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what is hamilton about and why is it so popular

by Garland Hickle Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The musical tells the story of the Founding Fathers of America, Alexander Hamilton. This story is not just about revolution but it is a revolution itself. Its use of hip-hop, rap, rhythm and blues as part of the musical, along with the inclusiveness of its cast, is what sets this Broadway show apart from others.Jul 21, 2020

Full Answer

What is Hamilton about?

All but one scene in the show is on the cast album, so you get a good sense of the show. In short— it’s a show about the life of first United States Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton; it’s a lot less boring than it sounds. So, why does everyone care so much about Hamilton?

Why is Hamilton so popular on Broadway?

Hamilton has quickly become Broadway’s most cherished and sought after musical for theater buffs, critiques and all Americans alike. Not only does it boast the highest ticket prices since The Book of Mormon, but it has had a cultural impact beyond the theater.

Why is Alexander Hamilton so popular?

He rose out of shyness and uncertainty to become someone with a head stuffed full of rhymes and rhythms, and an amazing skill at fitting them together on the fly, at speed, with emotional cargo carried along for the ride. If you want to engage kids with Revolutionary War history, Hamilton is an amazing tool to do it.

Why do people love Hamilton so much?

That stems in part from word-of-mouth: Hamilton is the kind of show that everyone talks about, so much so it catches the attention of people who'd otherwise have no interest in a musical, or even the theater in general. The quality leads to a sense of hype which leads to those sold-out crowds, which then only feeds the hype machine further still.

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What is the play Hamilton supposed to be about?

Composed over a seven-year period from 2008 to 2015, the musical tells the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. Miranda said that he was inspired to write the musical after reading the 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. Miranda says Hamilton was originally a hip hop album in his head.

Why did the musical Hamilton become so popular?

Hamilton also came along as the right show at the right time, too. The show re-packages an important and overlooked part of America's history through the lens of people of color, thus becoming a story of immigrants (who "get the job done") and how they helped lay the foundations of the United States.

What is Hamilton short summary?

Hamilton: An American Musical is the history-inspired story of the life and political career of Alexander Hamilton, one of the key players in the American Revolutionary War and in the shaping the government, policies, and Constitution of the newly born United States of America.

Whats the big deal with Hamilton?

Alexander Hamilton (1755/7–1804) rose from an impoverished upbringing to become one of the founding fathers of America. Today, he is best known for featuring on the $10 bill in the United States and as the subject of the hugely successful musical theatre production, Hamilton.

Why do people like Hamilton so much?

The musical's wild success was largely attributed to its seamless blend of hip-hop, rap, and traditional show tunes, as well as its race-bent casting that cast people of color in the roles of the white founding fathers.

Why is Hamilton so catchy?

So why is Hamilton so insanely popular? I believe it is due its great word of mouth from the theater-going public, its endless accolades from the critics, the many wins at the 2016 Tony Awards, and the overall desire for people to see a unique retelling of the story of one of America's most famous founding fathers.

What do I need to know before watching Hamilton?

Find out more about Hamilton in London.Hamilton was an immigrant. ... Hamilton wanted to go to battle. ... Hamilton was in the media. ... Hamilton wrote documents supporting the U.S. Constitution. ... Hamilton was a member of the Federalist Party. ... Hamilton was never President. ... Hamilton is on the U.S. $10 bill.More items...•

What is the controversy with Hamilton?

And according to the Washington Post, others note that while the show's hero, Alexander Hamilton, was an abolitionist who didn't own slaves, the fact that he worked closely with slave-owning founding fathers makes him a cog in a racist system.

What did Hamilton do to change the world?

Hamilton's journalistic campaign, through the Federalist Papers, to convince the American people to ratify the Constitution equals in importance his creation of the Bank of the United States and the New York Stock Exchange and his pioneering efforts in the area of constitutional law.

Is Hamilton worth the hype?

Hamilton is worth all the hype. It makes me want to watch more plays and musicals and really start keeping up with the work of Lin-Manuel Miranda. The man is truly a creative genius.

Why was Hamilton more popular than in the Heights?

While In the Heights has been described as a "hip-hop version of Rent" [via ET], Hamilton was something completely unique. It caught the attention of those who didn't have any previous interest in theater, and word-of-mouth spread fast, leading to sold-out shows. This was a key reason why Hamilton is more popular.

Is Hamilton the most popular musical ever?

1. Hamilton. The story of the man on the ten dollar bill has been Broadway's number one smash hit since its release.

Why is Hamilton so successful?

Playwright, composer, Tony Award winner and father are just a couple terms that begin to describe the accomplished, incredible man that is Lin-Manuel Miranda. Lin has been said to be the modern Shakespeare.

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Why is history so boring?

History can tend to be boring and many people find history to be a less important subject because it does not deal with the present. Lin can be credited with making history cool...well at least the American Revolution and the founding fathers, especially Alexander Hamilton. Sometimes history is difficult because textbooks condense information, for example Hamilton's life is condensed to Aaron Burr shot and killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel, yet there is clearly so much more to the story. Lin's musical makes us ask the question, how much history and information are we missing out on?

Why is Lin's comparison of Hamilton not refuted?

This comparison has not been refuted because of Lin's undeniable talent. His astounding characterization of Hamilton would be enough for people to love and praise Lin, but he is not only the title character he also wrote the entire show. The lyrics, score and book were all written by the talented man.

Why is history so difficult?

Sometimes history is difficult because textbooks condense information, for example Hamilton's life is condensed to Aaron Burr shot and killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel, yet there is clearly so much more to the story. Lin's musical makes us ask the question, how much history and information are we missing out on? 4.

What awards did Hamilton win?

The choreography is incredibly thought out and matches the lyrics and music perfectly. Hamilton won Tony Awards for Best Costume Design of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestration. 10. Fans.

Why is Hamilton so revolutionary?

Why is "Hamilton" so revolutionary? Because it is a musical about a founding father that incorporates rap and hip hop into the music and choreography . This is a new, inventive musical that keeps the younger generations interested in musical theatre and history.

What is the most cherished musical on Broadway?

Hamilton has quickly become Broadway’s most cherished and sought after musical for theater buffs, critiques and all Americans alike. Not only does it boast the highest ticket prices since The Book of Mormon, but it has had a cultural impact beyond the theater.

What is the music in Hamilton?

For those who have never enjoyed musicals, Hamilton could be the exception. Most of the soundtrack features hip-hop and R&B music as it tells the story of an immigrant making a place for himself amidst war and political change. The songs and eccentric personalities of the actors add interest and character that was absent to politics during the 1800s. The play uses different musical styles for each character. For example, King George sings ballads of heartbreak for comic relief after his separation with the colonies. In contrast, presidential candidates and politicians have rap battles over proposed policies and taxes.

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How long is the musical Guns and Ships?

If it was a usual musical, it would take 12 hours for the 20,000 words sang. Instead it is about 2.5 hours long with 144 per minute. It currently holds the title for the fastest-paced musical on Broadway. It's fastest song, Guns and Ships, features Daveed Diggs and goes to about 6.3 words per second .

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When did Hamilton's duel with George Eacker happen?

Act two is really where the majority of the inaccuracies start. In the show, Philip Hamilton's duel with George Eacker seems to happen before the Election of 1800. You're lead to believe that during this election, Hamilton was very upset and inconsolable during the election. When in fact, Philip Hamilton's duel actually occurred in 1801, just a small 3 years before Hamilton's duel with Burr.

Who was the historical advisor on the movie Miranda?

Even with its few inaccuracies, it still holds its ground. Miranda had a historical advisor on staff while writing and directing it: Ron Chernow. It seems only fitting that his inspiration help with the accuracy of the production.

How many Tony Awards did Hamilton win?

And now, four years after taking Broadway by storm, smashing sales records and capturing 11 Tony Awards, "Hamilton" continues to wow audiences at San Francisco's SHN Orpheum Theatre, now through January 5.

What is Hamilton about?

It's the story of a new nation, seen through the eyes of an immigrant who would become George Washington's right hand man, help cement the Constitution and create the first national bank. Rise up!

What genre is Hamilton's tale told in?

Hamilton's tale is told through rap, hip-hop and R&B -- genres popular on the radio and iTunes but, until this show, rarely featured on Broadway.

Who wrote the musical Hamilton?

We're talking about "Hamilton", the groundbreaking musical written by Lin Manuel-Miranda about one of our most important, yet least-known, founding fathers -- Alexander Hamilton.

Why is Alexander Hamilton a Hispanic actor?

Lin Miranda has said that the reason Alexander Hamilton is cast as a hispanic actor is because he grew up never seeing any lead roles for hispanic men. So far, just about every show he’s written is written for a hispanic lead— oftentimes, it’s Lin himself. Great story. The story of this show is incredible.

Why is Hamilton so popular?

Hamilton is successful and popular because it is different. Not only is Lin-Manuel Miranda a lyrical genius, but he was able to take something that most people know at least a little about and make it into a musical that is easy to understand and entertaining to watch. I am someone who was very involved in musical theatre in high school and I have always been a fan of musicals. The beauty of Hamilton is that even “non-musical people” can find something in it that they relate to or enjoy. The music is a nice mix between rap, R&B, pop and “traditional” musical theatre music which makes it more a

How many Tony Awards did Hamilton win?

It’s a Genuine Smash. “Hamilton” is on track to become one of the biggest critical and commercial hits in Broadway history. It won 11 Tony Awards, including best musical, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for drama and a Grammy Award for best musical theater album.

What is Hamilton's musical style?

Accessible music. Compared to most other musicals, Hamilton ’s musical style (rap, hip-hop, R&B) is a lot similar to popular music than shows like, say, Fun Home. Singing along to Hamilton songs is a lot easier to singing a long to most other musical songs, which have super high notes and less repeatable sound-bites.

How many songs are there in Hamilton?

In the whole musical, there is no instances where there isn’t music playing, or someone singing or rapping. There are a total of 46 songs in the musical, which is a lot.

What does the turntable in the middle represent?

The costumes are gorgeous, and the way the stage is designed is so unique with its turntable in the middle representing time passing (or going back in time). Every character has their own ideas, wants, and beliefs, and the ensemble is just as incredible as the leads.

Why is it important to see people of color on stage?

Seeing other people of color taking main roles is crucial in encouraging them to step onto the stage themselves.

What is the musical about Hamilton and Burr?

The musical emphasizes interculturalism by depicting the struggles and power arrangements through two opposing cultural figures — Hamilton and Burr. At the story’s end, they are at odds with one another, fearful and perturbed, to the point where they face off in a duel to the death.

What is the immigrant story in Hamilton?

The immigrant story doesn’t only refer to Hamilton, after all; it defies generations as well as ethnic groups. The musical promotes multiculturalism by telling a story of a white immigrant through the lens of a Puerto Rican artist, incorporating the kind of hip-hop lyrics typically written by people of color.

What is the musical "The Immigrant Story" about?

The musical incorporates the ups and downs of Hamilton’s wild life, which also included a notorious sex scandal, by demonstrating the need for what is a universal immigrant story , one that helps incorporate the first of the three concepts, which is multiculturalism. The immigrant story doesn’t only refer to Hamilton, ...

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Who created Hamilton?

Nov 22, 2018 · 3 min read. pixabay.com. The musical Hamilton created by Lin-Manuel Miranda has been a smash hit on Broadway since its premiere in 2015, audiences flocking to the show the world over.

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1.Is Hamilton Overrated? Why The Musical Is So Popular

Url:https://screenrant.com/hamilton-popular-reason-not-overrated-explained/

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2.Why is Hamilton so popular? – The Palette

Url:https://ljcdspalette.org/1663/news/the-hamilton-phenomenon/

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Url:https://www.theodysseyonline.com/5-reasons-why-hamilton-is-so-popular

33 hours ago  · Hamilton's tale is told through rap, hip-hop and R&B -- genres popular on the radio and iTunes but, until this show, rarely featured on Broadway. ... So, don't throw away your shot. ...

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Url:https://abc7news.com/hamilton-the-musical-who-wrote-what-is/5546735/

32 hours ago Some people like this musical because it’s about America. Some people are interested in Hamilton because it’s popular; the behaviour is called “fitting in” or “following trends. Some …

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Url:https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Hamilton-the-Broadway-musical-so-popular

19 hours ago  · I believe it is due its great word of mouth from the theater-going public, its endless accolades from the critics, the many wins at the 2016 Tony Awards, and the overall desire for …

6.Why did Hamilton get so popular? Why do so many …

Url:https://www.quora.com/Why-did-Hamilton-get-so-popular-Why-do-so-many-people-like-it-so-much

4 hours ago Hamilton is a Broadway musical about the life of one of America's Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton. It's won a ton of awards since its debut in 2015, and is widely admired for its diverse …

7.Why is Hamilton so successful? - Medium

Url:https://medium.com/@brianrowe_70270/why-is-hamilton-so-successful-71e1752257f6

20 hours ago  · Fig. 6—Alexander Hamilton, Marquis de Lafayette and Henry Laurens enjoyed each other’s company deeply as described in numerous intimate letters that historians describe as …

8.Why is Hamilton so popular? What is it? : r/OutOfTheLoop …

Url:https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/5gkk1g/why_is_hamilton_so_popular_what_is_it/

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