Hamilton announces Broadway transfer - Summer 2015

The Public Theater have now officially announced that their sell-out off-Broadway production of Hamilton, a musical by Lin Manuel-Miranda, will transfer to Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre where it will begin previews on 13 July 2015, with an official opening slated for 6 August 2015.

The move has followed speculation in the press over the past weeks as to the timescale of the transfer. Although many originally thought the show would cancel its extension at the Public in order to open on Broadway before the 2015 Tony Award cut off deadline of 24 April 2015, the move will instead make the production one of the first shows to open in the 2015/16 season, making it eligible for the 2016 Tony Awards.

In a statement today, Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis said of the move:

"Hamilton has burst on the world in a blaze that has amazed and delighted all of us at The Public. We have never experienced such ticket demand, or such wild enthusiasm from our audiences...Lin-Manuel Miranda's retelling of our nation's founding tells the story of a country that truly belongs to all of us. We are honoured to partner with our friend Jeffrey Seller, along with Sander Jacobs and Jill Furman, to bring this miraculous show to the broadest possible audience."

Hamilton features book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and is inspired by the book 'Alexander Hamilton' by Ron Chernow. It features choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and is directed by Thomas Kail.

The show is described as "a new musical about the scrappy young immigrant who forever changed America: Alexander Hamilton. From bastard orphan to Washington's right hand man, rebel to war hero, loving husband caught in the country's first sex scandal to Treasury head who made an untrusting world believe in the American economy, Hamilton is an exploration of a political mastermind. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Eliza Hamilton, and lifelong Hamilton friend and foe, Aaron Burr, all attend this revolutionary tale of America's fiery past told through the sounds of the ever-changing nation we've become."

Hamilton began performances on 20 January in The Public's Newman Theater and was extended three times through 3 May 2015. It opened to strong reviews, with critics praising Miranda's score as well as the performances by the energetic cast.

The off-Broadway creative team will re-unite for the transfer, including scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell; lighting design by Howell Binkley; sound design by Nevin Steinberg; hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe and music direction and orchestration by Alex Lacamoire. Casting for the Broadway production is yet to be announced.

Tickets for the Broadway engagement will go on sale at 10am on Sunday, 8 March 2015.

- by Dom O'Hanlon