Seven years ago, Lin-Manuel Miranda performed his original score "Alexander Hamilton" at the White House Poetry Slam. No one in the laughing audience, not even President Obama, could've imagined the transformation Lin's idea would undergo to transpire into the beautiful musical that is revolutionizing Broadway today. Lin-Manuel designed a breathtaking, distinctive musical that delivers a historically based story through modern hip-hop and rap. He utilizes color blind and gender open casting techniques to promote diversity and equality in a setting where it is traditionally foreign. As well, Miranda stands as a large proponent of social justice movements including LGBT+, race relations, gun control, and more.
Overall, Miranda has expanded the Broadway scene to a larger audience, as 'Hamilton' is being popularized across the nation. He has engulfed a new style, brought about a new audience, and served as a superb example for what Broadway is all about. Recently, at the 70th Annual Tony Awards 'Hamilton' was nominated for a record-breaking 16 Tony Awards, and walked away with 11 wins, just short of breaking another record. Let's look at the 11 different awards that 'Hamilton' earned!
1. Best Choreography - Andy Blankenbuehler
Andy Blankenbuehler won his second Tony Award for choreography- his first win was from the Broadway musical "In the Heights", also written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
“As a dancer, I was willing to kill myself in movement if I knew my contribution was going to be integral,” - Andy
2. Best Book of a musical
Lin-Manuel Miranda graciously accepted the award for best book of a musical with a unique acceptance speech,
"This envelope says Lin's, but it's not entirely Lin's because when you work with Tommy Kail the best idea wins. When Alex finds a place to cutter Andy needs more bars. You can't think this is mine, you can only think, this is ours. Is it ours or is it ours? Well, it is hours of rewriting. You talk Burr with Oscar and Jeffrey and keep igniting that spark into a flame, make a mark, arrange the frame, hit your target and change the game, earn that hyphen in your name. You let Daveed Diggs turn your couplet into a triplet. You give him the mic, and he grips it, and spits it, rips it, and flips it. You turn back to this envelope that says you win.. You think about your father and scared he must have been. When he came to New York City and he didn't speak the language, so you give Hamilton all his hunger, genius, and anguish and you vanquish self doubt by perfecting your lines of text. Then you call Tommy Kail and you say, "What's next?" Thank you so much.""
3. Best Direction of a musical - Thomas Kail
Aside from the crazy chemistry between Kail and Miranda that attributed to the success of Hamilton, Kail's leadership philosophy has also been noted in the success of Hamilton.
"My job was not to have the best idea in the room at any time but to identify the best idea."
4. Best Original score
Lin-Manuel paired accepting this award with a beautiful sonnet that also pays tribute to the Pulse Club Shooting tradegy through allusions,
“My wife's the reason anything gets done, she nudges me towards promise by degrees. She is a perfect symphony of one our son is her most beautiful reprise. We chase the melodies that seem to find us until they're finished songs and start to play. When senseless acts of tragedy remind us that nothing here is promised--not one day. This show is proof that history remembers. We live in times when hate and fear seem stronger. We rise and fall and light from dying embers--remembrances that hope and love last longer. And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside. I sing Vanessa's symphony. Eliza tells her story. Now, fill the world with music, love, and pride.”
5. Best Costume Design of a Musical
Paul Tazewell is an acclaimed costume designer for theater, dance, and opera. He does a wonderful job of meeting the 18th-century expectations.
6. Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Howell Binkley walked away with the Tony Award for best lighting design of a musical for his outstanding, colonial lighting for 'Hamilton'.
7. Best Orchestration
Alex Lacamoire walked away with the Tony Award for best orchestration due to 'Hamilton's' exceptional musical themes.
8. Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Renée Elise Goldsberry
Renée Elise Goldsberry played Angelica Schuyler in 'Hamilton. When she won the Tony Award for best featured actress in a musical she thanked her parents, spouse, and children then went on to say, “When one of us wins, we all win because we are one."
9. Best Featured Actor in a Musical- Daveed Diggs
Daveed Diggs who plays Thomas Jefferson and Marquis de Lafayette won best featured actor in a musical.
10. Best Lead Actor in a Musical - Leslie Odom Jr.
Leslie Odom Jr. plays Aaron Burr, the villain we all have to love a little bit. Odom accepts his award with grace and delivers a charming acceptance speech thanking his loved ones and the company for their unwavering support that got him there today.
11. Musical
Finally, the cast of 'Hamilton' and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda was awarded the Tony Award for best musical. Accepting the award was producer Jeffrey Seller, he shared inspiring words regarding what Hamilton meant to him.
"Alexander Hamilton was a dreamer. George Washington, Eliza Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson were dreamers. I stand on this stage tonight, and in this theater, surrounded by dreamers. Dreamers like Lin-Manuel who had a big idea and worked tirelessly over 6 years to bring it to life. Dreamers like Tommy and Andy and Alex and the extraordinary company of Hamilton who have showed up at our theater almost every single day for the past year and a half, to share their vision of America. To the most supportive, appreciative, and diverse audiences I've ever witnessed. 'Hamilton: An American' embodies the best values, the best impulses, that make our nation a beacon to the world. Inclusiveness, generosity, ingenuity, and the will to work hard to make our dreams come true. Look around, look around, how lucky we are to be alive right now."
