October 21st. What is so special about that day? Well, it is a Friday, which is always a wonderful thing in my opinion. However, on this particular Friday, something amazing is going to happen. Something that I have been anxiously waiting to watch for months on end. The PBS documentary, Hamilton's America, is going to air. Now this is not just any documentary. It is a feature on the creation of the widely popular Broadway musical Hamilton. In other words, it is a dream come true for all the loyal and enthusiastic Hamilton fans that have sadly not seen the musical performed live yet.
Now I am completely and utterly obsessed with Hamilton. Ever since downloading the soundtrack from iTunes, I have addictively listened to it more times than I can count. From the first time I heard it, the spirited rap battles between Jefferson and Hamilton as well as the heartbreakingly beautiful songs of "It's Quiet Uptown" and "Burn," have fascinated and enchanted me. I would be so happy if one day I could successfully rap the entire song of "Guns and Ships." I especially love to jam out and sing all the songs' lyrics with my roommate. Unfortunately, I have not seen it performed on Broadway or Chicago, but that is definitely on my bucket list. On October 21st, however, I and other devoted Hamilton fans will have the glorious opportunity to catch a glance and peer into the “room where it happens.” I am personally counting down the days until I can finally witness the development and backstory of this incredible musical that has influenced me in such a powerful way.
I am absolutely certain that once viewing Hamilton's America, I will want to see the musical even more. However, I will just have to console myself with the dream of one day attending the show. What ultimately fascinates me about this project is that for the first time I can (hopefully) get a grasp on the history of this phenomenal show. While most of the time I am perfectly content with listening to the soundtrack album day in and day out, every now and then there is a part of me that desires to know more. I "will never be satisfied" with just keeping track of which actor plays which character. I also want to know about Hamilton's creator Lin Manuel Miranda's inspiration. His process or method in writing the words to such extraordinary and thought-provoking lyrics. I want more. I want to see how this beautiful masterpiece was orchestrated.
I think Lin Manuel Miranda understands that his fans want more. And being the awesome individual he is, he made it possible for us all to get a peek into the world of Hamilton. And we get to see that on October 21st.
