A Cappies Review of The Hamilton Conspiracies

By Emily Gruessing, Rock Ridge High School.

Red beams of light pan across the room of suspects, flashing across their faces, each looking guiltier than the next. Time will tell who has blood on their hands, and history will tell the rest.

The Hamilton Conspiracies, originally titled “The Hamilton Murders,” originated locally at StageCoach Theatre Company in Ashburn, Virginia. This interactive show grasps the audience with six different possible endings (conspiracies) based on historical facts around the time of Alexander Hamilton’s death, with influences from the hit Broadway musical Hamilton.

Written by Terry Smith and produced by Jerri Wiseman, the show was originally created as one of StageCoach’s signature dinner theater experiences in 2020. Since then, the show has been both adapted for the stage as well as fit for high school performers, with a name shift from “murders” to “conspiracies.”

The high school version of this show makes its debut with a wonderful performance from Foxcroft School.

On July 11, 1804, Alexander Hamilton is found dead in New Jersey, 10 paces away from Aaron Burr’s smoking pistol. Back at home, Hamilton’s wife, Eliza, entertains a room full of federalists (the audience) awaiting his return before the Messenger delivers the fateful news.

The suspects range from Alexander’s mistress to his sister-in-law, all the way to his political enemies and the President of the United States. As viewers explore six possible conspiracies, the question is raised: who writes history, and what do they want us to believe? Aaron Burr pulled the trigger, but who really loaded the gun?

Each of the actors showed incredible commitment to their characters while still adding their own unique take on their personalities. One performer evident of this was Anna Carey as Thomas Jefferson. Carey brought countless lighthearted comedic moments, allowing the otherwise dark show to breathe. Her sassy mannerisms hilariously contrasted with her broad, presidential stance.

Not only did she bounce off of her scene partners, but she fearlessly walked straight through the fourth wall, playing off of the audience as well.

Eliza Hamilton (Moriah Friendly) also created beautiful relationships throughout the show. Every time she addressed someone, she demonstrated incredible attention to the moment, from the focus in her eyes to her body language. She stood with poise and walked with grace that was appropriate for her character and the period. Still, she carried a heaviness in her tone, underscoring her tenacity with grief.

Contrasting with Eliza’s control, her sister Angelica’s (Emmy Queen’s) free spirit filled the room. Angelica goes to show that her bubbly, teasing personality is not a marker of lower intelligence.

In fact, she is cunning and quick-witted, unapologetically putting every man in his place. She fiercely contributes to the show’s sub-theme of feminism and female empowerment.

This show’s ability to paint a dramatic picture is straight out of an Agatha Christie novel, thanks to the talents of Foxcroft’s terrific technical teams. The set (Manabi Kono and Elise Rovde) pulled the audience into the room with the characters, built and decorated just like a home from the period.

Additionally, the lighting team (Lauren Graham) did an incredible job setting the tone of the show, such as cold, blue spots on a memory of the late Alexander and red angry flashes during heated moments. The hair and makeup team (AnnaMaria Clarke) completed the characterization with sharp choices such as lip color, contouring and masculinization, and aging lines and gray hair.

Foxcroft’s production of The Hamilton Conspiracies will go down in history as an amazing entrance to Blue Ridge Cappies. I guess you could say that they KILLED it.