BUFFALO, N.Y. — When the word got out that the musical Hamilton was slated for Shea’s Performing Arts Center, many said they cracked open their history books to brush up on events. That’s because while weaving in hip hop culture, the production raps through the American Revolutionary War, penning The Federalist Papers, and beyond.

Hamilton follows lead character Alexander Hamilton, of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Pierre Jean Gonzalez, who plays Hamilton, says that the show is relevant to our current time.

“Just like in the show, the country is coming to a point where we have to make change,” Gonzalez said. “We need our leaders to bring the country together. Right now, dealing with the pandemic, there’s so many similarities with what is happening with our country and what’s happening with Hamilton.”

Though the show was filled with serious topics, it was peppered with lots of humor to lighten the tone. One of the characters who did just that was King George, played by Western New Yorker Neil Haskell.

“Depending on what I think is funny that night of what the audience is perceiving as funny, I’m able to play around with that with different mannerisms and timing,” Haskell said.

Haskell grew up in Clarence Center, where he learned to act and dance. He attended Shea’s productions for years and says he was honored to perform in his hometown.

“The first show was very overwhelming,” Haskell said. “It got me very emotional, because I’ve never performed in Buffalo as a professional. It felt amazing to do that.”

Gonzalez says that he also loves the fact that this production celebrates diversity.

“I’m a Dominican, Puerto Rican boy from the Bronx who is playing Alexander Hamilton,” Gonzalez said. “That right there is a statement alone.”

The show runs at Shea’s through January 2.