MUSICAL: A year after the release of Hamilton, the musical theater world has gone crazy over this innovative performance.
By Emma Carson, Staff Writer
In 2009, Lin-Manuel Miranda presented a song from his newest musical project to the president in the White House. Seven years later, he’s back in the White House to perform his musical, 23 songs and all. The musical Hamilton has rapidly increased in popularity since its debut in February 2015, proving that Miranda is back after seven years with a full musical about historical figure, Alexander Hamilton.
Hearing the name “Hamilton” might scare some people into thinking that the musical will be boring. This topic evokes memories of old history assignments and the refrains of the American Revolution, but Miranda puts a new spin on the story through the use of hip-hop derived music and dance.
The show debuted in February 2015, off-Broadway, but is just as popular as a Broadway musical. Every showing of the musical has sold out, and it won a Grammy award for Best Musical Theater Album. The show’s popularity stems from its new captivity and innovation. Other popular elements of Hamilton are the handsome leads and an unexpected yet incredible story line. But it is mainly the catchy songs that have contributed to the prominent musical. Miranda got the idea of writing the musical when he read a biography of Alexander Hamilton and later discovered a play that was performed in 1917. He decided to restore the play and make it a musical, which took 11 years to produce.
Every day in the Poly theater department, the name “Hamilton” resounds through the rooms, and when it is said, it is sung. It is unlikely to get through a rehearsal without hearing the name, and many students hope they will perform in a Hamilton production. “The reason I love Hamilton so much is it’s a mixture between the hardcore musical influence and modern hip-hop and American history, and I am very intrigued by that,” Emily Harold (10) said. “It takes you on a roller coaster of emotions and the songs tell the story so well that it can paint a picture in your head. Hamilton makes American history fun and brings it together in one giant musical,” Kennedy Kent (9) expressed.
This mesmerizing musical has changed the excitement level of the history of Alexander Hamilton. These incredible songs are written like poetry and performed as rap and hip-hop, which tends to make them more interesting and contributes to this sweep of popularity. The main point of a musical is for the music to move the story along, and Miranda does just that while telling the exciting history of a vital Founding Father.