Picture this. 2015 a new musical about history and rapping with vocals sent from the heavens. You're in your prime theatre phase and life is good. Fast forward 5 years your Hamilton phase is reserved for the same length plane ride to Pennsylvania and blasting burn when your sad. But THEN Disney+ announces there is a pre-recorded show from 2016 WITH THE ORIGINAL CAST, and bam your back to your 15-year-old self.
Now, that might just be me but I can't seem to think I'm not alone in this downward (or upward) spiral of obsession that has taken over sense. These are the stages of obsession that every former and current theatre kids have gone through with the new Hamilton release.
Stage 1: Add the Soundtrack back to your Daily Playlist.
Now in these past few years, there are a few songs from the show that I have kept right in the forefront of my musical repertoire. "Burn" obviously being on my Sad Gorl playlist and "Guns and Ships" on my I know every word playlist. But slowly and sneakily the WHOLE soundtrack seems to play every day, and I can't say I'm mad about it.
Stage 2: Spreading the Love
So not only are you belting "Satisfied" in your car alone, but you've started to play some songs with others present. I will confess, I didn't accidentally put on "Wait For It" while hanging out with my friends and pretend to have NO IDEA this was a Hamilton song we now had to listen to. After the song is over perhaps you went on for 20 minutes about how Hamilton was not just another musical with stupid songs and dancing and that even non-musical theatre people should watch and listen.
Stage 3: Reanalyzing the WHOLE Show
This was one of my favorite parts of listening to the soundtrack for the first time. Hearing all of the melodies and overlap of lyrics with such ease was mind-blowing for me. Now listening from start to finish again I can pick out things I've never heard before. On top of that after my 6th viewing of the show, I can still see things I didn't notice before, which just makes me feel ~helpless~.
Step 4: Countdown
Once June was gone, and July 3rd was in sight, I could not control myself. EVERY time a commercial or Ad came on any screen I stopped what I was doing and gave it my full attention. I was listening to Hamilton and ONLY Hamilton starting July 1st. It felt like Christmas morning when the day finally came that I could turn on my TV and be fully immersed in the show. That day I made my whole family sit after dinner and watch it with me for the 3rd time of the day.
Step 5: Feeling Satisfied
I cannot explain the feeling I had when I finished watching the show. Watching it from the seats on a shaky video camera or in parts from the White House did not prepare me for the actual show. So many times I felt myself overwhelmed on my living room couch by the absolute glory that was on my screen. The vocals, the choreography, the ensemble, the music... I could go on and on. Finally, after years of imagining exactly what some of these scenes being played out on the stage looked like, I am not only satisfied but blown away.
I want to add, that this show is not only a story from long ago but the idea and message displayed through the entirety are still relevant to the issues at hand In our current state. If you haven't listened/watched yet..... do yourself a favor. It takes a few minutes ;)
