‘Hamilton’ at Fort Worth’s Bass Hall shows legendary musical is still a masterpiece

History and hip-hop take center stage now through June 23 at Bass Hall as “Hamilton” has made its way back to Fort Worth.

The legendary musical is part of Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Broadway at the Bass Series Presented by PNC Bank, returning for the first time since 2022.

The production created by Lin-Manuel Miranda (who also starred as Hamilton on Broadway) is every bit the masterpiece today as it was when it debuted on the Great White Way nine years ago. Miranda is, of course, not in this production.

However, his magic is.

“Hamilton” is one of the most original concepts ever to hit the stage, a story told about the birth of America featuring non-white performers as the Founding Fathers and other prominent historical figures. It’s told through hip-hop and rap lyrics, with some R&B and soul tossed in, creating a musical experience that stays with you long after the curtain has drawn.

I challenge you to try and not get at least one of the songs stuck in your head for the next couple of days after seeing the show.

For those not familiar with the uniqueness of “Hamilton” — and I’m glad you escaped from that remote island — it tells the story of the title character, Alexander Hamilton, from a teenager to his death. Hamilton, who was one of the Founding Fathers, was filled with unrivaled ambition and passion, but just as those traits drove him to success, his personal trials and tribulations haunted him throughout life.

Considered by some to be perhaps the most innovative of the Founding Fathers, he was also arguably the most egotistical and stubborn. It often seemed nothing was ever good enough, from love to leadership.

In one telling scene, Aaron Burr says to Hamilton, “Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room?” Which, of course, Hamilton always does think — and he was usually right.

At times it seems as if Hamilton loved America so much he didn’t trust its care to anyone else.

And though he never sought the office of president himself, it was a chase for the office that ultimately led to his death at the age of 47. Hamilton backing Thomas Jefferson in the 1800 presidential election was the start of what led to Burr killing Hamilton in a duel near the same spot where Hamilton’s son Philip had been gunned down a few years earlier.

Obviously, for “Hamilton” to work, the lead character has to come across in dynamic fashion, which Blaine Alden Krauss does. When he hits the stage early and belts out “My Shot,” we realize the fiery character driving the show. He’s a young man full of hope and aspirations, but unaware of the self-inflicted challenges ahead of him.

Despite his personal demons, Hamilton accomplished much through his love of country. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, a major author of The Federalist Papers (writing 51 of the 85) and was the first secretary of the treasury of the United States.

His love of the written word also continues today as he founded the “New York Post” in 1801, one of the world’s oldest newspapers.

As George Washington, Kameron Richardson offers the most authoritarian presence in the production, and also perhaps the most balanced. He wonderfully portrays Washington as a leader who understands Hamilton’s talents but also realizes the need to rein him in often for it all to work in a time when there was no room for error in creating our country.

Deon’te Goodman, who portrays Burr, delivers a masterful mix of emotions in handling the many elements of his relationship with Hamilton, from uncomfortable friendliness at first to hatred at the end. Ironically, it is when Burr does learn to be more like Hamilton that the downfall of both begins.

Shortly after meeting Burr, Hamilton asks him, “If you stand for nothing Burr, what do you fall for?” That comment cemented what would be a constantly-at-odds relationship for the rest of their lives.

Goodman’s performance of “The Room Where It Happens” is both one of the show’s top musical moments and also one of the story’s most revealing. In it we see Burr’s jealousy and the accompanying insecurity he tried so hard to hide.

Equally revealing is the song “We Know,” performed by Burr, Jefferson (Simon Longnight), James Madison (Eddie Ortega) and Hamilton. With the discovery comes a realization to Hamilton that even if he wanted to, he could never become president.

Longnight as Jefferson pops in his performance. The rap duel between he and Hamilton, moderated by Washington, is a mesmerizing moment.

Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama delivers solidly as Eliza, the strong but often sad wife of Hamilton. Her emotions run a gauntlet, from the joy of finding the love of her life (the song “Helpless”) to the brink of collapse (the song “Burn”), as she nurses him emotionally through her own pain.

Of course, no Hamilton production would be complete without a memorable performance by King George III (Paul Louis Lessard). Though his time on stage is short, his musical numbers provide some of the show’s greatest and most comical moments.

Some historians have argued the story over-glorifies Hamilton’s life in some aspects. And while you’re not going for a history lesson, all in all it has been noted as a largely accurate depiction of the man and America at the time of its infancy.

But most of all, it is a theatrical event that is worth seeing time and again — and here’s hoping it doesn’t wait too long to make another journey through the Metroplex.

‘Hamilton’

At Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth

Now through June 23

Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes with one intermission.

Tickets: Basshall.com.

Note: The production includes three locals. John Devereaux is a standby and a 2012 graduate of TCU, Lili Froehlich is a Universal Dance Resident and a 2009 graduate of the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, and Eean Cochran graduated from Grapevine Faith Christian School in 2010 and is a swing.