The lights on Broadway are still dark, but fans of the mega-hit “Hamilton” will soon be able to take their shot to see the show from the comfort of their living room.
Disney officials announced Tuesday, that instead of waiting for its big-screen run, a movie with the original cast would instead be streamed on Disney+ July 3.
Surprise! The original Broadway production of Hamilton, filmed LIVE onstage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, is now coming exclusively to #DisneyPlus this July 3rd. Shout it to the rooftops! #Hamilfilm pic.twitter.com/4FK4lZhcO6
— Disney+ (@disneyplus) May 12, 2020
The announcement was made by Disney’s Executive Chairman Robert Iger and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda during “Good Morning America.”
JUST IN: @RobertIger and @Lin_Manuel Miranda announce the filmed version of “Hamilton” coming to @DisneyPlus July 3rd! https://t.co/hhsPclrwpn pic.twitter.com/XcrfdxGOJR
— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 12, 2020
Originally, Disney paid $75 million for the rights to the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical, planning to release it to theaters in October 2021, Deadline reported.
The musical won 11 Tony Awards, a Grammy and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, according to Playbill.
The stream will broadcast the show, which was recorded two weeks before the original cast started to leave. Miranda plays Alexander Hamilton, Christopher Jackson portrays George Washington and Leslie Odom Jr. plays Aaron Burr. They were joined onstage by Daveed Diggs playing the dual role of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, as well as by Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton and Johnathan Groff as King George, Deadline reported.
Tommy Kail, director of the stage show, directed the film that was recorded over three shows, as well as portions filmed without an audience.
Miranda has been working with Disney over the past few years, writing the music for the film “Moana," appearing as Jack the lamplighter in “Mary Poppins Returns" and providing the voice of Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera/Gizmoduck on the new “Ducktales.” He is also working on a live-action version of “The Little Mermaid," writing new music with original composer Alan Menken, Billboard reported.
Cox Media Group