If you loved "Hamilton" - don't miss "Blue Moon"

Full disclosure : I (like many) consider Lin-Manuel Miranda the 21st Century Shakespeare. Easily granted – both are genius, commercially successful playwrights with a broad fan base from young to (like me) old, rich to poor, political to apolitical. Most of all, both their bodies of work demonstrate a way with words that vaults over the highest bars of literacy, poetry and wit for listeners willing to take the time to notice.

It is no wonder, then, that I was mesmerized by a seemingly flawless production of “Hamilton” playing at the Bushnell through the end of this week. Even an otherwise perfect performance of the Hamilton phenomena could fail, however, with the inability of an audience to follow fast-paced, multi-syllabic speech and songs lyrics. Not an issue for me with "Hamilton's" third visit to Hartford in seven years. In addition, a rotating platform enhanced the movement of still and active scenes on the golden-lit, multilevel stage. The precise blend of hip-hop, jazz, rhythm and blues, and traditional Broadway strokes from stage and orchestra pit never missed a beat.

The harmonies of the period-costumed Schuyler sisters matched their striking presences, especially in "Helpless". Indeed, the whole score of this 11 Tony Award winning musical is one show-stopper after another, though George Washington's farewell in "One Last Time" stood out, seemingly to have shaken the rafters while still poignantly touch one's heart. The consistent high quality of the entire production made the final bow of all actors - in unison - most appropriate.

Still, to me, "Hamilton," is all about the words: Fact is - there are over 20,000 of them over the course of the play according to an article in Slate . Their staccato hip-hop pacing, their blend of something old and something new, their peppering with allusions to other plays and even lyrics of the past, are delivered at a pace of over 144 words per minute, says a FiveThirtyEight analysis. It's no surprise no one gets it all in one ...or two...or even more viewings.

While still obsessed with all this wordplay I happened upon a reminiscence of musical theater this week, in a gem of a movie, "Blue Moon." In it, lyricist Lorenz Hart (played by Ethan Hawke) confronts his idiosyncrasies as a song writer in a bar, as his former collaborator, Richard Rodgers, celebrates the 1943 opening night of his groundbreaking hit musical Oklahoma! , scored in partnership with Oscar Hammerstein.

Having been at the opening night himself, Hart bemoans the cockeyed optimism of what he refers to as “Oklahoma with an exclamation point,” calling it a cliche of Americana , as compared to the country his trademark urban wit, edgy sophistication and emotional ambivalence strived to capture. Hart more than agonizes over the over-the-top reception of Oklahoma!

"Blue Moon" reminded me that Lin Manual Miranda may have revolutionized American musical theater, but he didn't rattle the rhythms of the Great White Way alone. Instead he joined a band of Broadway's best, the likes of George M. Cohan to Lorenzo Hart to Meredith Wilson to Stephen Sondheim, all of whom Miranda listened to growing up along with The Notorious, Eminem, and the like.

Ask Miranda about the rappers who most influence his work and he includes Professor Harold Hill, the lead in Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man." The silver-tongued Hill had been fast-talking his schemes and dreams to the River City folk since the late 1950s, decades before rap and hip-hop came on the scene.

During the intermission of the Bushnell performance of "Hamilton" last week I remember thinking. there's a lot going on , on that stage tonight. In retrospect, I can add - a lot of hip hop and rap for sure, but side by side with a touch of Shakespeare, and a bit of Broadway's biggest song-busters who dared to pen an edgy tune.

The national tour of “Hamilton” runs through Nov. 16 at The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 7 p.m. $60-$197. The tour also still offers a popular “Ham4Ham” lottery to win great seats at short notice for $10.

Blue Moon will be playing at Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor Street, Hartford, Wednesday November 12 at 5:05 pm and Thursday November 13 at 1 pm and 5:05 pm