"I Know Him" - HAMILTON ⭐ Jonathan Groff's Final Performance | Musical Theatre Coach Reacts
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- Musical Theatre Coach Marc Daniel Patrick reacts to Jonathan Groff's final performance in Hamilton - "I Know Him"
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I think all the giggling, dancing, and sudden anger all fits the character. King George was losing his mind by the end. Which is why the spitting in the first song is brilliant to me. It's foreshadowing the madness to me so by the 3rd song he can let it loose. Each song he becomes a little more unraveled and I love that.
Absolutely. I appreciate this guy but I don’t agree with a lot of what he says.
That’s exactly how I interpreted it. I thought you could clearly see him becoming just a tiny bit more unhinged in each performance to the point where he’s just lost it and is kind of saying fuck it.
I came here to say this. I want to add that even though he lost the war I’m sure that there was relief with the war being over and him thinking well, you think your better off without me let’s see what you do with it. Then he finds out this huge figure is just stepping down and a guy you aren’t impressed with takes over
With great respect, I normally enjoy watching your reactions; however, I couldn’t help but notice that you spent 1/2 of your time telling us “how they should have done it”.
🤔Obviously this is the unsolicited opinion from someone who knows little to nothing about musical theatre; and your opinions are yours to express on your own channel.
I simply can’t see Lin-Manuel Miranda needing to seek your approval/opinions on how to “fix” his show.
🙂I really enjoy watching your reactions and will continue to do so. You have amazing insights into the world of musical theatre.
😕This one just came across as though you should have been consulted before they made stage direction decisions.
(exits soapbox)
Also that line “if you’re gone I’ll go mad”. He literally went mad.
I interpreted his sudden emoting at the end as now that they're independent they're no longer his problem and he can finally sit back and just have fun watching the shenanigans. It's the first time we've seen him where the colonies aren't his responsibility.
I interpret it the same way. Also, it kind of feels like he thinks that they will destroy themselves. He does not seem angry to me at any point here, more like amused with the stupidity (in his opinion) of their actions.
I think he's gleeful because they beat him and now they're going to tear themselves apart trying to become a stable country. He's experiencing schadenfreude.
I saw this in NY end of July and don’t remember a spotlight on the king chair dancing, although I do remember his gesture to reposition the chair. Perhaps the lighting in the Disney show is different. Can someone who has seen this often on Broadway please correct me if I’m wrong.
“I wasn’t aware that was something a person COULD do.”
The choice of the word “could” as opposed to “would” indicates that King George had never considered a leader no longer leading as something that is even plausible. Indeed, until that time, it wasn’t. The line serves to defamiliarize something we all take for granted (at least until 2 years ago): a peaceful transition of power. It was a novel idea to King George, and he delivers that line somewhat wistfully, as if he, too, might enjoy sitting under his own vine. Instead, his life is small and petty despite being one of the most powerful men on the planet. He isn’t really in charge of his own life, and so he takes charge of those around him. (Thus, he over dictates the placement of a stool).
I have always thought that line and the way Groff delivers it humanizes and softens KG. I can almost feel sorry for him, and I can understand why he gets so much glee from the prospect of other peoples’ pain. His own life is empty, and he’s bored.
Groff’s exaggerated dance moves as the song transitions into The Adams Administration shows he is a voyeur rather than a participant at this point, and it aligns with this reading of the line because it demonstrates KG’s boredom with his role as someone who plays a part rather than lives a life (and there’s another Macbeth allusion.)
I read in some other comments (I have not really researched it) that KG had tried to abdicate because he feels he is going mad, but they didn't let him.
Can I check in with you first, before filming any future Hamilton vids...? Loved this.
As I read this response it is spot on as to my thoughts as I watched the performance and so well said.
@@MarcDanielPatrick Ha! Sure thing. Over- analyzing and getting too emotionally invested into the lives of fictional characters(or semi-fictional, in this case) is my job. (English teacher)
Also worth noting that in real life KG3 apparently referred to G-Dubs as "the greatest man in the world" when he learned of his voluntary step down. As a politics nerd and American history buff, I regard Washington's farewell address as almost every bit as important as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Bill of Rights (which Madison wrote!), and the Federalist Papers; it embodied in practice the principles the preceding expressions advocated in theory. Hearing the words "Though in reviewing the incidents of my Administration I am unconscious of intentional error..." gave me a cry cos I recognized the phrase.
I always thought the silly dancing at the end wasn't him being literally with Burr listening to the song, but instead him watching the events that Burr is narrating from his own throne - hearing from overseas all of the happenings and political craziness between Hamilton and Adams and enjoying the chaos in his own separate place and time.
He is a genius. Every move was planned. The waving of his scepter and swaying when Burr comes on stage is an additional descent to madness which was wonderfully displayed in that crazy giggle. I also thought that he honestly didn't know you could "quit" your job if you were king. Those nuanced waves are brilliant. Love him.
I believe the “punch” when he says “tear each other into pieces” was supposed to be a ripping motion, but they zoomed in too much to see the full gesture
I agree with the theory it is a ripping motion
Could make sense. Good point.
Right? The line is "they will TEAR each other into pieces..." He's doing a tearing motion. Like, It's obvious.
@@MarcDanielPatrick yes it’s ripping motion I watched it live it wasn’t punch he was like ripping paper 📄 but bc they zoomed a lot so it can’t been seen correctly watch other footage
He would not break his Scepter. It is a sign of the monarch's power like his crown.
And they probably would not want to keep having to replace the prop every night 😅
"You can be a raging, foaming at the mouth, ball of mental health (while you're in charge of our entire country)...but dont you dare break that Scepter"
@@MarcDanielPatrick especially if it's made of solid gold---that might be very difficult to do 😅
Agree. Also, they break the scepter when the monarch dies so that would be a startling and inappropriate character move.
“I wasn’t aware that was something a person could do.”
I have a third, very literal interpretation: that it had truly not occurred to the King that this was possible. It’s a not-so-subtle reminder that the peaceful transition of power had not happened before (so far as I’m aware). In the show it then reinforces One Last Time.
Thinking about your comments re his delivery: I’m remembering other moments: At the end of “What Comes Next” he drops his posture, as if giving up hope, just before storming offstage. And in Hurricane he appears onstage as one of the many characters gleefully tossing papers to the floor, taking continued pleasure in the self-destruction of Hamilton. So I don’t see this moment in quite as much isolation.
I’d love to see others and how they play the role - particularly Bryan d’Arcy James’ interpretation of the role. There’s so many ways this could be played it would be fascinating to compare them.
I've always taken the line literally as well. It's not so much that it seems good someone would give up that much power, but the concept of transferable power is an alien idea to the man.
im such a Bryan D'Arcy James fan. I really wish there was some video footage of him in this role.
@AZBYCX I mean an elected head of state and government. That’s quite different from an elected representative to an assembly or parliament, which I grant you had been around for centuries.
The part where he appear in Hurricane just to toss paper (and shade at Hamilton) on stage is hilarious.
It makes no sense that he would be there but if he was in the building, I could see him showing up.
@Marc, the scepter is part of his regal attire. I don't think he would dare break it because it's a symbol of his power. Love your breakdown. :) As far as the laugh and his childish regression, it is part of his devolving into madness.
I believe it's only broken after their death?
@@cav3ryyep, as seen during the queens funeral. They don’t break the actual sceptre but a wooden stick representing. Symbolising that their reign is over and can rest.
‘The breaking of the stick’ (the Wand of Office) symbolises the end of the Lord Chancellor’s service to the Monarch, as he holds the most senior position in the Royal Household, as well as the end of the Sovereign’s reign. It is placed on the coffin of the deceased Monarch. A new Wand of Office will be given by the new Monarch to the person that he selects to be the new Lord Chancellor.
The Sceptre symbolises the temporal power (Sovereign authority) that the Monarch holds, and is passed from Monarch to Monarch.
Your suggestion would only work if he instead snatched the Wand of Office from his Lord Chancellor and snapped it in half.
I've always interpreted the "wasn't aware" line as the King not being able to comprehend that someone is even able to step down from that much power because he's so culturally used to having a born right to rule for as long as he lives. The idea of power being something one can give away is like a foreign language to him.
This is exactly how I interpreted that line
Tome, it highlights the difference between a king and a president.
Especially as they believed that they were the embodiment of God on earth..
He is getting "madder" as time goes by and from the moment he realizes this could be fun to watch them destroy themselves with Adams he can't control his glee. I can see him reading the reports and reacting in his private rooms like we see him reacting on his "throne" at side stage as things happen.
Groff is so good that it takes watching each line and every move more than once to pick up all of the nuances
1. "I wasn't aware that's something a person could do" is actually a line which highlights the incredible move of George Washington stepping down. That really wasn't something anyone had ever done. And he did it to teach the country - or even the world - how a country can peacefully transition power from one leader to another. George Washington could have been a democratically appointed king if he wanted it to be. (And at the time, many, MANY folks did want him to be that.)
2. The giddy squeal is totally fitting, because it demonstrates King George III's further slide into his insanity.
Mmmm. Washington wasnt without some faults as well, lets not forget that. But to appoint a King, would love to see how that would work in todays society.
@@MarcDanielPatrick Absolutely. He was definitely a man full of flaws. Being a slave owner in particular. But in the contemporary lens, his faults weren't seen as much as faults. But one of the things that makes him stand out, even by today's standards, is his willingness to stand down from positions of power gracefully and peacefully.
I think the bit with him at the end works because it is so in keeping with his final stage appearance in the Reynolds Pamphlet. The Adam's Administration marks a point in the show where we kind of get inside Hamilton's more unhinged, paranoid state of mind that people are laughing at and plotting against him. So the King George from the point he sits down--totally my own interpretation--but it's like he is in Hamilton's head, a kind of mocking figure. Plus, he's super fun.
I was coming here to say exactly this! His descent into madness, coupled with losing the colonies and just watching with glee as they (hopefully) crash and burn, dovetails nicely with everything in Hamilton's life about to collapse around him. It totally makes sense, in the world of the show, that he would be there, joyous at Hamilton's downfall, and adding to the paranoia of Hamilton as he feels the world is watching and mocking him.
If King George said it was “something a person WOULD” do, it sounds like he’s surprised anyone would want to step away. But he said COULD, which I interpret as surprise that it could be possible. Like he’d never considered it.
I feel like Jonathan Groff interpretation of the king at this point on, is his way of showing The Kings descent into madness.
Like we see the madness peeking out here and there throughout the show. (the spit, the deadpan “I will kill your friends and family.” Line. Etc) but this is where he finally loses it.
Because after this, we have “The Reynolds’s Pamphlet.” Where The King is just going all out.
If we didn’t have this moment of him dancing during “Adam’s Administration” then seeing The King going all out during The Reynolds Pamphlet.” Would be so jarring and out of the blue. This lets the audience be receptive to The King in full dance mode later on.
11:45 when you talk about the giggle you gave to remember King George was going insane. It makes sense that he was slipping into a more childlike action especially when he was all alone.
I can’t see him ever breaking his scepter. That is a sign of his monarchy in England.
The end bit is for me a continuation of both the line "They will tear each other into pieces/JC, this will be fun." and what you said before, aka him being by himself: Even though he is still on stage and surrounded by the other actors, it feels like we see him still by himself, reacting to whatever is transpiring in America (sung by Burr).
He doesn't believe it will go well in any form or shape and he's just enjoying the show, the beginning of "tearing each other into pieces" 😌
The dance and giggle is George being excited like a child to watch chaos happen like the mad gremlin he is.
I think the giggling, dancing, etc may be a sign that the king is starting to lose his marbles. According to Wikipedia his mental health was seriously deteriorating right around this time.
Absolutely agree. I always see this portrayal as really trying to showcase the madness of King George and his deteriorating mental capabilities.
Precisely - I clicked in here to make the same point. Plus if you look at the series of appearance he gets progressively more. It’s a very specific performance of him his portrayal and in the writing.
Nothing he does is a gimmick. He’s a seasoned Broadway performer - he doesn’t need tricks to milk an audience. The king has a unique role in the show in that he is a proxy for the audience because he’s the only one looking at the situation from the outside of the events.
I disagreed as well about the notion of him breaking his scepter [that’s what that staff is called] that would be out of royal composure. If he broke it, that would be the peak of his rage and steal from the conclusion.
"I didn't know..." in the UK that monarch is usually a role the person is stuck with..as a Brit I took this as him literally gobsmacked that rulers can actually leave/be gotten rid of
The progressive “dressing down” of the King is wonderfully depictive of his descent of mind. And the giggling. Wonderful.
I think the parts where he is angry or hysterical, is a sign of his madness. King George the Third was showing signs of madness at this point in history and I love that both Lin and Jonathan showed that. It might not be obvious for the American audience, who do not know British history, but it does show them that he was a different ruler compared to Presidents. Kings and Queens of Britain rule until they die, abdicate, overthrown or deemed unfit. That's what I get from the line 'I wasn't aware that was something a person could do'. He ended up having a regency where his son ruled in his place but not as King. King George was still king until he died.
I have always LOVED a good musical. I'd heard that Hamilton was fantastic, but there was no way that I was ever going be able to go and see it. I had not heard much about it except that it was about history. So when it came on Disney + I was really excited to see it. To say I was dumbfounded when I first saw it would be a massive understatement! I had NO IDEA it was in a hip hop or rap! LOL!! It was one of the most phenomenal performances I ever saw in musical theater and I completely understand what all the furor was. But Jonathan Groff's performance is also among my favorites. I'm not sure it could be more perfect! I never knew about the spitting thing. I just thought it added to the KIng's madness. His switching from anger to giddiness throughout was simply masterful and speaks to "less is more" in a quintessential way. And those eyes.... laser focused on the audience... OMG. What a performance!! I saw your first review and learned so much about these performances and continued to watch your other ones. So much I did not know because I am not a professional, that I really appreciated learning because it really helped to better understand the art and talent behind these performances. So thank you!! As for the King and not knowing-- I think that is a reference to the history of the Monarchy where they stay on the thrown till they die. I cannot imagine this King even contemplating abdication. I think he's really just flummoxed. Oh- and the tthing he's carrying is a sceptre.
I interpreted the part of him sitting for the Adams Administration as George was expecting everything to fall apart under Adams and they’d come back to George and England. So he was sitting back, ready to watch it fall apart as he predicted it would from his first part. And he was giddy because he felt he was about to be proven correct. That the colonists and their “country” were about to fail
I think the little dance in the chair was dope. I thought of it like him sitting in his chair privately watching what the country was doing and being entertained. I know they’re on the stage together in that moment and the attention should shift away from him now that his final piece has concluded but at that point why have him on stage at all if he’s going to sit reaction-less after saying, “Jesus Christ this will be fun” and then cackling in maniacal laughter as he watches from afar and dances hearing news of what’s transpiring in this suppose place they call a country. It gets an A in my book lol
To me, the giddy outburst at the end of the song supports the notion of “madness of King George”, like the spitting.
He was honestly one of the best highlights of the play! For me the best scene he did when the Reynolds Pamphlet part came up with the whaky dance he did, I was dying!
Yes, it was gold! I rewinded it about 10 times to rewatch -- hilariously contrasted the very formulaic dancing from everyone else.
I think the “punch” is more of an action of tearing a piece of paper since he is singing “tear themselves to pieces” at the time. So ever since the first watch, that action made sense. And all the joking afterwards I feel like is him being the slightly obsessed, salty ex they left and he wants to be in the front row to mock the downfall he thinks will happen. (Which I enjoyed but I may be in the minority).
Totally agree! I never saw it as a "punch" motion until MDP called it that here. I think the idea that he wants to be in the front row for the downfall and is cheering it on is spot on too!
Yes, I agree it’s like the 1700s version of gleefully watching your ex’s life implode on social media. 😂
Absolutely agree. If popcorn existed, KG would be eating some at this point.
I think that since this is the very last we see of the king, and considering that throughout the run, Jonathan and the other actors filling that role had made the King such an audience favorite, his eavesdropping and scene stealing for that intro was just kind of a gift to the audience. Especially when you consider the tone of the scenes that follow.
It was a soft goodbye to a crowd favorite, if you will. :)
I was lucky enough to see the original Groff performance and had him right in front of me while he was dancing on the stool. Now, does this make sense for the character? I don't know. However, I think it was definitely a deliberate choice and the lighting design gives that away.
I took the sudden giggles and the background dancing as alluding to the eventual “Madness of King George”
…and it’s funny lol
The King is carrying his scepter which is a totem of his right to rule - much like his crown. Neither is ever broken.
Re scepter, he’s a king, and there for “restrained.” There’s an air of regalia that must be blended in these performances because while he’s displaying the emotional and mental fraying, he’s also supposed to be in control. So breaking the scepter would belie that. The leadership must appear in control or the power vacuum starts up.
That's why in the other song her refers to "INSANE - you cheat with the French, now I'm fighting with France and with Spain". George III was mad.
😂 I doubt he’d have been capable of breaking his sceptre even if he wanted to - they’re pretty solid! Also extremely valuable
From the first King scene until the 3rd we see him physically and verbally begin to emote more. He goes from standing still and moving his shoulders on beat to giving more non verbal communication and dancing in his chair. I interpreted that as the frustration and other feelings causing him to become less poised along his path from possessive ex-boyfriend to a vindictive one. A display of him losing control and becoming unhinged.
I always felt like that ‘I wasn’t aware that something a person could do’ is a lightbulb moment that maybe there are more important things than power. A sort of foreshadowing of Hamilton’s realisation that being president is so unimportant compared to his son’s life and his wife’s love.
On the issue of the laugh and the dancing etc, I feel like it makes sense, because KG thinks the Americans are going to fall apart without Washington so he’s gleefully watching all the fighting and squabbling. It really plays up to the stereotype (that a lot of American’s still believe!) that the British are furious about American independence, and he’s joyously awaiting being able to say ‘I told you so!’ and get them back.
Oh, also here is Michael Jibson’s KG in London if you want to see a different take. I really like his loooooong pause after the whisper in his ear. That feels very British for some reason.
m.ruclips.net/video/3RR47ije-7M/видео.html
Yea I dont think thats just limited to American independence, not so sure the Crown loves ANY country's departure from the commonwealth. The Royals didnt go to Jamaica recently for a random holiday... :)
@@MarcDanielPatrick That is absolutely true. They are desperately clinging on..lol
Jonathan 100% did that dance to break Leslie's character 😂 he's all serious about it until he sees him dancing then he cracke a big smile
I took that line as “I didn’t know it was an option to quit and leave”- so that he might be tired of ruling. But then I was also thinking it could be that he was saying “why would anyone want to give up!?”
I live in Rio de Janeiro and two weeks ago I was in New York to visit my youngest daughter (19) who is studying Theater at Fordham. We went to see Hamilton and I was blown away by the play. I've already tried to find words that, combined, could describe it, but in the end I conclude that it is an impossible task. Since then I have been searching and digesting everything on the internet about the musical, and I am delighted with the intelligent and gentle way in which you present your point of view on the various performances. Great! I'm already following you. Greetings from Rio.
Ahh thanks so much! I've always wanted to visit Brazil.
Scepter! As always, love your commentary! 💖
Got it! Thank you! :)
I think George III deserves his own musical, and of course Jonathan Groff is the man
The king went mad crazy that's why it was that type of giggle.
Every time I’ve watched it I have taken that last part as the King not actually being “in” the show but more of an “observer”. Like you said about his giggle, something he could only do in private. So when he sat on the stool to “watch what happened next” he was still “alone, in private” so he COULD be giddy. However it was intended, we LOVE IT!! As for us (me and my daughter) our debates around most of what he did have always been “was that written and directed that way or was it Jonathan”? BRILLIANT doesn’t even come close to describing him, or the rest of the cast! ❤️
Yesssss to more Hamilton!
I think the emotion at the end resembles how he doesn’t really bother anymore, since the king was so confident they were gonna return to him. He probably was just enjoying himself watching as the colonies would “fall apart”.
I took the "didn't know it was something a person could do" in the sense of King G III is royalty and couldn't really give up his power even if he wanted to. But I like the other interpretations you brought up, MDP!
Marc - there is out in the Internet a sort of hidden recording of an earlier test screening with the original cast. Now as an attorney, I would never suggest that anyone seek out or a few this illicit recording, but if it were to be viewed, it may answer some of your questions here. For example, I believe Jonathan does the same dance in those early shows as you saw here during burrs section. It looks to be a deliberate character choice; I think design to show the king petulantly and almost in a childlike fashion enjoying the drama as it unfolds. Recall also, the king returns for a fun little dance in “ The Reynolds pamphlet “
How do you find that recording?
@@practicallyperfect2941 I'm sure I wouldn't know, being a very up-and-up sort of guy! But I will say also, perhaps of interest to Marc ... I think Lin's acting in this earlier test show was actually better than his acting in the Disney+ version.
Hmm, perhaps i'll have to search for it a little.
I have always taken the line to mean like "wait, what, you can do that?" Also, I really don't know anything about music, but every time he hits "fall", I get all mushy. What is the note? Musical humans I am begging. Lol.
I always interpreted it as though he didn't know that's something that could be done. Just the way that he says it. Also, in case no one else said it, it's a scepter and not something that is disposable. Very important to a ruling king.
"I wasn't aware that was something a person could do". The monarchy and being king or queen is by birthright and as Queen Elizabeth the II showed, she was the ruling monarch for more than 50 years until her death. Usually death is the only way a monarch is replaced, or by war which ultimately resulted in their death (beheading or some other torture).
Missed these theatre reviews! I watch these with my Uncle whenever he’s around for a visit. Going to see a show together is our thing 😊 Thanks!
awww, thats so sweet. Love it.
I've gone through a few of the comments and so far no one has mentioned something that informs my view on what the King means when he says that he "wasn't aware that was something that someone could do".
Historically, when George was first told that Washington was stepping down voluntarily- neither leaving from violence or its threat; nor being defeated for the role; not even abdicating in favor of a son or from poor health - but leaving at the height of his power because he wanted to and it was time? At that time, this was almost unheard of...except for one man, in all the history of the West, a man in Ancient Rome called Cincinnatus. This Roman farmer was called to be the temporary "dictator " of Rome during a crisis, on two separate occasions. Both times, as soon as the crisis was over, he turned control back to the Senate ( and by extension, the people) and went back to his farm. For over two thousand plus years, no one else has done this ( and the ones who said they would lied). Every educated person knew the story, and Cincinnatus was universally revered as a hero.
So when King George heard that the first promised peaceful transfer of power back to the people to choose a new leader in 2000+ years was about to go down, George said, "if Washington does this, he will be the greatest man in the world."
So to me, it's clear.... George wasn't sure it could even be done, because from the earliest days of old Rome to the "modern era", no one had managed the trick, to the point it seemed about as hard as casting the Ring of Power into the fires of Mount Doom. It was awe, wonder, and for the current play, a little bit of 'what are you, nuts??!!'
King George III actually commented directly after the British surrendered that if Washingtron relinquished his power that he (Washington) would be the greatest man who ever lived. The King assumed that Washington would immediately set himself up as a sort of king .
I always assumed he was saying "you can step down? I would have done that had I known" But I also love how he changes his body language when he says the lines "I'm perplexed... are they going to keep on..." he drops his formal walk and is almost like a little kid saying "I don't get it!". so funny.
Very interesting vide0. Love the song, the performance and the review.
As requesting, here are my thoughts on what you mentioned in the video (sorry if this is too long):
1) I think the reason why King George doesn’t follow Washington upstage is like the saying ‘two ships in the knight’ briefly connecting and then separating…essentially these are two historical figures that are interacting at a distance in history and for a brief period-of-time, relatively. King George only every got the news after the fact and after some time had passed, so he’s never closely connected to the details of what is happening in America, he only ever sees the greater/broader picture…the after effect.
2) Regarding the lines ‘Is that true? I wasn’t aware that was something a person could do’, I think this speaks to King George only ever having the context of living in a Monarchy…he doesn’t understand at all the concept of democracy. This is a real question for him and I think one that he will never understand the concept of. He will never understand giving up ‘your power’ as he is brought up total indoctrinated that this is his divine (godly given) role in the world…he didn’t choose it. It is his identity from birth to death. From his point of view Washington would be like a ‘king’ of America and therefore could never give up his role. That is why I think Jonathan also puts ‘country’ in inverted commas as the King has only lived in a kingdom, not a declared by the people…country.
3) When he finds out its John Adams, I think he is extremely gleeful at the prospect of America tearing themselves apart with John Adams’ leadership…as he is seen as a weaker leader vs Washington. This shows up when he is sitting gleefully ‘watching’ what is happening in America i.e. celebrating America’s internal strife, and so he gets his ‘revenge’ without having to do anything. I don’t think this direction is a gimmick because he could have easily left the stage, but he stays…it shows that the king is human can also have very petty characteristics. Also, he is still insane at this point, so his emotions are probably still very unstable…seen by his hysterical laugh and clapping before he sits down. Lastly, I think this direction is saying that no matter what type of governmental structure you have i.e. a monarchy vs democracy…it all boils down to the quality of your leadership that provides the foundation for that country’s direction/future.
4) Regarding the punch action, it’s an exaggerated ‘tear’ movement…like tearing paper in half to exaggerate the line ‘they will tear each other into pieces, Jesus Christ this will be fun’…in keeping with his insane volatile emotions, gleeful for the strife he foresees happening with John Adams weaker leadership.
5) Lastly King George would never break his Royal Sceptre as it’s his emblem or symbol of his ‘God-given’ power and authority. Kings and Queens cannot be crowned without the Royal Scepter. To break it would be equivalate of tearing up the Declaration of Independence. But I do think there is very interesting direction in how Jonathan walks onto stage dragging his sceptre at the start…this is at the point of him being truly ‘perplex’ at the prospect that you have limited power and choice in a democracy. That challenges his thinking about his God-given authority and power, represented by his sceptre. That maybe it is not in fact God-given but could be something else…man-made and therefore, there is also limitations and choice with his authority and power. Dragging his sceptre could mean he is floored by this idea.
I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did writing it up. Thanks
I always took it that KG didn't realize he could step down... until you said that you interpreted it differently... Love everything about this character and LMM's brilliance.
His expressions are awesome in this last segment. Sitting on the side of the stage part was just hilarious. Acts so British in dealing with Americans. I took the "a person could do" as no King would give up power. He thinks George Washington is nuts, and it creates chaos in the wake of constant change of leadership. I agree with you the best job in the world why leave?
"Acts so British in dealing with Americans"??? Oh please expand on that! :)
@@MarcDanielPatrick So my Mom's family is from and still in Scotland/England. The way they tolerate "us American's". His tone is exactly how I expected it to be. We annoy them to a certain extent. Hard to explain unless you have been there and the way my cousins pick on us annoying spoiled Americans. LOL. Love your Channel! Thank you!
I can answer that question about why the king makes that statement. It’s because in those days where feudalism, manorialism, and absolutism where globally ubiquitous, every single person, including the king of England, had a duty (i.e. purpose without choice). The U.S.A. was the first nation to operate on careers (i.e. purposes by choice) where by you could also decide to resign from them at a time of your own choosing. Thus, the king would have found that phenomenon to be a complete and utter novelty.
His little dance at the end was also in the original run If Im not mistaken. I think it matches him so well considering he was nuts. They way his emotions change just like that? It is just so well planned.
I absolutely agree with a lot of the comments that have been made. Jonathan Goff is absolutely a genius when playing King George, Jonathan Goff has planned every move every waking second of this portrayal. Every move is planned every wave of the sector/staff is planned and thought out. Just as when he enters. 4:09 this scene. It’s almost as if he is childlike, caring his Blinky and it dragging on the floor or carrying his teddy bear and it drags the floor. There’s a sense of immaturity and madness in this portrayal of King George. You honestly get a childish portrayal from some of the actions and the immaturity of the ruling class. It’s about what I want and what I think and it’s all about me is what you get and glean from a lot of king George’s time on stage and it’s absolutely fantastic and brilliant every time I watch it.
I think at the end where he is sitting there dancing in his chair - which I have viewed numerous times is more interesting than I originally thought. We are watching 2 separate scenes simultaneously. 1 is George delightfully contemplating the chaos of change of power he believes will occur from his castle. The other is the actual contemplation of the ppl who are putting this in place for the very first time with all the hopes & misgivings they may have if this is not done correctly.
The crazy laugh suits the character well. There was a good reason why King George III was also known as 'the mad king'. (Not to be confused with King Aerys II Targaryen from game of thrones)
I think that last moment by Groff highlights the stark difference between both the two countries, and also the two styles of music.
Yaaa, I think the whole thing was perfect, and everything fit.
When he was watching the juicy drama unfold, I imagined that was more his inner self. After all, he was in stage at the same time with the Americans. So it's not like he was really literally there. But we've all got inner emotions. He was eating. It. Up
"Is that true? I didn't know that was something a person could do." The meaning of that is actually very certain if you know the history of Cincinnatus and the example he set for Washington. What he's really saying is, "Are you serious? I didn't know voluntarily giving up power was something any man was capable of doing, because no one [besides Cincinnatus, famously] has ever done so." This song takes place at the end of Washington's administration, but it echoes an actual comment by King George III at the end of the Revolutionary War when told that Washington was resigning his commission as Commander in Chief and returning to private life on his plantation. George III famously replied, "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world", in awe of Washington quitting while he was ahead rather than letting people make him king. Washington also famously said, "I didn't overthrow George III [of the UK] to become George I [of the USA]".
my personal take on him not leaving the stage at the end is to make a sharp contrast to his abrupt exit from "what comes next". he's always left after his song but the viewer is now intrigued because he's staying and he's giving a side of the king that we haven't seen. he's being extra in his reactions to what burr is saying. you're torn between watching what he's doing or listening to what burr is saying. then he stops and just sits which makes you focus back into burr, which almost immediately leads to the jarring book drop moment. it really snaps you back into the drama more effectively, in my opinion, than had king george just left after initially sitting.
Hi Marc, it's me again requesting a comment on one of the Filipina singers, Rachel Ann Go, who sang at UK's Hamilton for a season.
Thanks and God bless!
Ahh, Jonathan Groff on stage *Chefs kiss 🤩
I'd love to see you do a video on some songs from Sunday In The Park With George, with Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin!
1) Scepter?
2) I think one of the King George videos is missing from your Ham playlist.
3) A look at what the king does next would be interesting. He tries out some more dance moves.
I think it's the KG version of what Burr is saying. Burr is ranting about X, Y, Z, and so on that Hamilton is doing during the administration John Adams oversaw and KG is delighted in his madness hearing about the discord between two major factions. That's how I took it at least.
It really isn't up for interpretation considering that King George III almost abdicated (more than once), but came closest in 1782/83. The abdication letter was released not long ago.
Regarding breaking the scepter, as a symbol of his power, he would never want to destroy such an important thing.
As far as the "I wasn't aware" line, thank you for bringing up a possible different meaning. I only thought the King would never want to relinquish control, since being raised in the Monarchy, it wouldn't occur to him that anyone would want to give up ruling a "Country".
At the end, I agree with those that noted the progression into madness. I don't think he was distracting. It signified him observing the struggles from afar, finding joy in it.
from what I read and I saw all the people loved the dance lol
The dance at the end signifies the melding of the hip-hop style of the show and the “unhip” King George character. That’s the way I see his intrusion into the style of music and performance in the former colonies at this point of the play. He reappears later to do an intentionally still render ion of a hip-hop dance that I think brings a similar crossing of the pond and the two performance styles. Or at least that’s my interpretation and why I didn’t hate him doing his little dances. But overall, I agree with you that Jonathan Groff’s performance in Hamilton is absolutely amazing in so many ways. And dude has some pipes!
I took the little dance as a ad lib. Because if you listen Leslie has a slight giggle to his voice
Sheds light on the William and Harry saga and William’s thinking. The BRF was not aware that was something a person could do. Harry stepped back. They gave him a year to come back. He’s not going back, and they don’t comprehend.
The king will never break his septor. It’s a symbol of his power.
Binge watching Hamilton reactions.
First, I really appreciated the trilogy of videos, so great to examine Jonathan Groff's awesome portrayal of George III in Hamilton. I believe the giddiness as he's watching things play out from the side of the stage is a bit of a nod to the madness of King George that has been subtly alluded to throughout his appearances. If anything, I think it's the culmination, like saying, "oh yeah, here it is, the King has finally lost it..." That's always been my take on that part of the performance.
IMHO, King George’s ‘giddy’ reaction when Burr entered the set was apropos. Remember, Washington was the vanquisher, and King George had to feel embarrassed when he was around the first US President for that very reason. Now, Washington was stepping away, and “that little man” was stepping into the role. I saw King George’s reaction as saying, “I’m really looking forward to sticking around and watching this guy (Adams) fail. Just my $.02. I too love every minute of the play, and am very happy to have found your RUclips channel to get a professional’s take.
I saw that last moment as him finally loosing the plot like he did in real life. That’s him being his strange nutty self
I would love to see a reaction to anything from Hadestown. I don’t know how much is available but Eva Noblezada’s Flowers is heart wrenching
This character of George III, is defined in these 3 songs. Very well written, to bring out the a stark difference between what was being part of the British Empire & what is now an independent / separation of state. In particular with "I know him", how George III is bearing his weight over Washington's decision to say "no more" to a 3rd term.
G III was flabbergasted about how a person or hierarchy, could give up power at the drop of a hat ("What a strange thing to do"). And the words & emotion of the song nails the complexity of a person, who is so jealous of someone who's moved on & can't wait for them to fail.
Personally I interpreted that giggle at the end and the reaction to Burr as more indications of King George going mad and losing. His mind and impulse control🤷♀️👍🏻
Hi, Marc. Truly enjoy all your comments!
Not a music major, but a lit major here, so... here's the reason the King would never have broken the sceptre (staff) in half during this scene: it's not only the symbol of his (remaining) royal power, but also of his manhood - which is just one reason he 'whips' it out in his earlier song, when he's reminding everyone about the subjects he wishes to have 'at hand.' And after being emasculated at the hands of the Revolutionaries, there's no way he's snapping in two whatever he has remaining... especially since the new "country" has already snapped his empire in two, away from his control, without his consent. With his power, empire, sovereignty, and sanity slipping away, you better bet he's left holding on to... whatever he can, so to speak : )
The monarchy in the UK is all about duty for life not term, from which there should be no shirking. It was only until Edward 8th in 1936 that the first and only abdication of a reigning British monarch occurred. So in the reign of George 3rd there was literally no precedent for, or expectation of, a state leader resigning office. To George 3rd it would have seemed a totally novel concept
Yup - as others point out, long after he became unfit to rule, George still had to remain the titular King until he died, while "Prinny" (the eventual George IV) did the actual ruling. The burden of kingship has been an enduring theme: "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown" and all that. For JG, the weight of his crown literally dictated some of his manoevres, and I think that concept influenced his reading here. George is both perplexed and a little envious.
The way Groff punches the word “person” always meant to me that King George sees himself as divine and not a mere human (the British monarchs believe themselves to be ordained by God). So when Groff emphasized that word, “person”, what he’s relaying is that King George is poking fun at this upstart country with leaders not ordained by God. They’re mere mortals; he’s a god.
he's doing a "tearing motion" but the camera cut kinda takes away from it. still in the side view camera, he brings his hands together into fists and it cuts away into what you saw as a "punching motion" from the front camera. but his right hand very, very briefly can be seen moving backwards just as the camera cuts to the front view and he "punches" forward with his left hand. it's easier to see if you watch the top of his staff RIGHT before the cut. it does a violent lurch backwards.
Scepter!!
I think the way that he was playing King George was the frustration of the war happening, like scolding a child, and then watching it all happen. "I wasn't aware that was something someone could do" i think reflects on the fact that back overseas at that time that power was inherited by blood and it was very rarely tossed away or shrugged off by those that were in power so it is a foreign concept to him. I don't think that there was ever a moment of 'well I want to do that too' but more of a 'but why?'.
For the last little bit, the laugh and the dancing on the sidelines, I really believe that is more to the belief that the King, mad as he was, was finding a perverse pleasure in the struggles of the birthed nation, thinking that he could scoop in after it all collapsed and bring it all back to him once more.
I'd still love for you to check out Collabro on here. Their Les Mis auditions and truly whatever else you end up finding should be right up your alley
6:57 I think my first time hearing it, I thought he was genuinely finding something out in real time, like, for that day and age, a king was a role/job just like a black smith, and a black smith wouldn't just "quit" being a black smith - that would be crazy lol so I just thought he was voicing what everyone at that time was thinking because it had never been done before. On my second watch, I felt like he was adding a little "curiosity" to it, like, the past few years warring with everyone was bs for him and yeah if he could just "quit" and run around his palace for fun, he would lol
Breaking that staff would have represented relinquishing power. The action of breaking a staff in literary tropes indicates taking that person's power. King George III was very convinced that his right as king was god given and holy as well as secular.
Also, during this time King George was in the throes of his mental illness. Completely representative of who he was at that point in history.
The end there, he did literally just say that this will be fun.
Combined with his growing madness...
As to the line, I think two things: 1) That he has no idea someone could give up their power, which is how I always interpreted his meaning…but after considering further, I also think 2) This was the beginning of a democratic government: he might truly not have understood the concept of administration terms and elections. The world then was all about monarchies and empires. This was new.
You seem to have your own version of his part for you to do it but. No no no he did it perfectly for him. ✨
Historically, when KG III found out Washington was relinquishing power, he was reported to have said that 'will make him the greatest man in the world'
There's the background on the line
Lin Manuel is historically accurate. So, there is a good place to start
King George III: Are they going to keep on replacing whoever's in charge?
America: *sweats nervously*
What would be made this segment better was if after he asked who was gonna rule after Washington. There would he some of the background dancers standing on the top ledge who faintly yell "John Adams!" To which he says "pardon?" Which would probably who would probably cause a chain reaction where people in the audience yell "JOHN ADAMS!!"
Haha turn this into a full on Rocky Horror style show?? That what you going for?