Finally!

At long last, Hamilton has arrived in Montreal, serving up a theatrical cocktail the likes of which locals have rarely imbibed.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other obstacles, it took Evenko mastermind Nick Farkas close to seven years to land this spectacle on the stage here, almost as long as it took the American Revolution — the backbone of the show’s narrative — to play out.

Hamilton — running until Sept. 7 at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of Place des Arts — is a game-changer on so many levels. Based on the Ron Chernow biography Alexander Hamilton, the play’s music, lyrics and book were created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, also the original star of the piece.

And hail to the genius of Miranda in so originally and fascinatingly recounting the unlikely rise of U.S. founding father Hamilton. This is a history lesson of sorts — clearly with liberties taken for dramatic effect — wrapped around a hypnotic, non-stop 2 1/2-hour hip-hop performance. Or is it vice versa? Regardless, its after-effects are still reverberating for many days later.

If history were this much fun in high school, the subject would have served as a stimulant, not a sedative for some of us. No chance of dozing off here — even with its whopping running time of nearly three hours, including one intermission.

There is nothing static about this production. It is electric from the get-go. The players are in constant motion — singing, dancing, emoting. And the stage moves in sync with the performers.

There is nothing minimalist about this production, either. The stage setup is about as elaborate and dazzling as any to have ever hit town. Add to this equally eye-popping Revolutionary-era costuming.

Can’t say enough about the players, either. It’s a wonder some aren’t in need of oxygen, trying to catch their breath between lines and moves.

Tyler Fauntleroy is simply magnetic as........

© Montreal Gazette