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9 Things You Need To Know Before Watching Hamilton On Disney+

The waiting is over to see this revolutionary musical.

Danielle Wagner

Jun 27, 2020

Bowling Green State University

1239

9 Things You Need To Know Before Watching Hamilton On Disney+

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I am one of the biggest Broadway fans around. When I first heard about Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Hamilton" close to five years ago, I dreamed of seeing the show live. I asked for the soundtrack for Christmas that year and listened to it almost every day for a good year. Yes, I'm one of those theater kids. Finally, this last Christmas, my parents took my sister and I to see the show on stage in Indianapolis, and let me tell you, it will blow you away. When I found out that Disney+ would be streaming the original stage production of the show I jumped up and down with glee at my dream of seeing the original cast perform. In honor of "Hamilton" being streamed on Disney+ on July 3rd (assuming Disney+ doesn't have a nervous breakdown after having everyone try to watch the show at the same time), here are 9 things you need to know before watching "Hamilton: An American Musical":

The show is almost entirely sung.

You might feel the urge to wait for that moment when the song finally fades, the applause stops, and the dialogue begins. Let me inform you that those moments are sparing, so keep your ears pealed.

If you don't pay attention, you may not catch all the words to the songs.

This show is a wonderful mix of traditional Broadway music, rap, hip hop, and jazz, so sometimes the songs get fast and the lyrics become blurred together if you aren't paying attention.

It's more funny than you may expect.

One might expect a musical about the founding fathers of America to be very serious. However, there is a great amount of humor and lightness in the show that makes it even better, especially enhanced by the blocking and character movements.

The choreography is gorgeous.

The dancing is out of this world. There are props, lifts, and a moving stage. It is entirely possibly that the dancers have one of the hardest tasks in the show having to quickly change the mood from revolutionaries in a bar, to losing men on the battlefield at Yorktown, to celebrating a wedding all with twirls and tricks.

The colorblind casting represents what America looks like today.

The United States of America is a diverse culture of people from all over the world. Everyone looks different and holds different beliefs. This cast features people of color in several of the founding fathers' roles, going against history, showing what America has become. America is a land of opportunity for everyone.

Same actors, completely different characters, equally astonishing voices.

The actors that play John Laurens, Hercules Mulligan, Marquis de Lafayette, and Peggy Schuyler in Act I, play Philip Hamilton, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Maria Reynolds in Act II.

Maria Reynolds' note singing "staaaaayyy" is possibly one of the best notes ever uttered.

I wish I had these vocals. The entire show has outstanding lyrics, songs, and incomprehensible notes, but the power behind this one is incredible.

Keep the tissues on hand.

Some of the songs and ballads, particularly in Act II, are so powerful and emotionally packed that it breaks your heart.

Lin-Manuel Miranda created, wrote music for, developed lyrics for, and starred in the show.

Let's also remember that this entire show was made possible because Lin-Manuel Miranda wanted a big book to read on vacation, decided that Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton would suffice, and while reading, found that Alexander's life was the perfect hip hop and rap inspiration.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

University of Dayton

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How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

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26 Things to Thank Our Roommates For

Who knows where we would be without them.

Michigan State University

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Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

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Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Butler University

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Disney magic kingdom castle on new years

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Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

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Recommended for you

9 Things You Need To Know Before Watching Hamilton On Disney+

The waiting is over to see this revolutionary musical.

The show is almost entirely sung.

If you don't pay attention, you may not catch all the words to the songs.

It's more funny than you may expect.

The choreography is gorgeous.

The colorblind casting represents what America looks like today.

​Same actors, completely different characters, equally astonishing voices.

Maria Reynolds' note singing "staaaaayyy" is possibly one of the best notes ever uttered.

Keep the tissues on hand.

Lin-Manuel Miranda created, wrote music for, developed lyrics for, and starred in the show.

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Same actors, completely different characters, equally astonishing voices.

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