Did you know that founding father Alexander Hamilton was the one who established the nation’s financial system? Appointed by George Washington as the first Secretary of the Treasury, he established a national bank, funded states’ debts, imposed tariffs on imports and originated trade relations with Britain, among others. Below is a review of the Broadway hit musical based on his life.
Review
With its record breaking 16 nominations and finally winning 11 Tonys, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop and R&B stage musical is groundbreaking as it is immersive. There are so many things at work here – its haunting music, the fast break speed the lyrics are delivered, the staging, its set design, the intricate choreography, those beautifully designed costumes and the well-conceived lighting design.
The musical is rich in historical narrative, very character heavy with a few performers taking on different roles in the second act. It will be easy to get lost. I do not recommend going in cold. I highly recommend familiarizing oneself with the soundtrack beforehand or reading a quick synopsis of its story that is available online. It has dramatic as well as comedic elements with the parts involving King George III evoking unprecedented laughter. It is a love story and a tragedy as well as a political story about our founding fathers. It is everything. And that’s why it is so special.
Miranda creates a new vision for an American musical with its sound and where actors of color take on white historical figures. The cast is very strong. And whether they are singing one of the show’s hip-hop musical numbers or one of its ballad about forgiveness in “It’s Quiet Uptown”, it all comes together to one rousing night at the theatre. “Hamilton” is one for the ages.