| I saw only Javier's Alexander until last night, albeit with the full company. Comparing a performance from October of 2015 with one in my living room on film isn't fair. But I still think the Muñoz Hamilton was more nuanced overall, particularly in act two, and -- others may disagree -- a better match for the Odom Burr. The two felt like strange locked together soulmates, both wiry and intensely focused. Lin's performance is charismatic because, well, he is a unique one of a kind. I loved him in the recorded performance (and of course, know only his vocals). But the role isn't otherwise a perfect fit. He's a bit of a puppy dog and the man is fox-like. The Munoz Hamilton feels like the guy they're describing, the big mouth with the charismatic presence. And what Angelia sings about -- those intelligent eyes in that frame. Maybe it was written about Miranda, but it worked especially well with Muñoz. But to repeat myself, Miranda is Miranda, and his Alexander is now for the ages. To overthink his performance's relative success feels nitpicky. |
