Not throwing away my shot: Disney’s “Hamilton” Review
On May 2, 2009, President Barack Obama hosted the first White House Poetry Jam, inviting actors, poets and all ranges of artists to perform. Among these was Lin-Manuel Miranda fresh off his Tony win for his hip-hop musical “In The Heights.” While other presenters performed spoken word poetry and monologues from Shakespeare, he sang the first song of the hip-hop concept album he was working on. The audience may have been laughing then but as of June 3, 2020, the opening lyric has proven true that the world would know not only his name but that of Alexander Hamilton.
This was the world’s first look at “Hamilton” and now, more than 10 years later, it’s hard to imagine Broadway without it. Before it hit off-Broadway at the Public Theatre in February 2015, critics were raving and it is evident why.
Through hip-hop bops, rap battle beats and R&B ballads, the top-notch cast guides audiences through the life of the “forgotten” founding father, Alexander Hamilton. From the battled war cries of revolution, the heartwarming blossoms of romance, the political and moral scandals, the fateful rivalry and duels, it’s the coolest history lesson you’ll ever sit through.
The movie is not a feature-length film adaptation of the musical. Instead, it is a recording of the original Broadway cast. It was filmed over the course of a week at the Richard Roger’s Theatre in New York City in June of 2016 before the three leads (Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Leslie Oldom Jr. as Aaron Burr, and Phillipa Soo as Eliza Schuyler/Hamilton) left the cast that July. The beloved Jonathon Groff (known best for his roles in “Frozen,” “Glee” and the original Broadway production of “Spring Awakening”) had already ended his run as King George III but returned especially for filming.
The film includes masterfully edited clips filmed in front of a live audience with authentic background reactions as well as a silent house. This unique filming style allows for not only full stage shots as seen from the theatre’s house but also intimate close-ups and never before seen angles above, behind and to the side of the action to give each viewer the best seat in the house at every second.
In its time, the show was nominated for a record-breaking 16 Tony Awards in 12 categories at the 70th Tony Awards Ceremony. It took home 11 awards that night including best lead actor in a musical (Leslie Oldom Jr. as Aaron Burr), best featured actor (Daveed Diggs as Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), best featured actress (Renee Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler), and best musical. That same year it won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In the UK, it’s won seven Olivier Awards (the British equivalent of Tony Awards) since coming to the West End in 2017.
Between its witty lyrics, complex score, extensive choreography, rugged set, elegant costumes and heartbreaking soliloquies, its critical success is a no brainer, and its subject matter has never been more applicable than the present.
With passionate pleas to rise up and join the fight against oppressors even if we never live to see that glory, it is a rallying cry for protestors across the country to continue their efforts against the nation’s social injustice.
“Hamilton” has been continually praised for its diverse, colorblind casting. The cast is filled to the brim with actors of Hispanic, African American and Asian descent in a reverse whitewashing of history. The push for equality among the cast was ahead of its time and not only has every production of “Hamilton” since the original followed suit but many new Broadway shows as well, such as “Dear Evan Hansen.” “Hadestown,” and “Natasha-Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.”
At a time like this, “Hamilton” is a revelatory celebration of our country and, more importantly, a reminder of the hope of freedom, equality and justice for all people beginning with simple protests against tyrannical rulers. The effortlessly diverse cast portrays the dreams of early America in ways never before imagined or seen. Its timely release just before Independence Day and amidst political, social and racial upheaval is a call to unite.
If you were one of the millions who love the soundtrack, are a fan of musicals or simply of history, “Hamilton” will be well worth your time and leave you jumping in your seat cheering, curled over laughing, struck silent in awe and desperately reaching for the tissues.
The film takes the breathtaking show to enhanced heights to present the most satisfying streaming experience of 2020’s quarantine.
“Hamilton” is now streaming exclusively on Disney+.
Dara Lusk was born and raised in northern Virginia outside of Washington, DC. She is majoring in English with an emphasis in Technical/Professional Writing and a minor in Anthropology. When not writing she loves reading and annotating classic literature.
@dara_marie_