hamilton

‘Hamilton’ a Hearty Success

hamilton
PETE SOUZA | PHOTO COURTESY
Alexander Hamilton is the titular character in this period musical that reimagines the life of the founding father.

Broadway’s hottest hit isn’t about a green witch, a guy with half a mask or even singing cats: it’s about Alexander Hamilton — the man featured on the ten dollar bill.

The subject of Hamilton doesn’t seem like one that warrants a three-hour long show, but his story is one that has a modern ring to it.

The bastard, orphan son of a whore and a Scotsman, “Hamilton” sets the stage with Alexander arriving in New York City bent on making a name for himself.

Determined not to give away his shot, Hamilton uses his wits and prowess with language to rise to George Washington’s wingman and become the first Treasury Secretary of the United States.

Hamilton’s story doesn’t stop when the war comes to a close. Hamilton’s strong will both attracts and repels.

As he rises up, Hamilton forges friendships with revolutionaries, falls in love with intelligent women and forms rivalries with powerful politicians.

The musical details the intricacies of politics and Hamilton’s relationships. The production closes on the strong statement that we have no control of who lives, who dies and who tells our story.

Unlike the average founding fathers you’re used to, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of “Hamilton,” portrayed the cast as they would appear today: young, scrappy, hungry and decidedly not white.

Miranda wanted the characters to relate to the modern audience because the story hasn’t changed much. They’re revolutionaries who want to change the world and create a legacy people will remember for ages.

Not only does the cast give “Hamilton” a blast from the future, but the music does as well. Combining pop and rap,”Hamilton’s” catchy lyrics will have listeners singing for days.

Each cabinet battle has Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton duking it out with impressive rhymes, and the Schulyer sisters’ upbeat tune will give you a chipper appetite for more.

The second act sees not only America’s, but also Hamilton’s fight for survival. Songs from the first act reappear in the second, connecting Hamilton’s once illustrious prospects to his sudden downfall.

The musical is an emotional roller coaster from start to finish and will leave you wondering how you could become so attached to a man who has been dead for nearly 200 years.

While “Hamilton” is bound to be unparalleled in style and energy, hopefully the combination of modern music and powerful ideas revitalizes the Broadway stage and entices more patrons to consider attending. Certainly after this musical, the world will never be the same.

Unfortunately, “Hamilton” isn’t coming to a theater near you soon.

While it’s tour dates are unannounced, the musical plans to start its national tour in 2017 at the PrivateBank Theater in Chicago. Until then, you can listen to the soundtrack on Spotify or settle down with the book that started it all, “Alexander Hamilton,” by Ron Chernow.

Either way, “Hamilton” is definitely not something you want to wait for.

2 Replies to “‘Hamilton’ a Hearty Success”

  1. Just a heads, up, there is NO soundtrack for Hamilton. There is however a cast recording. Soundtracks are only for movies, tv, or video games. In musical theater it is a cast recording, cast album, etc. but NEVER soundtrack.

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