There's nothing quite like your first Broadway show. From the excitement of picking out an outfit, to making dinner reservations beforehand, a first Broadway show is a milestone event in anyone's life. And hopefully, you will love the show so much that you'll come back for another Broadway show. We at Playbill want to make your first time at a Broadway show a success, so that is why we've put together this handy first-timer's guide for the musical Hamilton—one of Broadway's most popular shows.

Below, we answer your frequently asked questions about Hamilton, from should you watch the Disney+ movie to how to get cheap tickets. Here is what you should know about the room where it happens.

What Is Hamilton About?

Hamilton is about the life, and early death, of Alexander Hamilton, America's Founding Father and creator of the First Bank of the United States. But don't worry, it's not about boring money talk. Instead, the musical created by Lin-Manuel Miranda paints an exciting portrait of a man who, with a group of other "young, scrappy, and hungry" revolutionaries, fought the British, established the United States, and then died tragically. What makes the musical so beloved is how it takes history that we all thought we know and makes it immediate and exciting—such as through the casting of people of color as the Founding Father (using the people of America now to tell the story of America then) and Miranda's catchy hip-hop score. 

There's a reason Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the Pulitzer Prize. 

What Is the Running Time of Hamilton?

Hamilton runs two hours and 45 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. You should aim to get at the theatre at least 30 minutes early if you need to use the restroom, or if you want to buy a drink or merch. Hamilton runs on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, at 226 W 46th St.

Do I Need to Listen to the Cast Album or Watch the Disney+ Movie?

Not necessarily. But, we will warn you that if you've never listened to the musical, the first time at Hamilton can seem overwhelming because the music, dialogue, and characters come fast and furious. And Miranda places a lot of important information into some very quick verses. So if you're the kind of person who needs to feel like they're getting everything about the musical in the first go, it could be beneficial to listen to the cast album or watch the movie on Disney+.

But if you do, please be aware that the cast you see on Broadway will be  different than the cast on the album or in the film. Many of the actors in the film have long left the production, which means there are new actors in their place. So allow those new actors to put their own mark on the roles and don't expect them to be exactly like the actors you saw in the film.

Is Lin-Manuel Miranda in Hamilton Now?

No. He's very busy with other projects. And generally, original cast members for Broadway productions tend to depart after a year in the show—and Hamilton has been running for over 10 years.

But if you visit Hamilton September 9–November 26, you will see original cast member Leslie Odom, Jr. play Aaron Burr again, in honor of the show's 10th anniversary. Tickets for those performances are going fast so we recommend buying them ASAP.

Can I Sing Along With the Cast?

If you know the Hamilton score and love it, you might feel the need to sing along. But that can be disruptive to the audience members around you, who also paid money to see the show. So while you can sway or applaud at a particularly impressive moment, keep the singing at home. 

Is Hamilton Family Friendly?

Hamilton does contain swearing so it is not recommended for children under the age of 10. In addition, there are gunshot noises and loud music cues throughout so if you are sensitive to loud noises, be sure to bring some ear plugs. There are no strobe lights. 

How Do I Get Cheap Tickets to Hamilton?

In Hamilton's hey-day with the original Broadway cast, tickets were going for as high as $1,000. That is no longer the case and actually, Hamilton's average ticket prices are around $199—that means there are plenty of tickets to be had for under $100. 

But if you want an even cheaper option, Hamilton has an online lottery, Ham4Ham, where lucky winners can get front row orchestra tickets for $10. The $10 lottery is run weekly and you enter online via HamiltonMusical.com and the Hamilton app. The lottery opens Fridays at 10 AM ET, with the entrance portal open through the following Thursday at noon. Winner and non-winner notifications are sent between 1 PM and 4 PM every Thursday for the following week's performances. Winners have two hours to claim and pay for their tickets using either a debit or a credit card.

For card-carrying military veterans, a $25 ticket discount is available via ID.ME. 

You can also visit TKTS Booth in Times Square, which provides same-day discounted tickets to select shows on Broadway. Not every Broadway show is available at TKTS, and Hamilton rarely ever appears at the booth. But rarely is not never, so be sure to keep your eye out. The TKTS booth hours are generally 3 PM to 8 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Friday; 11 AM to 8 PM Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday; and 11 AM to 7 PM Sunday. Click here to view the currently available discounts.

How Can I Get to the Richard Rodgers Theatre by Subway?

There are many subway lines that will lead you to the Richard Rodgers Theatre at 226 W 46th St. 

• The A, C, or E to 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, or to 50th Street.  
• The 1, 2, or 3 to 42nd Street and 7th Avenue. Or take the 1 to 50th street.
• The 7 to Times Square-42nd Street.
• The S to Times Square-42nd Street.
• The N, R, Q, or W to Times Square. Or the N, W, or R to 49th Street.
• The B, D, F, or M to 4nd Street and 6th Avenue. Or the B, D, F, or M to 47-50th Street/Rockefeller Center.

Note these stops may change late nights or on the weekends, or if there's disruption on the subway. So check MTA.info or the official MTA app for the most up-to-date travel information.

Where Should I Sit at Hamilton?

The Richard Rodgers Theatre has good sight-lines, and because most of the action in Hamilton takes place center stage, there are really no bad seats in the house. But if you want specifics, the middle to back orchestra, or the front mezzanine offer the best views—because sitting too close to the stage can prevent you from seeing what's happening in the back of the stage. And sitting a bit higher in the mezzanine is actually quite beneficial because it lets you see the action happening in the balcony section of the set. But you can't go wrong, wherever you're sitting.

What Should I Wear to Hamilton?

Business casual is a good rule of thumb for Hamilton or any Broadway show. There's no need to dress too formally. Remember, it can feel tight in a Broadway house so don't wear anything that will spill over to the seat next to you or will block the view of the folks sitting behind you. There isn't a coat check at the Richard Rodgers so keep the giant purses or suitcases at home. Any bag you bring should fit under your seat.   

Is the Richard Rodgers Theatre Accessible?

Yes. Hamilton has specially marked seats for wheelchair users, seats for audience members who are hard of seeing or hard of hearing, and seats with movable armrests for patrons with limited mobility—these seats are all located in the orchestra section. They are marked accordingly on ticketing websites. If you do not see those seats available to purchase on the date you selected, that's because those seats are sold out. But generally, seats in the orchestra section rows A through K are accessed through a ramp. Other seats in the Richard Rodgers can only be accessed through steps.

The Richard Rodgers also has a wheelchair accessible bathroom at ground level. 

Hamilton also offers headsets for sound augmentation, free of charge, as well as captioning services. See an usher or front-of-house worker if you  need any accessibility services.

Where Is the Hamilton Stage Door?

It's to the left as you exit the theatre (there's a sign that says Richard Rodgers stage door). But if you are going to stage door, be sure to follow stage door best practices: A signature from a cast member is a bonus, not a guarantee. And be kind to your fellow fans stage dooring (no pushing).

How Do I Purchase Tickets to Hamilton?

Hamilton tickets can be purchased at the box office of the Richard Rodgers, which is opened Monday–Saturday 10 AM–8 PM and Sundays 11 AM–5 PM (one-show day) or 11 AM–7 PM (two-show day). Purchasing at the box office is a great way to avoid ticket surcharge fees.

Hamilton's official online ticket seller is Broadway Direct. Any other sellers who offer tickets to Hamilton may come with additional fees or different pick-up info than the ones sold by Broadway Direct. If you're ready to see Hamilton, click here.