Editor’s Note: This story is part three of a three-part series reviewing three Broadway musicals I saw in New York City.
One Monday morning, scrolling through Instagram I saw something I never expected. On April 14, 2025 the official “Hamilton” account announced the return of original cast member, Tony and Grammy Winner, Leslie Odom Jr. for a limited run from Sept. 9 through Nov. 23, later extended to Nov. 26, 2025.Excitement quickly turned into urgency because there was no way I wasn’t going to be in “The Room Where It Happens.”
I fell in love with the Broadway musical in middle school, before it became available to stream on Disney+. I simply enjoyed the story and music through fan-made animated music video compilations. It was quite enjoyable, but of course I yearned to see the production in full in New York City (NYC) for years. I even asked for a trip to Broadway instead of a quinceañera, sadly it never happened… until now.
My boyfriend knew how much it meant to me and although he isn’t the most spontaneous person, he snagged us some tickets to go!
On Sept. 12, 2025, I had touched down in New York City and the long-awaited day for me had arrived. When we entered the Richard Rodgers Theatre, I was instantly filled with emotion. I got to my seat and took a moment to look around me and appreciate my view and the details of the iconic stage.
Holding my boyfriend’s hand as the lights dimmed and the first iconic beats played, I already wanted to cry tears of joy. The moment Odom entered the stage as Aaron Burr, the room erupted. I was so excited I was at the edge of my seat the entire show, with my eyes peeled wide open glistening with joy (or my tears welling up). His voice, his persona, everything about him was everything I thought it would be.
In his return, Odom did not simply reprise the role, but he really deepened it. This time around, Burr felt more mature and wiser. Anytime he was on stage, I could not take my eyes off of him. Like many, I was most looking forward to “Wait for it” a song featuring just Leslie Odom Jr. In his performance of the song, it is clear Odom embodied the character’s patience and intent much more than his 2016 version. The song resonated differently and Burr seemed to loom larger than he did before. I am sure this is because of the actor’s grown maturity and understanding of this, but also personal developments.
This shifted the balance of the show for me, subtly reframing the story through Burr’s perspective for me rather than Eliza or Alexander Hamilton’s. Odom’s performance was a reminder that he is not only an incredible actor but also an amazing musician and he far exceeded every expectation I had.
Beyond Burr, the cast brought a distinct swagger to the production. I admittedly saw negative reviews of Trey Curtis’ portrayal of Alexander Hamilton that suggested he gives a weak overall performance, but I’d disagree that he was completely ineffective. Curtis exceled in the show’s high energy moments, bringing confidence and smoothness to the role of Alexander. However, emotional, more intimate scenes felt less convincing in some instances such as “Dear Theodosia” where Curtis is meant to convey the depth of Alexander’s love for his son Phillip. What made the emotional imbalance noticeable was his scenes alongside Morgan Anita Wood’s Eliza who gave everything to the moment, always. Eliza radiated warmth and sincerity throughout the show making Alexander’s betrayal in Act II especially effective in “Burn” and “Stay Alive – Reprise.”
Standout supporting performances to me included Colby Lewis as Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, and Ebrin R. Stanley as Hercules Mulligan and James Madison. Their scenes were humorous and filled with personality.
I also enjoyed Jarod Spector’s rendition of King George where he, like Lewis and Stanley, made the role his own and added his own quirky special moments that differentiate his performance from past renditions. Tamar Green, who played George Washington, did a great job as well as grounding the production with his strong vocals and presence. Compared to other character roles in the show the performances of the Angelica and Peggy, the other Schyler sisters, were effective but less memorable than usual compared to the other roles.
I feel that a show of this magnitude and with such a large fan base, the actors have it tough in that they have big shoes to fill. No matter what they do, the actors will be compared to the version of their character that the fans are most familiar with. It’s a hard situation to be in I am sure, but I think overall they did a good job and their cast had their own special flair that was unique to them.
Although it was a limited return, according to an Oct. 2025 report by Playbill, “Hamilton” grossed $4.02 million for the week with 101.5% of seats filled, the first time the show has achieved this since 2018.
During the show and even until the end, the scale of the audience’s excitement and the collective effervescence was palpable. Odom’s Burr, paired with the strong ensemble, and thematics of the show, reminded why performing arts can be so impactful. Sitting in my seat and feeling the shared joy and emotion of the crowd made the night feel all he more extraordinary.
Years of anticipation led to the one defining night. “Hamilton” remains my favorite Broadway musical. The whole show balances energy, humor and emotional weight. It was a night that far exceed my expectations and was a personal dream come true.
Evelyn Palma was the editor-in-chief of The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram @evelynp.media and on LinkedIn @evelynpalma-media.
