Rachelle Ann Go as Elizabeth “Eliza” Schuyler Hamilton. Image: GMG Productions
Months before the cast of “Hamilton” is set to hold their closing stage on Nov. 26, Rachelle Ann Go declared that she had a vision that the hit musical would be staged in the Philippines early on.
Go’s journey as Elizabeth “Eliza” Schuyler Hamilton started in the musical’s West End production in December 2017. Six years later, she returned to the Philippines armed with the knowledge and experiences gathered throughout her stint—a clear sign she had come so far.
“When I did [Eliza] in the West End, I had a feeling that ‘Hamilton’ will be going to the Philippines. I just had that vision. I told myself, I will do this role in the Philippines,” Go told reporters during the press conference for the musical’s local staging, which started its run last Sept. 17 and will end on Nov. 26 at The Theatre in Solaire.
It was clear that Go manifested “Hamilton’s” Philippine tour early on. So for the singer-actress, having the chance to portray Eliza for her “kababayans” is a dream come true. “It’s such a dream come true to be home with my [‘Hamilton’] family. Pangarap ko rin [talaga] ‘yun (It was really my dream to do this).”
“Filipinos are very polite. [While performing], I heard others asking, ‘Are they enjoying it?’ But it’s just that Filipinos are very polite. We have to wait for the number to [be done in order to] give their applause, which is amazing,” she continued, looking back at past performances where her countrymen can be seen in the audience.
“I was watching everyone thinking, ‘Are they sleeping?’ But they’re into it. They’re like absorbing every single word [and] every single scene. So to see their faces in awe, it just makes my heart jump,” she further recalled.
It’s common knowledge that the concert scene in the Philippines is explosive, almost to the point of being overwhelming for first-timers. But the energy is undeniable. Instead of chanting the singer’s name, fans sing along from start to finish. Others would bark like dogs or stomp their feet loudly. But one of the most well-loved traditions is the famous “Walang uuwi (no one is going home)” in the final song or encore.
The local theater scene is explosive as well—but in its own way. Many fans would be silent. They would savor the emotions expressed by the actor through their lines or songs. Laughs or silent tears are heard at some point. But silence would always take over. The loud cheers and applause eventually come at the end of the show.
“As a Filipino, seeing my kababayans enjoying and having fun is amazing. This is the difference between performing abroad and just being home in itself. It’s such a gift,” Go said.
“I think in the Philippines, there’s a notion in the theater that the audience should be quiet. But if it’s a concert scene, you’re allowed to be loud. But [‘Hamilton’] is hip-hop and rap, they can sing and chant with us,” she added.
Telling Eliza’s story
Among the highlights of the first act is the shift to downtown Manhattan through the bouncy “The Schuyler Sisters,” which introduces Eliza as well as her sisters Angelica and Margarita or Peggy. They were initially brought up with the purpose of marrying wealthy men but fate—and the revolution—had other plans.
“The first time I did the show, it was six years ago in London. I believe I was a totally different person back then. Now, I am a mom of two,” Go said. “If you ask me [what scene is the most memorable for me] at the time, the answer would’ve been different. But my favorite moment, not really favorite per se, but the scene that really gets to the most is [her son] Philip’s death.”
In “Blow Us All Away” in the second act, Philip was only 19 years old when he was fatally shot by George Eacker in a duel. Eacker, who constantly put Alexander Hamilton down in public, was confronted by Eliza’s son, which resulted in his untimely death.
Rachelle Ann Go with the cast of “Hamilton” together with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Image:Instagram/@gorachelleann
“Philip’s death gets me really emotional because now, I don’t have to dig deeper before approaching the scene. I can be in that moment and feel all the emotions because I know how to be a mom. I know what a mom feels like,” she said.
Apart from her personal life, being a mother of two “changed her priorities” when it comes to bringing her roles in theater to life, particularly Eliza’s story.
“Before, I was just thinking that I need to sing this song perfectly. I need to hit the right notes. Now, it’s not about that. It’s about telling the story and sharing what the musical is about,” she said.