OK, so you may or may not have heard of the newest rage on Broadway, but it's "Hamilton" the musical. I learned about the greatness of this show from my sister who's a huge Broadway fan. I myself am not a huge fan of musicals or plays, however, this show has made me obsessed, and it's overall changing the way Broadway musicals are performed.
So basically, it's about the life of Alexander Hamilton. Yeah, that political dude from hundreds of years ago who was shot in a duel (I know what you guys remember from U.S. history in high school). This idea sounds particularly boring from afar, but Lin-Manuel Miranda (writer, composer, and actor of "Hamilton") takes the life of this "bastard, orphan, son of a whore" and shows his life in a new light by using the America of today to tell this story from America's past. Many of the musical's songs are done in the style of rap. While not only is it a fast-paced style of music, it is also a performance type not often used on Broadway.
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The show is based on an Alexander Hamilton biography written by Ron Chernow and is chock full of events that occurred through Hamilton's life and up until his death by his friend/enemy, Aaron Burr, in a duel. While some details are fudged slightly for theatrical effect, everything is pretty spot on with this performance. Hamilton's life seems very fitting for a Broadway show, and it's almost crazy it hasn't become a thing until now! With the performers' different races and capabilities, they all bring something new to the table for an overall outstanding performance.
If you don't believe the show is worth checking out from all of that, check out some of the reasons why I love the musical.
1. They have a beautiful cast.
Enough said. Their costumes are on point too.
2. King George has a breakup song for the colonies.
Jonathan Groff sings the insightful tunes that try to get the colonies not to leave, and then later mocks them after they announce their independence. Let's just say, one of the lines is, "I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love."
3. The music is so catchy!
Never before did you think that you could jam out to Alexander Hamilton singing about the start of the Revolutionary War.
4. They give out tickets for every show and have a performance called Ham4Ham.
Outside the theater where "Hamilton" is performed in Times Square, the cast gives a performance to those waiting outside to have a chance of getting extremely discounted front row seats to the show!
5. Cabinet feuds are solved by rap battles.
This is definitely a change that should be implemented in the government now. One minute for Jefferson, one minute for Hamilton—Cabinet decides the winner!
6. The Schuyler sisters are the embodiment of female power.
Like seriously though—they're the Destiny's Child of the late 1700s. They don't want a revolution, they want a revelation! "All men are created equal?" Let's get women in that sequel, Jefferson!
7. Overall, the show is a huge powder keg of awesomeness!
Never could a show make early United States history so interesting. I hope to be able to see the show live at some point in the near future!
