Hamilton
October 17th: Visit from the Cast
November 6th 2018: Watching Hamilton
Hamilton: An American Musical was created by Lin-Manuel Miranda (playwright, composer and lyricist) who was inspired by the book, Alexander Hamilton, written by Ron Chernow. The musical tells the story of one of America's Founding Fathers through singing and rapping. Hamilton: An American Musical debut in February at The Public Theater, which is located in New York City before transferring to Broadway in August 2015. The musical has since won 7 out of 14 Drama Desk Awards, 11 out of 16 Tony Awards, Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the West End production of Hamilton has won 7 Olivier Awards. The show is currently based in CIBC Theater, Chicago and Victoria Palace Theatre, London. They are also touring the USA and will soon tour Puerto Rico.
One of the recurring themes in Hamilton is Legacy, the importance of legacy is constantly being highlighted throughout the musical and it is turned into a question.
Songs like the opening number 'Alexander Hamilton', where the characters are already telling the audience who he is and what he will be or, 'The Story of Tonight', where they sing about having someone to tell their story. 'History Has Its Eyes On You', a reminder that there will be someone to remember you and what you did, whether it's your mistakes or achievements. 'One Last Time', is about George Washington's legacy and what he left behind for America, 'Hurricane' and 'The Reynolds Pamphlet', legacy is something that you leave behind but Hamilton thinks he can control what his legacy will be just by writing. 'Blow Us All Away',is Philip Hamilton feeling the pressure of leaving behind a good legacy and also protecting his families legacy due to him feeling like he has big shoes to fill. 'Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells your Story', Hamilton's wife, Eliza spends the rest of her life being the one who tells not only Alexander's story but the people he fought with, Washington and the politician's story. The importance of legacy and its true meaning is also challenge in the musical with 'Burn' (First Burn), where Eliza erases herself from the narrative and reminds Hamilton that their family is also his legacy and they are just as important as his work life.
"Legacy. What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see."
- Alexander Hamilton
In the musical Forgiveness is also a theme, Hamilton has an affair with Maria Reynolds and later writes the Reynolds pamphlet to clear his name, Eliza is hurt and angry, later their son dies and "the Hamiltons move uptown". The theme of forgiveness is shown clearly in 'It's Quiet Uptown', where after all the pain and anger Eliza somehow manages to forgive him.
"She takes his hand" - Angelica Shuyler
"It's quiet uptown" - Eliza (Shuyler) Hamilton
"Forgiveness. Can you imagine?" - Company
Not having enough time is also a recurring theme in the musical, Alexander seems to be in a constant rush with the not wanting to throw away his "shot". The (callback) lyrics
"I imagine death so much it feels more like a memory" from My Shot, Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down) and later The World" Was Wide Enough, could also be said that Hamilton was repeatedly looking forward to what his legacy would be like if he were to die in that exact moment, this then contributes to the theme of not having enough time. Hamilton feels the pressure to accomplish all his 'dreams' before he dies, especially after 'Tomorrow There'll Be More of Us'. This is the scene where Hamilton learns about John Laurens death, Laurens died before accomplishing his dream and Hamilton fears that will happen to him, which causes an immediate change, you see the beginning of Hamilton becoming more urgent in creating a legacy.
"How do you write like you're running out of time? - Aaron Burr
Another theme in the musical you see two contrasting approaches to life, taking action and waiting. Hamilton chooses to take every opportunities that comes his way and Burr chooses to wait for a moment that never seems come. It seems that Hamilton makes Burr insecure and self- conscious even when Hamilton admired Burr. Hamilton's approach to life leans more to being impulsive, whereas Burr's approach is calculating, in the end you see their hamartias and the realisation that they could've accomplished more together.
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"I'll write my way out... Overwhelm them with honesty" - Hamilton
"I'm willing to wait for it" - Burr
(Taken from the programme)
1757: Alexander Hamilton born out of wedlock on the British island of Nevis (in the Caribbean) and later orphaned.
1765: Hamilton's family movers to the Caribbean island St Croix. Stamp Act: Congress protests first direct British tax, setting up a model for the future Continental Congress.
1766: Father abandons family.
1768: Mother dies; Hamilton begins clerking in St Croix.
1770: Boston Massacre: British soldiers open fire on a group of American colonists, killing five men. Event helps galvanise the colonial public to the Patriot cause.
1772: Fifteen-year-old Hamilton's 'Hurricane Letter' is published in a local newspaper.
1773: Hamilton sent to King's College (later Columbia University) in New York City - a hotbed of political and revolutionary activity. Angry colonist protest taxes at the Boston Tea Party, dumping 342 chest of tea into the barbour.
1774: At only 17, Hamilton publishes his first political article 'A Full Vindication'.
1775: George Washington appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental forces. Hamilton joins a militia.
1776: The Declaration of Independence on 4 July by the Continental Congress of the newly proclaimed United States of America.
1777: Hamilton appointed Lieutenant Colonel and aide-de-camp to George Washington, drafting letters, composing reform reports and restructuring Continental Army.
1778: Francs recognises US as an independent nation.
1780: Hamilton marries Elizabeth Schuyler.
1781: British Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis defeated at Yorktown, the American victory that started the end of the Revolutionary War.
1782: After only months of self-education , Hamilton admitted to NY Bar as a lawyer and elected to the Continental Congress as an NY delegate.
1783: Britain recognises the independence of the United States of America in the Treaty of Paris, ending the American Revolution.
1784: Hamilton founds and becomes director of the Bank of New York, modelled after the Bank of England.
1787: The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia meets to decide new America is to be governed. Hamilton begins writing The Federalist Papers - authoring 51 of 85 essays. These were written to persuade the populace of the value of and need to ratify the new constitution
1789: Hamilton appointed first Secretary of the Treasury as Washington is elected as first President. In Paris, the French Revolution begins.
1790: Talks between Hamilton, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson result in the Residence Act- which moves the capital of the new nation to 'south' (DC) in exchange for legislation mandating the assumption of all of the states' debts by the Federal government. Hamilton's move results in the foundation of the nation's financial system.
1791: Thomas Jefferson and James Madison form the Republican Party to oppose Hamilton. Hamilton begins affair with Maria Reynolds in 'America's first political sex scandal'.
1794: Hamilton helps suppress the Whiskey Rebellion. John Jay is sent to Britain to negotiate a treaty settling unresolved issues of the American Revolution.
1795: Hamilton resigns as Secretary of the Treasury.
1797: John Adams inaugurated as second President In the 'Reynolds Pamphlet', Hamilton admits to an adulterous affair with Maria Reynolds in order to refute accusation of financial fraud.
1801: Hamilton advises the Federalist to back Thomas Jefferson over Aaron Burr in an Electoral College deadlock. The House elects Jefferson the third President, and Burr Vic President. Hamilton founds the New York Evening post. His eldest son, Philip, is killed in a duel.
1804: Burr loses governor of New York election, due in part to Hamilton's opposition. Hamilton is killed on 11 July by Aaron Burr in America's most famous duel - ending a long and bitter rivalry.
1807: Aaron Burr is tried for treason and acquitted.
1854: 'Eliza' Schuyler dies 50 years after her husband.
The skill that I further understand and the value that requires you to be part of the production is commitment, each actor was committed to their role throughout the musical, which plays a big role in helping the audience really get into the musical and to both understand and relate to it well, not only that, there is the commitment of showing up everyday because there will be some weeks where there will be 9 performances in 1 week so even if you're not feeling 100% , you just have to remember that there are people that are counting on you to be there and you can't let them down just because you're not bothered so you have to be committed to your character and to your fellow actors.
Some of the challenges of working as a performer in the industry is that you obviously won't get every role you audition for and that you need to be okay with that. Another challenge (for some) is actually loving what you're doing; people can tell when you don't really care about the role you're acting in or when you're bored, your true feelings for the role can take away from what could have be a special performance. In approach to my training, this can help me to remember not to hesitate or let fear stop me from auditioning and to continue to love, care for my work and even if I get bored, I will try not to let that show on stage.
The story of Alexander Hamilton was told through singing and rapping. Music has a way to connect with all kinds of people and this alone helps to clearly form a connection with a modern audience, to add to that hip-hop is one of the most listened to genres in the world so that contributes to the audience to willingly listen to what is happening on stage and to understand the historical context of the story being told.
The performances in the production was very successful, a reason for this is that you can clearly see how much it means and how important the story of Hamilton is to every single cast member. There wasn't a moment where the energy on stage dropped. Choosing one character that stood out is difficult because of how each actor brought out the best in another actor however, you can say Rachel John, who played Angelica Schuyler because in her song Satisfied, you are able to relate if you have a sibling because of the idea that you'd do almost anything for them, even if it mean sacrificing your own happiness and in the moment when she performed she made it feel real and that is what made it so special.
During songs like 'Say No to This' or 'It's Quiet Uptown' really made the communication between the audience and the performers successful as the ensemble were the voice in the audience's head and as they were singing we were thinking the exact same thing.
Q&A with the Cast of Hamilton WestEnd
1. What challenges do you face to perform to the high standards every day?
The company around you helps keep up a high level of performance.Drinking water and self care both mentally and physically also helps.
2. What was the first step in the rehearsal & how did you build your characters?
First of all, listened to the music, look at the songs you're doing and how you interact with other characters, see how you relate to the characters, ask questions as acting comes from the truth, enjoy it and just prep yourself for it.
"I am because We are."
"We are working together to create."
3. Any songs that is emotional to perform?
Cleve September said 'Tomorrow There'll Be More of Us' and Stay Alive (Reprise) because he has to genuinely feel that some days and he crosses a line and he cries too much.
Curtis Angus: 'It's Quiet Uptown' because it is about forgiveness and he has had to forgive people in his life that don't necessarily deserve to be forgiven.
4. Who is a modern day Hamilton?
You, because you can come from nowhere parents can be an immigrants or you but then you can still have the ability to inspire someone and anyone has it in the
5. Who in the show is most like their character?
Tarinn Callender when he plays Hercules Mulligan
6. How did you get into the performing arts industry?
Leah Hills: Started dancing at 3: ballet, jazz, tap, went to Arts Ed and went through a total of 10 auditions for Hamilton.
You watch and study people around you. No one is your competition, just someone you can learn from.
7. What is the legacy of Hamilton?
You, performing it in the future. We want the climate to change not the weather
You have a voice and you can make the theatre and media more diverse.
No one gets there by themselves.
8. How do you think they can do it, bring in more of a diverse audience?
We need diversity so you write it.
You have a mind of your own and you unlock it and climb the ladder, as they are inspiring our minds and we can then inspire others and that's legacy.
The story to be told and so much of black history that is untold so we can tell it.
We can create the diversity on stage.
"Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story"
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