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For the past year, history has been happening in Manhattan as the cast and crew of Hamilton have gathered outside the Richard Rodgers Theatre for free, public performances. What originally began as a way to publicize the show’s ticket lottery — pay $10 to see the $10 founding father without a father — quickly blossomed into the most innovative and accessible show on Broadway. Hamilton tickets may be impossible to get, but Lin-Manuel Miranda’s #Ham4Ham shows brought free performances to the people with an eclectic mix of celebrity cameos, songs from the show, and the occasional lip sync battle.
On Tuesday, the show announced that the live performances are coming to an end “for now,” with the promise of the occasional digital performance in the future. The good news? The online ticket lottery will continue, so you still have a shot at getting tickets.
Here, EW rounds up a few of our all-time favorite #Ham4Ham shows, from Lea Salonga and Patti Lupone to Elmo and Jimmy Fallon.
1. In the Heights reunion
Aug. 1, 2015
Before he turned his eye to the Revolutionary War, Miranda wrote and starred in In the Heights, so he recruited a few of his former cast members — Chris Jackson, Jon Rua, Javier Muñoz (who’s now leading Hamilton in the title role), and Karen Olivo — for a mini reunion.
2. Opening night
Aug. 6, 2015
To celebrate the show’s official Broadway opening, Miranda read the opening of Ron Chernow’s Hamilton biography, the book that introduced him to Hamilton’s story.
3. “The Schuyler Sisters” with the Three Georges
Oct. 25, 2015
When Andrew Rannells joined the show as the new King George, the previous two Georges (Jonathan Groff and Brian d’Arcy James) welcomed him to the cast with an epic “Schuyler Sisters” lip sync. Work!
4. “A Whole New World” with Lea Salonga
Nov. 11, 2015
Lea Salonga stopped by for a shining, shimmering, and splendid duet with Miranda on “A Whole New World” from Aladdin.
5. Jimmy Fallon channels King George
Jan. 20, 2016
When these New York City streets got colder over the winter, Hamilton moved the lottery online and kicked off a series of digital #Ham4Ham shows. One of the most memorable videos came when Jimmy Fallon put his impression skills to good use and sang “You’ll Be Back” as Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and more.
6. Lin does Les Mis
Jan. 27, 2016
Apparently not content to simply write and star in his own hit Broadway musical, Miranda also made a cameo in another one, providing the offstage voices for a Sunday performance of Les Miserables.
7. Right Hand Yankovic
Feb. 13, 2016
Who knew “Right Hand Man” sounded so good on the accordion? When Weird Al Yankovic saw the show, Miranda recruited him for a digital #Ham4Ham (and showed off his own Weird Al impression).
8. Here comes General Elmo
Feb. 14, 2016
#Ham4Ham didn’t just attract human celebrities. Elmo traveled from Sesame Street to the Richard Rodgers Theatre to help Chris Jackson sing “The Story of Tonight.”
9. A West Wing cabinet battle
March 23, 2016
Earlier this year, the cast traveled to D.C. for a special performance at the White House, and while they were there, they filmed a West Wing-style walk and talk in the actual West Wing.
10. Hamilton goes Star Wars
May 4, 2016
Because Miranda apparently doesn’t have enough on his plate, he also volunteered to write a song for last year’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, co-writing a piece with director J.J. Abrams. To celebrate Star Wars Day (a.k.a. May the Fourth), Abrams stopped by to perform their cantina song.
11. Patti Lupone gives her regards to Broadway
May 18, 2016
One of Broadway’s biggest divas made an appearance to sing “Give My Regards to Broadway” — and leave Miranda completely starstruck.
12. Miranda’s final #Ham4Ham
July 6, 2016
In July, Miranda said farewell to his own show and departed the cast, handing the #Ham4Ham hosting duties to Rory O’Malley. For his final #Ham4Ham, he read a letter from Hamilton to his wife Eliza, written in 1780.
13. Cynthia Erivo sings Lemonade
Aug. 10, 2016
For one of O’Malley’s first shows as #Ham4Ham host, Cynthia Erivo stopped by just a few weeks after she won a Tony for her role in The Color Purple, belting out an a capella rendition of Beyonce’s “Sandcastles.”
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