‘Hamilton’ remains as compelling and relevant as ever in return visit to Chicago

Pierre Jean Gonzalez stars as Alexander Hamilton in the national touring production of “Hamilton” now playing at the Nederlander Theatre. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)

As it returns to Chicago over three years after its initial multiyear run here, “Hamilton” remains a show as essential as ever, its meaning — or meanings — even more urgent than when it premiered at the Public Theater in 2015 on its way to accolades and hype galore.  

But this touring version raises the concern that the producers now prioritize a certain level of corporatized consistency over performative inspiration.