Ten years after its Broadway debut, Hamilton continues to inspire and entertain new fans with its innovative writing and distinct musical style. Disney+ has streamed the production since July 3, 2020, but the theatrical release of the production will allow greater accessibility to the show.
Hamilton follows the titular founding father, played by show writer Lin-Manuel Miranda, from his early life on an island in the Caribbean to his death in 1804. Hamilton navigates life during the Revolutionary War with his friends John Laurens (Anthony Ramos), Marquis de Lafayette (Daveed Diggs), and Hercules Mulligan (Okieriete Onaodowan). After the war ends, Hamilton faces contrasting priorities from his commitment to his wife, Eliza (Phillippa Soo,) and his loyalty to President George Washington (Christopher Jackson). Though some creative liberties were taken, the story Miranda tells is based on historical events and is generally an accurate portrayal of Hamilton’s life.
A notable creative choice that Hamilton makes is the casting of people of color, who make up most of the cast, from Hamilton’s wife, Eliza, to his political nemesis, Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr). The inclusion of diverse actors is intentional: it’s meant to represent how our nation was built up by people of color as well as the white people who are often centered in our histories. Though not a historically accurate decision, theatre as an art form relies heavily on the suspension of disbelief. After all, the founding fathers weren’t actually engaging in rap battles.
Another stand-out innovation is the double-casting of the show, where a single actor may portray multiple characters, which serves practical and thematic purposes. Diggs plays Hamilton’s ally Lafayette in Act I, but changes to Thomas Jefferson, a political nemesis of Hamilton’s, in Act II. Ramos is John Laurens and Hamilton’s son Philip, two characters who died standing on their principles. These casting choices draw attention to parallels between characters and generations, suggesting cyclical patterns in history and human nature.
Miranda combines traditional musical theatre lyricism with rap and hip-hop stylings to create something entirely new that took the theater world by storm ten years ago. The lyrics pack dense historical information into catchy songs, with actors singing up to 6.3 words per second in “Guns and Ships”. The opening number alone manages to compress Hamilton’s entire backstory into a four-minute introduction that establishes the show’s fast pace.
While Hamilton occasionally sacrifices historical nuance for dramatic effect, it’s impressively able to make the 1770s feel relevant. By casting faces that reflect modern America and utilizing contemporary musical styles, Hamilton speaks to both our history and our present moment. Its continuing legacy speaks to how innovative and relatable the show is.
Hamilton is available on Disney+ and since September 5 at theaters like Flagship Cinema in Palmyra.
