I can understand those who were not bowled over by Hamilton. I’m not a big fan of hip hop (no surprise), yet I loved Hamilton. Chernow’s book, on which the musical is based, is one of the best biographies I’ve ever read, a prodigious work befitting its subject, and the musical is a superb 150-minute summary.
Most musicals are trivial bits of entertaining fluff--Hamilton is amazingly dense with historical data, while not seeming didactic. The range from the hilarious (King George III—awesome) to the tragic (e.g., Eliza’s and Angelica’s numbers) is impressive. Jefferson’s “What’d I Miss?”, which opens the second act and cleverly deviates, both in tone and musical form, from the story’s arc, is a great combination of humor and truth (he was more than a little out of step having spent so much time away in France), and sets up perfectly the coming clash with Hamilton.
The production is especially meaningful, even therapeutic, in view of the current national conflict between those with fierce national pride and those who rip on our checkered past and flawed founders. By the time Hamilton finishes, one has a strong sense of both a man and a nation, with serious shortcomings and yet unparalleled greatness.
I liked what one historian said when asked why there is no national monument for Hamilton. He responded with something like, “Look around. Our nation is a monument to Alexander Hamilton.” The musical does him justice.
Most musicals are trivial bits of entertaining fluff--Hamilton is amazingly dense with historical data, while not seeming didactic. The range from the hilarious (King George III—awesome) to the tragic (e.g., Eliza’s and Angelica’s numbers) is impressive. Jefferson’s “What’d I Miss?”, which opens the second act and cleverly deviates, both in tone and musical form, from the story’s arc, is a great combination of humor and truth (he was more than a little out of step having spent so much time away in France), and sets up perfectly the coming clash with Hamilton.
The production is especially meaningful, even therapeutic, in view of the current national conflict between those with fierce national pride and those who rip on our checkered past and flawed founders. By the time Hamilton finishes, one has a strong sense of both a man and a nation, with serious shortcomings and yet unparalleled greatness.
I liked what one historian said when asked why there is no national monument for Hamilton. He responded with something like, “Look around. Our nation is a monument to Alexander Hamilton.” The musical does him justice.
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