ME premiere of multiple prizewinner Hamilton in Abu Dhabi next year

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Producers Jeffrey Seller and Michael Cassel have announced that the Tony, Grammy, Olivier and Pulitzer Prize winning production Hamilton will make its Middle East premiere in Abu Dhabi next year, with a 3-week run at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Jan. 17 — Feb. 4, 2024.

Pre-sale tickets will go on sale on May 19, 2023, with general on-sale tickets available on May 22, 2023. Audiences can experience Hamilton with performances starting at Dhs180. Hamilton premiered on Broadway in 2015 to critical and audience acclaim, and has gone on to play seasons in London’s West End, Australia, Germany and will soon embark on an international tour, premiering in New Zealand and the Philippines, before it arrives to debut in Abu Dhabi.

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Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, it takes the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and creates a revolutionary moment in theatre – a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education.

With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography of the American legend who was US President George Washington’s aide and closest advisor. It is the story of America then, told by America now.

Hamilton makes its Middle East premiere in Abu Dhabi next year.

Miranda’s global phenomenon has been captivating fans across the world since it burst to life in 2015 and has received an array of accolades, including 11 Tony Awards, seven Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Hamilton Producer Jeffrey Seller said: “From the spectacular opening night in Sydney in 2021, through the sensational seasons in Melbourne, Brisbane and soon, Auckland and Manila, audiences have embraced Hamilton with an enthusiasm we could never have imagined.”

Michael Cassel AM, Producer and CEO, Michael Cassel Group, said: “I’m thrilled to bring Hamilton to Abu Dhabi and continue the show’s global journey. Hamilton’s themes of hope, equality, and the power of storytelling are universal, and I believe they will resonate deeply with audiences in the Middle East. It has been a thrill to see audiences in Australia fall in love with the show – be it in Australia or the Philippines, and I’m excited to see it connect with audiences in Abu Dhabi.”

“Abu Dhabi’s live entertainment scene is thriving, and we are witnessing a growing interest in theatre culture, from locally produced shows to international stage performances,” said Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi.Taghrid Alsaeed, Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing at Miral, said: “We are thrilled to announce that Yas Island’s Etihad Arena will be hosting the Middle East premiere of award-winning Broadway musical Hamilton, next year. Our partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi, MCG, and Proactiv to bring this event to Abu Dhabi reinforces our commitment to providing visitors with world-class shows and events, while further positioning Yas Island as a top global destination for entertainment and leisure.”

“2024 is off to a great start as we bring revolutionary theatre to the UAE audience,” said Nicolas Renna, Managing Director at Proactiv Entertainment. “Hamilton has been endorsed globally by people from all walks of life — from young hip-hop fans and middle-aged theatre fanatics to history buffs and musical lovers.”

Hamilton has received an array of accolades.

Etihad Arena will be specially configured for the show. Royal First Row, Royal and VIP tickets will be located on the floor, offering the best views and most intimate experiences. Proactiv Entertainment is a global promoter and producer of large-scale shows, international exhibitions and music concerts. It has more than thirty years of experience in the entertainment sector and is headquartered in Barcelona, with offices in Madrid and Abu Dhabi.

Projects include internationally recognised shows such as Broadway’s The Lion King, Disney On Ice, Disney Live!, Star Wars in Concert, Marvel Universe Live, Peppa Pig’s Adventure, Harlem Globetrotters, WWE, Monster Jam and successful exhibitions such as FC Barcelona The Exhibition and Meet Vincent Van Gogh. Proactiv Entertainment also has collaborated with artists like Andrea Bocelli, Maluma and Juan Luis Guerra.

Miral is one of Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences that contributes to Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification. From conception to operation, its offerings attract visitors from across the globe, accelerating the realisation of the emirate’s tourism vision and growth. It is responsible for the development and management of Yas Island and oversees Saadiyat Island’s Destination Management Strategy. Miral also has a portfolio of projects under construction worth over Dhs13 billion on Yas Island and across the emirate. Michael Cassel Group is a leading live entertainment company formed to produce and create theatrical productions and live entertainment. Productions include the first international tour of the world’s No: 1 musical, The Lion King, the Australian premieres of the award-winning productions Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and & Juliet, and new productions of Mary Poppins and The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Current Broadway, US Touring and West End credits include co-producer of MJ: The Musical, Into The Woods and Pretty Woman. In addition to the group’s theatrical interests, it represents former Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, journalist and broadcaster Liz Hayes, former Olympian and global sporting administrator Lord Sebastian Coe. It is headquartered in Sydney, with offices in New York, Singapore and Melbourne.