Whether you are a musical theater junkie or not, chances are you have heard of the highly popular and extraordinary musical, "Hamilton," written by Lin Manuel Miranda (who is basically a Broadway legend). The show highlights the trials and tribulations of Alexander Hamilton’s career, as well as his personal life surrounding it.
This musical is not your typical Broadway show, and it is definitely not what you would expect a musical about our founding fathers to be like. The cast of the show is racially diverse, which is something the founding fathers were far from. As a result, a new and improved American story is told. In addition to the cast, the actual music of the show also plays a role in the distinctness of this show in comparison to others; most of the music is rap or hip-hop. “'Hamilton' is a story about America, and the most beautiful thing about it is…It’s told by such a diverse cast with such diverse styles of music,” says Renee Elise Goldsberry, the cast member who plays Angelica Schuyler, Hamilton’s sister-in-law.
If you are a person who has also become incredibly obsessed with listening to the soundtrack (which I’m definitely not listening to right at this moment), you know there is a whole slew of signs and symptoms that go along with the fixation.
1. "Hamilton" songs are constantly stuck in your head.
The soundtrack includes songs for essentially every mood a human being can be in. One day might be a “Non-Stop” day, the next could be a “Burn” day, and the day after could be a “Dear Theodosia” day. Since the songs are so diverse, you never run out of options.
2. You can relate virtually anything to a song or a specific lyric.
Having semi-normal conversations is hard with this obsession. Someone can say one seemingly insignificant word that actually makes you want to break out in song, causing you to instantly lose focus. In addition, you also have the ability to relate real life events, movies, books, and TV shows to the musical.
3. You are all of a sudden a history know-it-all.
Or at least you like to think of yourself as one. Not only are the songs in "Hamilton" great jams, they are also fairly educational. They make you feel pretty smart in your history class when it comes time to learn about the Revolution and our founding fathers.
4. When anyone mentions a historical figure that is in the musical, you feel like you personally know him/her.
You sit in class smirking because not only do you know all about their contributions to history, you also know all the juicy gossip pertaining to their personal lives.
5. You feel like a failure compared to "Hamilton."
“Wow, Hamilton wrote 51 essays as part of the Federalist Papers, while I sit here struggling to write one essay for my English class.”
6. People give you weird looks when you’re blaring the soundtrack in your car.
Apparently, passionately jamming out to songs about how our country came to be is frowned upon at red lights.
7. You would actually sell your soul to be able to see the show on Broadway with the original cast.
Tickets for the show do not come cheap; tickets right now can range anywhere from approximately $500 to $2,000. Does anyone know how much a soul sells for?
8. You make sure everyone knows about your obsession.
Starting conversations with "Hamilton" virgins as you watch their faces radiate disinterest is the norm. In addition, you frequently tweet anything and everything "Hamilton"-related.
9. Not only do you make others aware of you obsession, you attempt to get others obsessed, as well.
It's in your nature to try and engage others in the wonderfulness that is "Hamilton." The more people who become obsessed with it, the more people there are to scream-sing the songs and gossip about the characters with.
10. $10 bills are your preference when it comes to change.
“Can I have four ten dollar bills instead, please?”
If you can relate to most of these signs, then you’re probably Helpless when it comes to controlling your "Hamilton" addiction. If you’re not obsessed quite yet, just "Wait For It" because there’s no doubt that eventually you’ll be listening to the soundtrack "Non-Stop."
