COLUMBIA — It's the only show that can gather hip-hop lovers, theater enthusiasts and history buffs into one room.
In 2016 it shattered records and Broadway norms, and in 2020 the show reached new heights streaming to millions on Disney+.
Now, the smash hit "Hamilton," which has held on to its cultural relevance for nearly a decade, is on its way to Columbia, marking a shift for the arts community in the city often better known for its sports than shows.
"It's musically brilliant," said Eddie Ortega, who plays Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the touring production headed to Soda City. "It just feels a little larger than life."
'It's a huge deal'
When it hit Broadway nearly a decade ago, "Hamilton" soared in popularity before winning several Tony Awards and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Some went to see creator Lin Manuel Miranda's follow-up to his earlier show, "In the Heights." Others went for an American history lesson. And some went purely curious to hear rap music on a Broadway stage.
But in the years since, "Hamilton" has maintained a tight grip on its popularity and cultural relevance. It's still on Broadway in New York, and productions tour with it in the U.S. and internationally.
The key to its lasting success is rather simple, Ortega said.Â
"There's just no other show like 'Hamilton,"' he said.
As a stop on its North American tour, the Thomas Kail-directed musical is hitting the Koger Center for the Arts for two weeks, starting Feb. 27.Â
"It's a big deal," said Chip Wade, marketing director for the Koger Center. "It's a huge deal."
The 2020s have marked a turning point for the arts scene in South Carolina's capital city, Wade said.
In 2020, the Koger Center snagged "Wicked" after years of work, including making renovations to the theater. The show, which stayed for a three-week run, sold 97 percent of its tickets.
Despite a pandemic, the following seasons proved successful for the Koger Center, bringing in more big-name shows like "The Lion King" and now, "Hamilton."
"We knew that if 'Wicked' was successful then we would get … all the big shows," Wade said. "Because you have to prove yourself before you can do that."
And when big shows come to Columbia, the tourism economy sees a boost, with patrons from around the state spending nights in hotels and eating meals out, Wade said.
'A lot of parallel'
Another key to "Hamilton's" enduring popularity is rooted in its patriotic message and relevance to American politics, Ortega said.
The show, which has now seen three presidential races during its run, features the heated election of 1800, a scene that might feel familiar to modern-day viewers, he said.
"I think it's relevant in just humanizing politicians (and) we don't get that, truly, from our news outlets," Ortega said. "What we see are these pundits who are trying to get a job …but here you get to see the tragedy of Hamilton's story."
Adapted from the biography, "Alexander Hamilton" by Ron Chernow, the musical show highlights early origins of political parties as the Founding Fathers fought to forge the United States.
"It's the beginning of the political parties splitting from Democratic Republicans and Federalists," Ortega said. "And it's the same thing with Republicans and Democrats now. There's a lot of parallel."
But making a story that is more than 200 years old relevant to today's audiences takes work, Ortega said. He studied the history of his characters to better understand how to portray them.
Limited tickets are still available to see Hamilton at the Koger Center from Feb. 27 to March 10.
