration” | 2 minutes |
“We Know” | 2 minutes |
“Hurricane” | 2 minutes |
“The Reynolds Pamphlet” | 3 minutes |
“Burn” | 3 minutes |
“Blow Us All Away” | 3 minutes |
“Stay Alive (Reprise)” | 2 minutes |
“It’s Quiet Uptown” | 4 minutes |
“The Election of 1800” | 3 minutes |
“Your Obedient Servant” | 2 minutes |
“Best of Wives and Best of Women” | 1 minute |
“The World Was Wide Enough” | 4 minutes |
“Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” | 3 minutes |
Again, most songs are 2-5 minutes long, with about 24 musical numbers in Act 2. The total runtime comes out to around 75 minutes. Some of the most powerful moments in Hamilton occur in the second act, so those key songs may feel longer than their runtime due to their emotional impact.
Intermission
Between Act 1 and Act 2, there is a 15 minute intermission for audiences. This gives theatergoers a chance to stretch their legs, use the restroom, and purchase snacks and drinks before settling in for the next 75 minute act.
Total Hamilton Broadway Runtime
Adding up the approximate runtimes:
- Act 1: 75 minutes
- Intermission: 15 minutes
- Act 2: 75 minutes
The total runtime for Hamilton on Broadway is about 2 hours and 45 minutes, excluding the time it takes audiences to get seated before Act 1.
This makes Hamilton an average length for a Broadway musical. However, some key things to note:
- The entire show is sung/rapped through, with very little spoken dialog. This can make the rapid lyrics and complex rhyme schemes seem even more impressive over a 2 hour 45 minute span.
- There are no large set/costume changes, so the pace moves quickly without breaks between songs.
- The subject matter covers decades of complex history in a short runtime thanks to the fast-moving lyrical storytelling.
So while Hamilton may be average in length compared to other hit musicals, the show packs a lot into its nearly 3 hour runtime. Audience members are likely to feel absorbed in the story from start to finish.
Conclusion
Hamilton fans can expect a complete theatrical experience with the Broadway production, which runs approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including a 15 minute intermission. Both acts clock in around 75 minutes each. The innovative score moves rapidly through Alexander Hamilton’s life story, aided by the fact that the entire show is conveyed through music with very little dialog. Despite an average runtime compared to other famous musicals, Hamilton makes use of every minute to tell an epic historical tale in an engaging way. Audiences remain riveted throughout the nearly 3 hour show.