Hamilton Review!

Hamilton is a sensation from its award-winning Broadway performances and opening American history to every American. It of course made its streaming debut on Disney+ on July 3rd in time for the holiday. The film was intended for release in theaters on October 15 next year. It captured performances in 2016 with the original Broadway cast by director, Thomas Kail, who also directed the musical. Hamilton won eleven Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. 

The musical is based on Alexander Hamilton, the 2004 biography by Ron Chernow, who is very understanding of the potential of the adaptation. It features music, lyrics, and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda. He has previously created the musical In the Heights which has a film directed by Jon M. Chu with a pending release. Miranda is in that movie as well his appearance as Lamplighter Jack in Mary Poppins Returns (2018). The mixture of the hint of history with dialogue and costume and the music of hip hop combine in what Miranda calls “the story of America then told by America now.”  

Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda) poster.

The introduction is by King George III, played by Jonathan Groff, he returned to the production for this filming. This was at the Richard Rogers Theatre, New York. The stage is shown with what looks like a wooden upper floor and brick background. Taking the stage is Aaron Burr played by Leslie Odom Jr. who won the Tony for his performance. Odom Jr. was in the bio drama Harriet (2019). He is dressed in brown coat, trousers, and boots which gives a hint of the historical period.  

The opening number, “Alexander Hamilton”, is begun by Burr who wonders how his rival could be successful going over his poor and Caribbean beginnings. The rest of the cast joins him with the men in pale reflections of their Revolutionary coats. Kudos to Paul Tazewell, the costumer designer for the musical. These are his friends, John Laurens (Anthony Ramos) who also plays Hamilton’s son, Phillip in part 2, Marquis de Lafayette (Daveed Diggs), his other part is Thomas Jefferson, and Hercules Mulligan (Okierete Onaodowan, called Oak by the company), his other part is James Madison. Diggs also won the Tony for Featured Actor in a Musical. He is currently in the sci fi series Snowpiercer. 

Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr.) poster.

The ensemble are dressed in stays which looks like white undergarments and dance and play crowds. This brings out Alexander Hamilton played by Miranda in a close-up, the live audience cheered drowning out his first lines. Then, we get Phillipa Soo who plays Hamilton’s wife, Eliza.  Soo is in the drama, The Code. George Washington (Chris Jackson) walks out singing about Hamilton’s difficult years which he turns to focusing on his studies.  Jackson was in the true crime series When They See Us. 

Burr continues with Alexander’s move to New York.  Alexander takes off his coat and is helped on a brown coat by Eliza. The symbolism is nice. The lyrics are sung, “In New York you can be a new man.” In part, the musical is a love letter to New York. The full cast assembles in a line as Alexander walks up to the second floor. He walks down the steps on the other side, his arrival to America, we get spotlights on the important figures in Hamilton’s life which of course points to Burr saying he shot Hamilton. This is the prologue that gives you glimpses into Hamilton’s life which I think is like the prologue in Romeo and Juliet. 

Marquis de Lafayette (Daveed Diggs) poster.

The opening is also impressive because this is the showstopper, usually at the middle or end of a musical, which of course ends in applause. This shifts to 1776, an inconfident Hamilton talks to Burr, he wants to know how Burr graduates so quickly through college. Burr also gives advice to “talk less”, this is central to Burr’s character, to move ahead without standing out. He introduces Hamilton to the three drinking colleagues; Laurens, Lafayette, and Mulligan. Their boistrous introductions set off some fun showing them to be young and ready to be soldiers. 

Diggs is funny in his part. Historically, Hamilton had just met Hercules Mulligan, but if you want dry history watch a documentary. Hamilton interrupts Burr and sings, “My Shot.” The quartet of friends is formed. Laurens has a dream of freeing the slaves. They take their ambitions to the streets. We get the turntable that is in the center of the stage, it creates movement, and is a centerpiece to some artistic numbers. Hamilton has a moment when he thinks about his mortality, but this shifts to his speech before a crowd about fighting to build a nation that is also financially secure.   

Angelica Schulyer (Renee Elise Goldsberry) poster.

At the tavern, the friends sing “The Story of Tonight”, which is classic musical theater, pondering how their children will remember that night.  Burr is walking the New York streets and notices the Schulyer Sisters; Angelica (Renée Elise Goldsberry), Eliza (Soo), and Peggy (Jasmien Cephas Jones). Goldsberry is an incredible singer, she won the Tony for the role, and she plays the Schulyer Sister who is “looking for a mind at work.”  

She was in the drama Waves (2019). Soo is also strong as a vocalist. She was also in the military drama series The Code (2019). Jones has another part playing Maria Reynolds in the second part.  She was in the romantic film The Photograph this year. Burr is interested in Angelica, but she doesn’t share his interest. The three sisters are excited to be in the center of great change with “The Schulyer Sisters” song, a powerful number. Hamilton is watching Samuel Seabury (Thayne Jasperson) try to make a public speech on loyalty to the king. Burr, Hamilton, and the friends make fun of the speaker and Hamilton takes over.  

Eliza Hamilton (Phillipa Soo) poster.

Soldiers in red coats interrupt to introduce the king’s message. This is delivered by King George III (Groff) in full period accurate robes. His “You’ll Be Back” song turns into shouting that has saliva dripping from his lips in a close-up. Groff of course was in Frozen II (2019). He provides a humorous contrast to the rest of the cast. Hamilton and his friends put on the blue coats of soldiers.  

Burr introduces General George Washington (Jackson). I thought Jackson was a standout in the production. He sings that he needs a "right hand man" to somehow turn the soldiers from running.  Aaron Burr reports for duty, but is dismissed by Washington. He has called in Hamilton who does not want to write reports, but take on the British in the field. Washington holds the quill out as we get the ensemble singing "My Shot." Hamilton accepts the position and brings in his friends and spies. Burr again questions Hamilton and his rise with the army. The simmering jealousy just opens the rift between Burr and Hamilton.  

George Washington (Chris Jackson) poster.

We move to 1780 with the winter's ball, Eliza is there, singing "Helpless", innocent. She is taken by the look of Hamilton across the room. Eliza watches Angelica walking over to Hamilton, she brings him over to meet Eliza, this leads to letters and a wedding. It is very sweet and then we get Angelica toasts which pauses and then rewinds! This is a stunning piece of theater. There is Hamilton's conversation with Angelica at the ball that they are both "never satisfied."  

She sees that her sister has fallen in love, but knows that he is flawed. His flaw becomes tragic in the second part. This carries through the Revolutionary War, which is told through dance not violence, and into the Federalist Papers, the formation of the first national bank, and Hamilton's end in 1804. The initial plan was to show Hamilton in theaters, I would really like to see it in the theaters some time, and also on the stage. Hamilton is a bold musical with the journey through friendship, romance, and betrayal, but its brilliance is relevant today!    

Five Federalist Papers out of Five! 

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