“How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by providence, impoverished, in squalor grow up to be a hero and a scholar?” Well, that is a very good question, but to find out, you’re going to have to buy a ticket to see one of my favorite musicals of all time: Hamilton!
For those of you who are new here, welcome to my blog! Previously, I have reviewed TV Shows that I think people should watch, but now my blog is going in a slightly new direction. Now, I will be branching off this idea and reviewing my favorite “Must-See Musicals” that I believe everyone should see! Now that you know why you’re here, let’s dive into why I think a musical people must-see is Hamilton. Hamilton was created by the talented Lin-Manuel Miranda who has worked on smash-hits such as In The Heights, Tick, Tick … Boom!, and Encanto. In addition to this, he also starred as the original Alexander Hamilton in the Broadway Cast of the show. If Lin-Manuel Miranda was not enough of a reason to watch the show, let’s take a look at my specific reasons particular to the show.
- The Talent of the Actors
To put on a Broadway, show the performers need to be talented; however, to perform in Hamilton, the skills of the actors need to be extraordinary. The entire musical is performed through songs and dancing – for reference, the entire soundtrack is 2 hours and 22 minutes. This alone requires a lot of the performers, but add difficult and challenging choreography, and you are sure to be blown away. And the complexity of the harmonies in this show and the vocal ranges the actors require for the characters is not something to sneer at. This show has some of the most demanding vocal parts I have ever heard. Also, did I mention that the stage itself is on a turntable? That’s right. The stage itself moves in two concentric circles throughout the show. So, it is safe to say the actors and actresses who perform in Hamilton are all extremely talented, making this show stand out.
(Video: Top Hardest Broadway Songs to Sing [Hamilton featured from 7:34-9:04])
- The Complexity of Characters
The characters in Hamilton also make the sure worth watching. Seeing famous historical figures come to life as dramatic versions of themselves while also maintaining the integrity and nature of the characters is truly marvelous. In the show, King George III is hysterical to watch and is used for comedic relief from all the hard-hitting content like death. Eliza Schuyler alone is a complex enough character but throw her sisters (Peggy and Angelica) into the mix and the story really becomes interesting. I can’t forget to mention how the Schuyler Sisters also serve as prominent female figures in a man-dominated society which gives insight to feminism (“putting women in the sequel” if you know what I mean). Eliza also is a crucial character to the plot of Hamilton because she is responsible for being a catalyst and driving the show. Lastly, an often overlooked role in the show is the ensemble. These cast members are very talented and offer another layer of depth to the show, but my favorite in particular is the character indirectly representing death known as the bullet by Hamilton fans. This ensemble member acts out the movements of the bullet that misses Alexander Hamilton in Act 1 and then kills him later in Act 2. These characters make the show so much more interesting and add depth to an already mind-blowing show.
(Video: Explanation of the Character “The Bullet”)
This show, if not apparent enough, is about the American Revolution against the British Monarchy told from the perspective of Alexander Hamilton. During this time, people of color and other minority groups were not equal to white men and were commonly held as slaves, even by some of America’s most influential founding fathers. Contrary to history, the musical breaks the historical precedent and allows for the characters to be portrayed by anyone regardless of race. This not only helps to break racial barriers that have existed in Photo Source the Musical Theater community but allows for people belonging to groups of people oppressed during this time to reclaim their identity and forge a new path – one towards equality.
- The Message of Who Gets to Tell Your Story
My last reason for watching Hamilton is its central message. The last song in the show, “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story,” encapsulates the entire meaning of the musical that Lin-Manuel Miranda wanted people to walk away with. The idea with this song was that people should want to live a more impactful and meaningful life. You want to touch the hearts of other people and create positive change in the world because it is the people whose lives you impact who will tell your story once you die. This message is apparent in the show, but sits heavily with audience members as they exit the theater.
(Video: Recording of “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story”)
My Take: Everyone should see Hamilton. I laughed a lot, cried twice, and had chills from songs for more than half of the show. Yes, I am aware Hamilton is on Disney+; however, I think it is a show that everyone should watch live because it is so much more enjoyable, powerful, and impactful.
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