Jeffrey Seller, producer of Hamilton, said: “We are constantly exploring ways to use innovative technology for more people to experience Hamilton in its many forms. This mobile app is designed to do just that — provide exciting new ways for fans to interact with and gain access to the musical they love.”
To design, develop, and launch the app, Karns and the Hamilton team partnered with Posse. “In designing and building this app, we set out to create a product worthy of this show and brand. Hamilton has an engaged fan base and as a result we focused on features that make fans feel closer and more connected with the show,” said David DeRemer, Partner at Posse. “The result is an application that sets out to define new standards not just for the theatre industry but for any fan-centric business.”
The technology used to build the app includes the following:
I. Serverless Google Cloud / Firebase
Serverless Architecture
The HAMILTON app is built with a serverless architecture that uses Google’s Cloud Functions and Firebase to handle all of the app’s data and back-end processing.
Real-Time Database (RTDB) means a Real-Time Experience
The HAMILTON app maintains a real-time connection to its database. There is no need for pull-to-refresh in the app because, where appropriate and when there is Internet connectivity, the data in the app is synced automatically with the database.
No App Web APIs
The HAMILTON app is unique in that it achieves its user experience with no HTTPS API endpoints outside of the Firebase framework. There is no REST or other web API for app-to-server communication. The HAMILTON app’s unique data communication approach—leveraging the Firebase Real-Time Database—drastically simplified API development. It also bolsters the app’s security, as authentication and security is handled by Firebase and there are no exposed web endpoints to be hacked.
Asynchronous API Pattern
The HAMILTON app (via Cloud Functions) and Firebase leverage an asynchronous API. The app sends a data payload for a request to the serverless back-end, which triggers a Cloud Function that runs asynchronously. Users of the app can do other things during processing. Since the app leverages Firebase’s real-time database, it’s notified of the result in real-time when a function is complete.
II. Mobile Technologies
Flutter
The mobile apps are available on both iOS and Android, and use a combination of Google’s Flutter framework and native technologies.
Flutter, a cross-platform mobile development framework created by Google, is an emerging solution for developers that want to author code once for deployment to both iOS and Android. Cross-platform solutions drastically reduce the amount of code that needs to be written, tested, and managed.
Since Flutter is still in its early stages, the HAMILTON, Posse, and Flutter teams collaborated closely throughout the process. Posse implemented Flutter and coordinated the collaboration between all three parties. As a result, not only was HAMILTON able to build a brand-driven app experience, the Flutter framework was also significantly improved. Based on the real needs of the HAMILTON app, Posse and Google worked together to add new features to Flutter and identify and fix bugs in the framework.
Native Features & Experiences
Flutter makes it easy for developers to customize user experience to the design conventions of the platform so that the app feels fully native.
While a large portion of the HAMILTON app was developed with Flutter, some of the features are native. For instance, the #HamCam camera feature is fully native and custom to each platform (i.e., the iOS camera is a native iOS implementation and the Android camera is a native implementation). The key takeaway here is that with “cross-platform apps,” fully native features can easily co-exist with non-native features.
III. Real-Time CMS
The HAMILTON app has a web-based CMS for creating and managing content in the app, which updates in-app content in real-time. The CMS allows the HAMILTON Teams to deliver the following content:
- Newsfeed sections/Newsfeed posts – The app will be the best place to access important and exclusive content about the show.
- #HamCam overlays- The #HamCam gives fans unique filters, including geo-targeted filters that are only unlocked at certain locations, to create one-of-a-kind HAMILTON photos.
- Sticker Packs/Stickers – The stickers offer a fun way for people to include the ideas, phrases, and artistry of HAMILTON in their everyday conversations.
IV. Replatformed lottery system
The in-app mobile lottery system is designed to make it easier to give the public the chance to see HAMILTON for only $10. HAMILTON partnered with Lucky Seat to manage the ticket lotteries on the web and in the mobile app.
The mobile app has a unique integration leveraging cloud PubSub technologies to connect LuckySeat’s lottery system with the mobile app’s serverless infrastructure. The solution ensures a high-performance mobile experience for the user while significantly reducing the complexity of integrating the two platforms.
V. Other Cloud Technology & 3rd-Party Integrations
Google Cloud Technologies
In addition to Firebase, the application use Cloud PubSub, Cloud Storage, StackDriver Logging and Error Reporting, Firebase Analytics, Firebase Cloud Messaging, as well as other Google technologies.
Third-party integrations
The app has direct integration with third-party providers for the lottery and merchandise systems, including a Magento API integration.
“We are so excited to launch this new avenue to connect with our community. This is just the jumping off point for more innovative features that we will continue to roll out in the coming year and beyond” says Karns.
The Hamilton application is available for download today at:
- Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hamilton.app
- Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hamilton-the-official-app/id1255231054?ls=1&mt=8
The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW) will hold its 10th Annual “Women Stage the World March” — a Suffragette-inspired project to educate the public about the role of women in the theatre industry — on Saturday, June 17. The march will begin at noon, at Shubert Alley and weave through Times Square and the Broadway Theatre District, wrapping up at about 2 p.m.
“The event is FREE and LPTW invites all theatre women and allies to join us as we increase awareness, lift our voices, and advocate for more opportunities for women in theatre,” said Ludovica Villar-Hauser, Co-President of LPTW.
“The Women Stage the World March is designed to educate the public about the role women play in creating theatre and the barriers they face as men continue to outnumber women by 4 to 1 in key roles such as playwright, director and designers. Women buy 67% of the tickets and represent 65% of the audience, yet 80% of the storytelling on stage is shaped by men’s voices,” said Katrin Hilbe, Co-President of LPTW.
Handouts during the March will prompt ticket-buyers to ask three questions as they make buying decisions: (1) Who wrote, directed and designed this play? (2) What is this theatre’s track record in giving opportunities to women? (3) How can you spread the word and promote women’s voices?
“All participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite historical theatre woman, or dress all in white. March participants will gather at Shubert Alley starting at 11:30 AM, in preparation for the start of the march at noon. Women Stage the World sashes and signs will be provided, as supplies last,” noted Penelope Deen, LPTW member and organizer of the event. Those interested in participating in the event please R.S.V.P. at: https://www.theatrewomen.org/women-stage-the-world or contact Penelope Deen at: Womenstagetheworld@Theatrewomen.org
LPTW Co-President Ludovica Villar-Hauser added: “The League of Professional Theatre Women stands alongside the Writers Guild of America (WGA) as they demand fair wages and take action to ensure more protections for artists. We encourage LPTW members to find a time to join the WGA on the picket lines this month as the strike continues. Women writers are the future of the film and television industry, just as they lead the way in theatre. LPTW supports the women on the frontlines of this movement as they call for long overdue change. We are stronger together.”
For the past 10 years LPTW members, affiliated union members, theatre artists and their allies have hit the streets in a March reminiscent of the Suffragette parades of the early 20th Century, with some marchers dressed in traditional suffrage garb and colors. Like the Suffragettes before them, participants in the Women Stage the World March empower women and men to become aware, take action and influence others.
The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW) is a membership organization championing women in theatre and advocating for increased equity and access for all theatre women. Our programs and initiatives create community, cultivate leadership, and increase opportunities and recognition for women working in theatre. The organization provides support, networking and collaboration mechanisms for members, and offers professional development and educational opportunities for all theatre women and the general public. LPTW celebrates the historic contributions and contemporary achievements of women in theatre, both nationally and around the globe, and advocates for parity in employment, compensation and recognition for women theatre practitioners through industry-wide initiatives and public policy proposals. LPTW is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2023.
John Kander & Fred Ebb / Bob Fosse musical Chicago is now the longest running show playing on Broadway. Having played 10,338 performances, Chicago is the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking hit musical playing at the Ambassador Theatre, 219 W. 49th St., NYC.
Lin-Manuel Miranda brought out a. special edition of Ham4Ham outside the Richard Rodgers Theater yesterday and it was a star studded afternoon.
J Harrison Ghee
First up Leopoldstadt stars Josh Molina and Brandon Uranowitz introduced Some Like It Hot‘s J. Harrison Ghee, who performed “You Coulda Knocked Me Over With a Feather” accompanied by the show’s composer, Marc Shaiman. You can watch the beginning of this and the whole performance of that song here.
The crowds
Then Nikki Crawford and playwright James Ijames from Fat Ham, introduced composer Jason Robert Brown and performers Ben Platt and Michaela Diamond who perform the duet “This Is Not Over Yet” from the must see revival of Parade.
The Thanksgiving Play stars D’Arcy Carden and Chris Sullivan introduced book writer Robert Horn and the Tony-nominated cast of Shucked recreated new lyrics for “We Love Jesus” and a parody of Hamilton‘s “The Story of Tonight.”led by Ashley D. Kelley, Grey Henson, Andrew Durand and Kevin Cahoon
This was a spectacular afternoon that can only be had in NYC.
Kevin Cahoon
T2c would love to thank these three ladies who gave us a chair to sit on.
Yesterday the 72nd Annual Awards honoring achievements in the 2022-2023 Broadway and Off-Broadway season were presented at the Bruno Walter Auditorium, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
Here are highlights from the show.
Outstanding New Score: Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman – Some Like It Hot
T2c interviewed the fantastic duo.
Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play: Bill Irwin –Endgame
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical: Alex Newell – Shucked
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical: J. Harrison Ghee
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play: Brandon Uranowitz – Leopoldstadt
T2c talked to this amazing performer before the ceremony.
Special Achievement Award:To B.H. Barry, one of the world’s foremost fight directors.
Outstanding New Broadway Play: Leopoldstadt and Outstanding Director of a Play:Patrick Marber – Leopoldstadt
Outstanding New Broadway Musical: Some Like It Hot Robert E. Wankel and Neil Meron
On May 29th catch Samantha Pauly for Memorial Day. Best known for originating the role of Katherine Howard in Broadway’s smash hit SIX the Musical, and her captivating performance as Eva Peron in Jamie Lloyd’s critically acclaimed revival of Evita on London’s West End, Samantha Pauly has carefully crafted an evening that reflects the last few years of her life. Join this Grammy nominee and Drama Desk Award winner as she revisits some career highlights, Broadway classics, pop/rock favorites, and all the fun stuff in between.
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and actor Reeve Carneyreturns to Chelsea Table + Stage June 4th to perform a night of music honoring the artistry of the legendary rock n’ roll supergroup Led Zeppelin. Carney is best known for his portrayal of Dorian Grayin on Showtime’s Penny Dreadful, Riff Raff in Fox’s Rocky Horror Picture Show Reimagining, as well as originating the role of Peter Parker in Julie Taymor/U2’s Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark. He is currently starring in the Broadway blockbuster, Hadestown. Reeve Carney delivers a one-man-show cabaret that feels more like an invitation-only after-party than a traditional concert performance. Don’t miss this special performance from one of Broadway’s leading actors!
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