Over the course of American history, it has been taught that Alexander Hamilton is one of the country’s founding fathers, was involved in the first sex scandal in the United States, and is currently on our ten dollar bill. Like any founding father, we have seen Hamilton in our history textbooks, biographies, and even in our wallet. Why do people keep talking about Hamilton all of a sudden and why do they keep calling him a hip/hop master?
“A story about America then told by America now.” Now unless you live under a rock, or have no idea what is going on in the glitz and glamor of Broadway, I am sure you have heard of this little production that opened on Broadway last summer at the Richard Rodgers Theatre called Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda spent about six years perfecting the music, and making a show what everybody is falling in love with today. Hamilton has become the hottest, and hardest, ticket in town. Selling out show after show, winning a Grammy, selling millions of cast albums, and just releasing a book about how Hamilton (the show) got to this point.
My days and nights have been spent listening to the cast album front and back (which you can buy on ITunes, as well as stream on Spotify for free). Each song tells the story of the show. Yeah, nothing beats being physically at the show, but when I am currently in Lexington stressing over the end of the semester the cast album is the next best thing. THESE SONGS ARE PHENOMENAL. Each song has a different tone, as well as connecting with the one before and after. The lyrics are so meticulously placed and were written in the story for a reason. There are so many meanings and parallels to even a few chords and even a word in each song. I am still going back, after listening to each song at least 50 times this week, and finding new meanings which changes my entire perception on a character and even the song.
Lin-Manuel Miranda is a force to be reckoned with. Even reading about when the idea sparked for some of the songs for him changes the way I listen to the album (The story of how he wrote Wait For It, Helpless and Dear Theodosia are my favorite). Also, giving little shout outs to past musicals, and connecting that shout out with what is happening in Hamilton’s world. (Yeah I’m talking about Nobody Needs to Know, Last Five Years reference, during Say No To This. That just hit all the feelings!) Finally all those witty, and sometimes sassy, lyrics throughout the show just adds to the amazement (All of King George’s songs!! Oh and the Cabinet Battles. The sly jabs Hamilton gives to Jefferson makes the stakes that much higher during the battles.) If you haven’t, I highly suggest buying the album, or streaming it, and just listen. It’s worth it!
This show is more than just a history lesson, and is way more than just “another show on Broadway.” I have spent the majority of my week this week listening to the cast album, and watching every video about the show I can get my hands on. Which is pretty easy since the cast has created a Ham4Ham show. A show that came about to give an experience to the ones waiting in line for a chance to win a ticket to see a show (they have a lottery digitally as well as on Wednesday’s outside the Richard Rodgers theatre). My nights this past week have been spent watching every possible Ham4Ham show video (Thank you YouTube and the wonderful people who recorded their experience). Ham4Ham has turned into a Digital Ham4Ham since the lottery went.. Well digital. (Check out the recent Digital Ham4Ham when you have a chance.)
I have yet to see Hamilton, and probably won’t unless it goes on tour (Hint hint, please make a stop in St. Louis!) but I do have a friend who flew to New York on a random weekend in February to experience Hamilton just 6 rows to the stage (and also got to meet Lin and Jonathan Groff). She gets all the bragging rights! It does not take seeing the show first hand to know that Hamilton is something special. Seeing the show first hand would be amazing though, but a very far fetched dream right now. We all want that opportunity to be in The Room Where It Happened (I had to!) and experience all the magic!