The Success of “Hamilton” is “Nonstop”
If you’re into history and Broadway musicals, “Hamilton: An American Musical” is just the show you’re looking for. Written and composed by American playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Hamilton” focuses on one of the United States’ famous founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. The musical, based off of the book “Alexander Hamilton,” a biography by Ron Chernow, first premiered at the Public Theater in New York City on January 20, 2015, before becoming critically acclaimed and a commercial success on Broadway, winning awards such as the Tony and Grammy Awards.
The story follows the life of Hamilton, an impoverished orphan from the island of Nevis, British West Indies. When he was 16, he immigrated to New York City, where he attended King’s College, fought in the American Revolution, participated in the founding of modern American government, and became the first Secretary of the Treasury to George Washington.
Rather than using music and language associated with the 18th century, “Hamilton” has a very modern feel, featuring rap battles, hip-hop numbers, and heartfelt ballads.
“I feel it was as accurate as it could be while keeping the audience’s attention,” sophomore Alex Becker said.
In addition, the cast of Hamilton features people of all different races and ethnicities, representing the diversity found in the United States.
“Hamilton is a story about America, and the most beautiful thing about it is…it’s told by such a diverse cast with a such diverse styles of music,” “Hamilton” actress Renee Elise Goldsberry said in an interview with TIME magazine. “We have the opportunity to reclaim a history that some of us don’t necessarily think is our own.”
“I [appreciate] the diversity of the cast because the founding fathers were all white, while the ones in the play [represent different] races,” senior Sarah Mackin said. “The women also play an important role in the musical compared to what they [were recognized for] during [history].”
“Hamilton” is a solid production that captures the crowd’s interest with its creative style of telling the story of one of America’s greatest historical icons. The energetic songs, compelling characters, and talented performances give this musical a rating of 9.5/10. Although tickets are extremely hard to get, interested fans can buy the show’s soundtrack and appreciate both the music and the story.
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