The Walt Disney Company, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeffrey Seller and Thomas Kail have announced that Disney+ will fast track the premiere of the filmed version of the original Broadway production of Hamilton. The 11-time-Tony Award, GRAMMY Award, Olivier Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical will arrive on the streaming service in July 2020.
The film is a leap forward in the art of “live capture” – which transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. Combining the best elements of live theater, film and streaming, the result is a cinematic stage performance that is a wholly new way to experience Hamilton. Miranda, Seller and Kail are among the producers of the film, which is directed by Kail and was filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016.
“No other artistic work in the last decade has had the cultural impact of Hamilton—an inspiring and captivating tale told and performed in a powerfully creative way,” said Robert A. Iger, Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company. “In light of the extraordinary challenges facing our world, this story about leadership, tenacity, hope, love and the power of people to unite against the forces of adversity is both relevant and impactful.”
“We are thrilled to bring this phenomenon to Disney+ on the eve of Independence Day, and we have the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda and the team behind Hamilton to thank for allowing us to do so more than a year before planned.”
Hamilton features Tony Award winners Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.
The cast also includes Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana DeBose, Hope Easterbrook, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Elizabeth Judd, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Seth Stewart and Ephraim Sykes.
“I’m so proud of how beautifully Tommy Kail has brought Hamilton to the screen,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda. “He’s given everyone who watches this film the best seat in the house. I’m so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to July 4th weekend of this year, in light of the world turning upside down.”
“I’m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I’m so glad that we’re able to make it happen. I’m so proud of this show. I can’t wait for you to see it,” added Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Hamilton The Musical will stream on Disney+ from 3 July 2020. For more information, visit: www.disneyplus.com The Australian production of Hamilton The Musical is scheduled to open at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in March 2021. For more information, visit: www.hamiltonmusical.com.au for details.
Image: Daveed Diggs, Okieriete Onaodowan, Anthony Ramos and Lin Manuel Miranda star in Hamilton The Musical – photo by Joan Marcus