The real star of ‘Hamilton’ isn’t Hamilton at all
In July 2020, Disney decided to release a film compilation of the American musical Hamilton to the public. Originally a 2015 theatrical production, footage from three separate Broadway performances at Richard Rodgers Theatre in Manhattan were spliced together into the musical masterpiece now available on Disney+.
The musical, comprised of an incredibly diverse and talented cast, follows the life and times of orphaned Caribbean immigrant, better known as one Founding Father of the United States, Alexander Hamilton. Set in New York City in 1776, the musical sticks to history in the ways that matter while masterfully incorporating modern values into the production.
“It’s the story about America then, told by America now,” explains director Tommy Kail. The incorporation of actors of color, inclusion of modern music, and recognition of women may not be historically accurate, but instead is a celebration of how far the USA has progressed, and a wake up call to how much work still needs to be done.
Only one white lead role was cast.
That lead being Britain’s King George III, played by Jonathan Groff. All other main roles were intentionally occupied by people of color, a choice made to create more opportunities for minorities in a historically white dominated field. The rest of the cast was comprised of predominantly Black, Latinx, and Asian members.
One controversial point is the exclusion of slave characters in the storyline. While it could be argued that the exclusion of slaves is designed to shift the focus onto people of color with exclusive positivity, it does no one good to erase such an important part of American history. Hamilton was known to be strongly against slavery, which may play into the choice to only briefly mention his anti-slavery views in the musical. Yet, for future consideration, highlighting the brutality of slavery might bring awareness to its prevalence in American history and open the audience’s eyes to the beast it was.
The soundtrack is a modern masterpiece.
Comprised of hip hop, R&B, and soul showtunes, the Hamilton soundtrack is lively, engaging, and will have audiences dancing in their seats. There is a reason the album has been 6 times certified platinum, and remains the best-selling cast-album of all time.
The talented rappers, singers, and vocalists in this musical bring history to life in a way that is attractive and relatable for its’ 21st Century viewers.
Finally, the real star of Hamilton is a woman.
Hamilton’s wife, Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, finally gets the recognition she deserves as a major historical figure. Women are so seldom celebrated in history, but Hamilton brings Eliza’s strength, resilience, and accomplishments to the forefront of the stage. A truly amazing woman, her legacy spans long beyond the lifetime of her husband.
Despite immense heartbreak and loss, Eliza goes on to do incredible and worthwhile things. She tells the stories of lost soldiers and founds the first private orphanage in New York City, where she helps raise and care for the children. The legacy Eliza leaves behind is one of love, forgiveness, and fortitude. Although the focus is not hers from the start, by the end of the show, it is clear who the real heroine of Hamilton is.
