Hamilton is the name of an extremely popular Broadway musical that debuted in 2015. It was created by Lin-Manuel Miranda and tells the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton through rap, hip-hop, and R&B music. The show became a massive hit, winning 11 Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Its original Broadway production is still running today in New York City.
The Show’s Run on Broadway
Hamilton opened on Broadway in August 2015 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it is still running as of October 2023. It has remained one of the hottest tickets in NYC, consistently playing to sold-out houses and demanding premium prices for tickets. There are often lotteries and other promotions to try to make the show accessible to those who can’t afford the steep ticket prices.
The Broadway production has seen some cast turnover over the years, with principals like Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, and Renee Elise Goldsberry moving on. But creator Lin-Manuel Miranda did return to the show periodically to reprise his lead role. The Broadway production shows no signs of closing anytime soon.
National Tours of Hamilton
Given the massive success of Hamilton on Broadway, producer Jeffrey Seller decided to launch multiple touring productions to bring the show to audiences around the country. This was an unusually aggressive touring strategy, reflecting the unprecedented demand to see Hamilton.
The first national tour of Hamilton launched in March 2017 from the SHN Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco. A second tour also kicked off in 2017, followed by a third in 2018. There are currently 5 separate touring productions crisscrossing North America.
The tours have stayed extremely popular, playing limited engagements in various cities to enthralled sold-out audiences. The tours feature replica sets, costumes, and choreography from the Broadway production. Casting emphasizes diverse actors with strong vocal abilities to take on the demanding rap and R&B score.
Hamilton in Rochester, NY
The smash hit musical has visited Rochester, NY multiple times as part of its national tours. Upstate New York audiences have been able to experience the show without traveling all the way to NYC.
Here are the dates when Hamilton has played extended runs in Rochester:
- Rochester Auditorium Theatre, October – November 2018
- Rochester Auditorium Theatre, June – July 2019
- Rochester Auditorium Theatre, January – February 2022
During the multi-week runs, the musical played 8 shows per week at the downtown Rochester Auditorium Theatre. It was a huge boon for local theaters and restaurants to have the massively popular show in town.
Demand for tickets was sky-high whenever Hamilton came through Rochester. Fans lined up for hours to try to get seats in the pre-sales and lotteries. Secondary market resellers charged premium prices.
Will Hamilton Return to Rochester?
Looking ahead, it seems very likely that one of Hamilton’s national tours will return to Rochester, NY in the future. However, there are no official dates booked yet for 2023 or 2024.
Here are some key factors that support another Hamilton engagement in Rochester soon:
- Past success – The show has played very successfully 3 times already in Rochester, suggesting ongoing demand.
- Large market – The Rochester metro area has over 1 million people that can support an extended run.
- Great theater – The Rochester Auditorium Theatre has the capacity, staging, and technical abilities to host a top-tier touring show like Hamilton.
- Strategic location – Rochester is in the band of cities between NYC, Toronto, and the Midwest where tours look to book.
As long as Hamilton fever remains hot around the country, it seems like just a matter of time before its return. Given the show’s pattern of visiting every 1-2 years pre-pandemic, a 2024 date in Rochester appears very possible.
Some key questions will be:
- How long can the show keep up with audience demand? Tours have been running non-stop for 6+ years already.
- Will producer Jeffrey Seller keep launching new productions? Or focus on a few tours?
- What will post-pandemic touring schedules look like? Some tours have been re-routed to smaller cities.
But given Rochester’s past track record with the show, it looks to be high on the list for Hamilton’s return. Fans should keep eyes peeled for an announcement, likely for summer or fall 2024 if not sooner. The show remains so popular that producers will want to tap into the Rochester market again when they can.
Other Broadway Options in Rochester
While waiting and hoping for Hamilton’s next visit, Rochester theater fans still have plenty of options for seeing high-quality touring productions roll through town.
Here are some other Broadway shows that have recently played or will soon play extended runs in Rochester:
| Show | Theater | Run Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Dear Evan Hansen | Rochester Auditorium Theatre | March – April 2022 |
| Hadestown | Rochester Auditorium Theatre | November – December 2022 |
| Disney’s Frozen | Rochester Auditorium Theatre | August 2023 |
Plenty of shows beyond Broadway musicals visit Rochester as well, including concerts, comedians, family shows, and other live entertainment. Between the Rochester Auditorium Theatre, Kodak Center, Blue Cross Arena, and other venues, there are typically dozens of events happening on any given week.
Smaller local theater companies also provide entertainment options, though focus more on dramas, comedies, and youth productions rather than big Broadway shows.
Traveling to See Hamilton
For die-hard Hamilton fans who simply can’t wait for its return, it’s possible to travel and see the show in New York City or other tour markets like Toronto, Boston, Chicago, and more.
Here are some of the closest cities where Hamilton is playing or scheduled to play upcoming:
- New York City – open run at Richard Rodgers Theatre
- Toronto – June – July 2023 at Ed Mirvish Theatre
- Buffalo – August 2023 at Shea’s Performing Arts Center
- Cleveland – November – December 2023 at KeyBank State Theatre
Traveling does involve more time and expense to see the show. But for some Rochester residents, it may be worth it to make a trip or weekend getaway out of seeing one of Broadway’s biggest hits. Traveling to NYC often provides the chance to score tickets at a discount through lotteries and rush policies as well.
Waiting for Hamilton’s Return
While another Hamilton run in Rochester hasn’t been confirmed yet, the show’s massive popularity and past success here means its return seems like an inevitability. Rochester will likely have another chance to be in “The Room Where It Happens” in 2024 or 2025.
In the meantime, theater fans still have great options to see top-tier theater locally. But when Hamilton comes back, expect another wave of excitement and huge demand for tickets from Rochester audiences.
Conclusion
Hamilton established itself as a must-see show on Broadway, with multiple hit tours bringing the musical to Rochester for extended runs. Though dates have not been confirmed yet, strong past demand makes it highly likely that one of Hamilton’s national tours will return to Rochester, NY in the near future. Local audiences have proven their appetite for the acclaimed show, so producers will be sure to put Rochester back on the list. Fans eager to see the show again locally can likely pencil in a trip back to the Rochester Auditorium Theatre for sometime in 2024 or 2025.
