In case you aren't up-to-date on the latest and greatest from the Great White Way, there is an amazing show called "Hamilton" that's up on Broadway. It is based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of America's Founding Fathers. It has received rave reviews from critics and audiences. People can't get enough of Alexander Hamilton and historically accurate rap music.
However, there are some that criticize the show's casting choices. AKA, some people simply can't comprehend the fact that there is only one white actor in the production.
As a white person, here's my take on the predominantly black and Hispanic cast, as well as those who oppose it.
First off, if you oppose the casting for this production, I'm going to assume that you are also infuriated whenever a white person plays a person of color on Broadway, television or film? No? Because that happens more often than not. In fact, there is an article about 25 times that white people thought they could get away with playing characters of color. It is titled " 25 Times White Actors Played People of Color And No One Really Gave A S*** " and reveals a huge problem in the entertainment industry.
The problem isn't a lack of actors of color (clearly, since 99.9 percent of the cast of "Hamilton" are people of color). The problem is that casting directors are racially biased; white actors will always have an advantage simply for being white. There's a reason why #OscarsSoWhite was trending around the time of the awards show; there are so many actors of color who aren't recognized and aren't chosen for roles specifically meant for their race. The fact that people have the audacity to say that certain races shouldn't be represented on Broadway in this way proves just how detrimental eurocentrism is.
I love the talented cast of "Hamilton." Phillipa Soo is a standout as Eliza Hamilton, as is Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr. I think the fact that the cast is composed of predominantly people of color telling a historically accurate story is incredibly symbolic. Let's be real — our textbooks, written by white Americans, often leave out moments in history where white people screwed things over for people (Christopher Columbus), imprisoned thousands (Japanese internment camps), and made things out to be amazing when they weren't (European imperialism), so it's important to hear accurate information from the people who were affected by the worst of history.
On a lighter note, the music and storyline are incredible. Those elements plus the casting choices and symbolism make for a show that's HamilTEN out of ten. Thank you, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
