Ever since I first heard the soundtrack to Hamilton I have listened to it pretty much on a loop for a few months... I might have a problem... Just kidding. I can actually kind of rap now except not as good if the music isn't playing. Hamilton is a show unlike any other. I know there are countless articles about the show so this is going to be my two cents on what theatre and Hamilton have done and how awesome they are.
So let's get started.....
First of all, if you don't know anything about it, I am sorry but you need to listen to the soundtrack and then Google the hell out of Lin-Manuel Miranda and "Hamilton the Musical." I don't want to be the one to answer questions because I have so many myself.
OK, on to the next thing. Lin-Manuel Miranda shows young people like myself who are theatre enthusiasts that yes, you too can follow your dreams and survive with a degree in theatre. It teaches young artists that innovation is possible and to not be afraid of rocking the boat.
Slowly as I listened to the soundtrack more and more I started noticing all the little things and the attention to detail they put in; like for example, Hercules Mulligan had to clean the king's stables, and guess what - they included it!
Onto theatre in general...
Theatre is an experience that is rare in the modern world. What with our newfangled iPhone, iWatches, and all of the IM'ing... I kid. I kid. Seriously, theatre provides a creative outlet for those who may not have any other way of expressing themselves. It is sacred to me but not precious. Theatre that is precious is not realistic. Whenever I go to see a play there is a feeling that I can't even articulate that rushes throughout the audience. It is unlike television and movies in that the actors respond to the energy that the audience is giving them and things happen, there are line drops, wardrobe malfunctions, and even sometimes skipped pages. What matters is that the actors are able to adapt and play it off.
Theatre is more than just an escape. It is a way for us to deal with issues that we don't want to talk about. It is supposed to make the audience uncomfortable. It isn't all light and fun but it isn't all doom and gloom either. More than anything theatre changes with the times and it reflects the society that we all live in.
On one last note: No one should feel discouraged from pursuing theatre. It will be tough to start out but it won't always be that way. Theatre is a way of life, and whether you are on stage, backstage, or in the audience; theatre will always be there to those who need it... like me.
