Hamilton on Broadway: What to Know Before You Go

Where is Hamilton playing on Broadway?

Hamilton plays at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St., New York, NY 10036, in the heart of the Theater District. The building opened in 1924 as the 46th Street Theatre and was renamed in 1990 to honor the composer Richard Rodgers. It was refurbished in 2006 and is home to the Richard Rodgers Gallery, a display of memorabilia from the theater’s long history.

The house has a strong Lin-Manuel Miranda connection. Before Hamilton, it hosted In the Heights, Miranda’s first Tony-winning musical, and over the decades it has been home to shows including Guys and Dolls and Chicago. It was also the first Broadway theater to use what was called “democratic seating,” with a single entrance for every audience member, whatever their seat.

Where to sit for Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theatre

The Richard Rodgers Theatre seats 1,319 people across two levels: the Orchestra at street level and the Mezzanine above it. There’s no single “right” seat, and the theater doesn’t name one, so it helps to think about what matters most to you.

• Orchestra: Being on the same level as the stage puts you close to the performers’ faces and the detail of the costumes. Seats toward the center of a row generally give the most balanced view of the stage picture.
• Mezzanine: Sitting higher up lets you take in the full shape of the staging and Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography, which uses the whole stage.
• Step-free seating: Only Orchestra rows A through K can be reached without steps, so keep that in mind if stairs are a concern.

Whichever level you choose, it’s worth checking a seating chart before you commit, paying attention to how far a seat sits from the center aisle and how steep the rake is in that section.

How do you get to the Richard Rodgers Theatre for Hamilton?

The closest subway option is the C or E train to 50th St., which leaves you a short walk from West 46th Street. The Theater District is busy before evening curtains, with crowds on the sidewalks and heavy traffic, so leave more time than you think you’ll need, especially on weekends.

If you usually ride an e-bike or scooter around the city, note that they are not allowed inside the theater, and there is no cloakroom, so plan to travel light.

What is Hamilton about? A spoiler-free guide

Hamilton follows the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers. The Pulitzer Prize board summed it up as a musical about “the gifted and self-destructive founding father whose story becomes both contemporary and irresistible,” and that pairing of history with a present-day voice is at the heart of the show. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the music, lyrics and script, and the musical is inspired by Ron Chernow’s biography Alexander Hamilton. Thomas Kail directs, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler.

You don’t need to know any history before you go. Along the way you’ll meet figures including Aaron Burr, George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, King George III and the Schuyler sisters, Angelica, Eliza and Peggy. Exactly how their stories unfold is best discovered in the theater, so if you’d like to go in fresh, there’s no need to read up first. If you already know the cast album, you’ll have the pleasure of seeing those songs staged live.

What awards has Hamilton won? Tonys and the Pulitzer

At the 2016 Tony Awards it won in 11 categories, including Best Musical. Its winners included:

• Lin-Manuel Miranda, for the musical’s script and for its original score (music and lyrics)
• Thomas Kail, for direction
• Andy Blankenbuehler, for choreography
• Leslie Odom Jr., as leading actor
• Daveed Diggs and Renée Elise Goldsberry, for featured performances
• Paul Tazewell, for costumes, and Howell Binkley, for lighting
• Alex Lacamoire, for orchestrations

The same year, Hamilton received the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Pulitzer citation describes it as “a landmark American musical about the gifted and self-destructive founding father whose story becomes both contemporary and irresistible.” Ten years into its Broadway run, it remains a cornerstone of the Theater District.

How long is Hamilton, and what happens at intermission?

Hamilton runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission, which makes it one of the longer evenings on Broadway. Plan dinner and your journey home with the full running time in mind.

The intermission is a good time to stretch your legs, but it goes quickly. There are two bars in the main lobby and one on the Mezzanine, open from 30 minutes before curtain and again during intermission. Bottled water and drinks with secure tops can be taken into the auditorium. Restrooms are on the ground floor, and lines can build fast at the break, so head there early if you can. Hamilton merchandise is also available, so if you want a souvenir program or shirt, before the show or at intermission is the time to look.

Hamilton security, bag rules and arrival tips

All guests are screened before entering, and bags are inspected, so allow extra time on arrival. Bags larger than 20 by 14 by 9 inches are not allowed, and neither is luggage. Weapons and dangerous items are strictly prohibited, along with:

• Outside food and beverages
• Large, professional cameras or video recording equipment
• Flashlights and laser pointers
• Illegal substances
• Noise-making devices and fireworks

Confiscated items may not be returned, and the theater can refuse entry to anyone who doesn’t follow the policy. Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted. If you’re unsure about an item, the simplest choice is to leave it at home.

Arriving late can cost you more than a few minutes. Late seating depends on where you’re sitting, and latecomers to the front of the Orchestra may be held until roughly 15 minutes into the show, watching on lobby video monitors until there is a suitable moment to be seated. The simplest plan is to be in your seat before curtain.

There is no dress code, so wear whatever is comfortable. The theater is air-conditioned in summer, and a light layer can help if you tend to feel the cold indoors.

Is Hamilton suitable for children?

Because Hamilton contains some strong language, the production recommends the show for ages 10 and up. Infants are not allowed in the theater. Parents know best whether a child is ready for a long evening in the theater.

Hamilton accessibility at the Richard Rodgers Theatre

The Richard Rodgers Theatre has wheelchair locations in the Orchestra and an accessible restroom in the main lobby. Free assisted-listening headsets are available, and the theater has an induction loop. Audio description and I-Caption devices are also offered, and service animals are welcome. If you have specific access needs, it’s best to arrange them ahead of your visit.

What to see after Hamilton on Broadway

If you’re building a Broadway trip around Hamilton, there’s plenty more to explore. See how it compares with another long-running favorite in our Wicked vs. Hamilton guide, read about the land of Oz on our Wicked show page, or discover another Tony-winning musical with a modern score on our Hadestown show page. You can also browse the latest features on The Broadway Guide blog.

Photo at top: Kyle Scatliffe, Miguel Cervantes, Ebrin R. Stanley and Daniel Yearwood in Hamilton on Broadway. Photo: Joan Marcus.