Depicting the Founding Fathers of the United States as individuals who go head-to-head in fiery rap battles, dance and sing to modern music, and cuss at each other, Hamilton is an absurd idea for a stage musical. On paper, that is.

Whether your first encounter with the Founding Fathers of the United States was in a school textbook or a documentary, the Tony, GRAMMY, Olivier, and Pulitzer Prize-winning production urges you to forget what you think you know about these famed figures and embrace its imaginative alternative account of American history. 

Based on a biography from Ron Chernow and featuring music and lyrics from composer, lyricist, and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton traces the rise and decline of the titular Alexander Hamilton (Jason Arrow), who fought in the American Revolutionary War and later served as the United States' first secretary of the treasury under George Washington.

Credit: Daniel Boud

A musical about politicians would not be possible without taking artistic liberties with what we know from history classes and research, and Hamilton does not shy away from this. That's not to say that the musical does not respect the real people, relationships, and events it takes inspiration from, though. What it does is bring new depth to the story it adapts through its clever additions and changes.

As a result, the story of Alexander Hamilton also becomes much more accessible to individuals who may not have had much exposure to or incentive to learn about American history, such as those living in Singapore, where the musical is currently having a two-month residency. 

Hamilton's anachronistic music — a vibrant palette of hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and Broadway influences — is likely to be the first thing to stand out to anyone watching it for the first time. Performed by an orchestra, led by conductor and keyboardist Andre Cerullo, and the musical's pitch-perfect cast, the diverse songs here are ingeniously woven into the narrative. Yes, the aforementioned rap battles were not a thing in the United States' early days, but what better way to depict tensions in a cabinet meeting than by having Thomas Jefferson (David Park) and Alexander Hamilton spit venomous bars at each other?

Credit: Hamilton International Tour

In contrast, the calming yet powerful voice of Rachelle Ann Go's Eliza Hamilton in 'That Would Be Enough', a more traditional musical number, brings about a sense of peace, which is not found in the musical's political and war settings, when Hamilton focuses on the relationship between its protagonist and his wife.

Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Philippa Soo, Daveed Diggs, and more may have become almost synonymous with the musical thanks to its success on Broadway and on Disney+ as a film, but its touring cast — made up of performers of different ethnicities — deserves an equal amount of recognition for their work in keeping the stories of Hamilton's characters alive.    

Hamilton's Jason Arrow and DeAundre' Woods on shaping their versions of the musical's historical figures and remembering their roots

A perfectly cast Arrow, for instance, brings charisma, confidence, and impulsiveness in just the right doses to paint a portrait of a brilliant yet extremely flawed man. Then there's Go, who shines as the musical's beacon of love, hope, and healing amidst a male-dominated political landscape rife with scheming and violence.

Credit: Sam Bisso

Darnell Abraham, David Park, and Brent Hill, who play George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, and King George, respectively, are also compelling individuals to watch on stage. With booming vocals, Abraham is an authoritative figure in every scene he appears in. Meanwhile, Park brings a cheeky and sassy energy to his roles that always puts a smile on your face. Then there's Hill, whom you know will give you a good laugh in any of the few scenes as a juvenile British monarch who's placed in Hamilton to mock the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Credit: Daniel Boud

Playing Alexander Hamilton's friend-turned-political rival Aaron Burr, DeAundre' Woods delivers a standout performance as a complex man trying to make his mark in early America's political scene. If you have only read about him and his one very infamous act, you might be led into thinking that the character is a villain. But the vulnerability that Woods brings to a conflicted Aaron Burr will make you reconsider that. Through Burr-centric numbers 'Dear Theodosia' and 'The Room Where It Happens', Hamilton makes it clear that there are no heroes or villains, just people trying to write their own stories.

What is also impressive about Hamilton is the way it uses the physical stage and its elements to heighten its drama. The rotating platform, for example, allows members of the ensemble cast to circle a conflicted character in "slow motion", representing what is taking place within his troubled mind. Similarly, a movable staircase is treated as more than just a decorative element, as seen from how it is used to show a character's ascent during a pivotal moment. 

Credit: Joan Marcus

While Hamilton's greatest asset may be its intriguing character studies, it certainly does not skimp on spectacle during its runtime of approximately 170 minutes. Expect to be thrust into the thick of historical battles filled with dancing armed soldiers, high-stakes gun duels, and even a mesmerising ballroom dance party. 

Hamilton is many things — a cautionary tale of the pursuit of power, a story of love and forgiveness, an examination of how rivalries come to be, and an ode to those who helped shape a country. The miracle here is that it pulls off all of these impeccably. Don't throw away your shot of seeing it. 

Hamilton will have its Singapore run at Marina Bay Sands' Sands Theatre until 9 June. For the best seats currently available, fans can select shows on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Sunday matinee performances from mid-May to June. Tickets are available here.

Watch the trailer for Hamilton here: