#231 – April 28, 2022 (118/365)

Wednesday 11:30 pm

Just home from seeing Hamilton for my fourth time. This was the first time I’ve seen it in Melbourne and it in no way disappointed me. Quite the opposite.

Working from home on Wednesdays means I finish at three. My wife made it home early from her trip to the office and offered to collect our daughter from school and to take her to her dance lesson. This meant I could head into the city much earlier than expected. I decided to take my camera along to get some photos for the website.

After stopping off at my favourite pizza place (due to isolation I haven’t seen them in two weeks and yes, they were worried) I headed into Melbourne. I had pre-selected my parking establishment and after parking, I headed straight to the theatre. I wanted to see the cast boards. 

All of my manifesting and prayers to Proscenium, the Goddess of theatre, had paid off! The leading roles were all being played by the original cast. No understudies! As talented as the understudies are (and I’ve seen Hamilton’s), I want to see the original cast. But that’s another blog post right there.

I was waiting near the theatre to meet an old band friend when I noticed someone walking across the road to the supermarket opposite the theatre. This person had a hat on and a full mask but I instantly recognised the eyes. That was one of my two goals for the night. I had packed my Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr Funko Pop-Vinyl’s (in their boxes of course) as well as the obligatory Sharpie in the hope of getting them signed.

My friend turned up and we were having a conversation. I was able to keep an eye on the Supermarket via a reflection in the theatre windows and as I was talking, I pulled out the Hamilton Pop-Vinyl to show my friend.

“You should try and get that signed” he said.

“I will, in about fifteen seconds”, I replied.

“What?” He said as I did a beautiful military about-face and said with a smile “Mr Hamilton”. 

I had noticed via the reflection, Jason Arrow, the actor portraying Alexander Hamilton, crossing the road towards the stage door and timed my turn perfectly.

We had a quick chat as he happily signed my Pop-Vinyl box. I asked if he remembers doing a Cameo video for a five-year-old and he said “She liked Hamilton and ballet, right? My youngest fan!” He beamed when I told him that was my daughter and that she would be seeing him in 18 days.

I had my friend take a photo.

Our seats were in the front half of the Grand Circle which was new for me having seen the previous three shows from the stalls. I really enjoyed the different angles, especially seeing how the lighting was used.

The show was amazing and the actors have all really settled into their roles. Even more so than when I saw them in Sydney last year. Does seeing it for a fourth time dull the enjoyment? Not one bit. 

Let me interrupt the flow to bring you a message from our sponsor, Me! Did you love the photo? Each photograph in the 2022 365 Black & White Challenge is made available as a single signed limited edition print. If you are interested, you can purchase the print at the Shop for only $36.50 (including free postage to anywhere in the world). If it’s not there then someone beat you to it! I thank you for your support of my photography and this website.

I left immediately when the performance finished to position myself near the stage door to try and get my Aaron Burr Pop-Vinyl signed.  One by one the musicians, crew and actors started leaving. One tall guy in the most casual of clothes, complete with hat and mask walked through the crowd unnoticed. 

“Excuse me, Lyndon?” I said as he walked past me.

“Yes, mate?” he said. No one else had known it was him. He had a smile when he removed his mask and I was thrilled I had spotted his eyes and correctly guessed his identity.

We had a great chat whilst he happily looked at the Pop-Vinyl and signed the box. He asked if I had enjoyed the show and I told him it was the fourth time I had seen him as Aaron Burr and I loved every one of them. Especially tonight’s performance. He seemed very grateful for the comment and I only realised as I said thanks and goodbye that I forgot to get a photo. Never mind.

“Who was that?” A group of girls asked as I started off.

“Arron Burr,” I said. 

“No way … We were waiting for him and he walked right past us … and we didn’t even notice him.” I heard as I headed off.

So to summarise, a fantastic performance and a successful mission to get my two Funk Pop-Vinyls signed by the two lead performers.

Now to wait 18 days until I see it with my wife, my very excited daughter and my mother.

And then three days after that with my brother and one of his daughters.

But then I have a one hundred and thirty odd day wait until I see it again, so hit me up if you are seeing it and I’ll gladly come along!

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for your time and your attention! I will see tomorrow you for the next post.

Richard

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# Photo Information 
Camera: Nikon Z6 | Lens: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4G @ 50mm | Settings: 1/1600, f/2.2, ISO 4000 | When: Wednesday April 27, 2022 | Where: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cameras: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Nikon D4s | Nikon D700 | Nikon D750 | Nikon D810 | Nikon D850 | Nikon Z6
Lenses: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm 1:4G ED | Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 1:2.8G ED | Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4G | Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G II ED (VR) | Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm 1:1.4E ED | Tamron 90mm 2.8 Macro
Lighting: ICElight

# Useless Website Statistics
Post number: 231 | Published: Thursday April 28, 2022 | Composed: Wednesday April 27, 2022 | Scheduled Posts Ready To Publish: 0 | B&W 365 Challenge: 117/365 (32% complete) | Candidates Folder: 19

# Useless Life Statistics That Only I Like Looking Back On
Audiobook: Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller | Reading: Linda McCartney. Life in Photographs | Favourite recent YouTube video: The Original Human SPACE INVADERS Performance [NOTsoNOISY Guillaume Reymond] | 7DA: 23 | Hamilton: 17/20/136 Days

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