For any musical theater fan, the name "Hamilton" must ring a bell in their head. Back in August 2015, the musical kicked off on Broadway. "Hamilton" is a hip-hop musical following the life of one of the founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. This musical took the theater world and changed the meaning of modern theater. While one of the reasons behind theater and even music itself is to educate people on events in the world, for some reason this was the musical that helped every 12-year-old pass their final history exam on the founding fathers.
Lin Manuel-Miranda, writer and creator of "Hamilton", began his writing process back in 2008, after about a year, he went to present the opening song of the musical ‘Alexander Hamilton’ to the president and first lady- Barack and Michelle Obama. This made the process of the musical speed along. Miranda finished writing and six years later the show was ready for preview night. But how did this one man and a talent for writing hip-hop music educate so many people? Well, it’s the power of music itself. "Hamilton" is just one of the many shows that have educated people over time, but for some reason this seems to be the one every person of every age is rapping along to.
Miranda is also known for writing the famous Broadway musical , "In The Heights", a musical about Dominican-American kids living in Washington Heights, NY. Miranda is known for bringing real world issues to the stage in a much more modern way. Other element, that not a lot of Broadway casters are doing, is having a wide range of ethnical background on their stage. Hamilton tells the story of America's founding fathers, which means that all the men were white. But Miranda decided to put on spin on that concept and have Thomas Jefferson be played by a black actor. This caught the audience by surprise when it came time for preview night.
The power of music and history seem to collide perfectly into this one magnificent musical. There is a “link between hip-hop and the world of 18th-century politics” that just seem to have everyone interested in it. For musical theatre nerds, it is educating them on a new genre of music they might not essentially listen to and it is for any person who may not love theatre, but can get a taste of how widely ranged everyone in the theatre world really is. The show “is, from start to finish, a revelation, easily the most celebrated and anticipated new musical in a generation”. The question comes back to “why this musical?” or “what is so special about it?." That can easily be answered with a simple statement- music has power. Whether you listen to classical or country or even musical theatre hip hop, you are able to find a message in every song. Lin Manuel-Miranda is an extraordinary example of how music can tell a story and educate people at the same time.
"Hamilton" has not only become popular for its catchy songs and outrageous rhymes and rhythms, but for the message that is told in each song. While it does “tell the story of Alexander Hamilton," it also teaches everyone the history of America. It is surprising to see how many Americans do not know their own history or any of the founding fathers. Miranda is able to educate and entertain in the same atmosphere. There is paradox that happens with the show- 18th-century politics with modern hip hop and rap, what a beautiful combination! One wouldn’t think to put such contrasting ideas into one show, but what those people don’t realize is how much an impact it can really have. For any history nerd out there, they can tell you that Alexander Hamilton is not the most pure founding father. He was the first founding father to cause a political sex scandal and overall be a bit of a nuisance, but with Miranda’s witty rhymes and upbeat music, everyone leaving the show or listening to the soundtrack is sure to leave with a little bit more knowledge of how Hamilton changed America.
Lin Manuel-Miranda sure has changed the name of hip-hop and rap music, and also gave a little bit of insight of one of the most important founding fathers for America. Because of Miranda, most people are now able to tell you why Alexander Hamilton was an “orphan, son of a whore," of course in a much more proper way. If you really think about it who wouldn’t want to see a “historical musical with hip-hop and rap music," it is basically combining modern media with history, and that is one of the most modern and invigorating things of this millennium.
