One of my favourite writing details in this is the fact that in the end, Hamilton throws away his shot and Burr does not wait for it. They both betray their base characteristics. Anyway, Eliza's gasp at the end is commonly interpreted to be her seeing the audience, and finally being at peace with the knowledge that Hamilton's story was told.
Yeah, there are a lot of different theories to the gasp. A few that I know are: 1. Eliza realizes that Hamilton’s story is getting told 2. Eliza realizes that her story is getting told 3. Eliza realizes that there’s an audience willing to watch everyone’s stories get told 4. It was Eliza’s final breath 5. Eliza finally saw her family again in heaven, and it was a gasp of happiness after reunion Lin Manuel Miranda stated that it’s actually up to Eliza to decide what it should mean, so the meaning differs between different casts/different Elizas.
Burr’s post-duel life is worthy of another musical, with him continuing to play the villain. Fun fact, when his second wife sued him for divorce, she hired one of Hamilton’s sons to represent her in court!
Alexander Hamilton Jr. who was said to be the spitting image of his father to the point that when Lafayette saw him, he thought he saw a ghost. And the day of court where Hamilton Jr. absolutely reamed him for all he's worth? Burr died shortly after leaving the court that day. So you could say that Alexander Hamilton Jr. talked Burr to death. Like his father would've wanted xD
Fun fact: The actress that always "holds" the bullet during Hamilton's final lines is basically an omen of death in the show. She was the first person we show die when King George III appears. If you rewatch the show she always interacts with the people that die in the next scene. The actress that plays The Bullet is Ariana DeBose who was in the 2021 version of West Side Story and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actresses.
@@godabandonedthistimeline I’ve rewatched that show from start to finish more times than I care to admit. Alan Cumming, Aaron Tveit, it’s literally a cavalcade of Broadway stars and Broadway dancers.
about the gasp at the end: it's never been "officially" explained, as each actress who plays Eliza is allowed to interpret it differently. However, I think it is commonly thought to be seen as this: the show is told by storytellers. This is made pretty clear from the opening song where they are all in white and explaining who Hamilton is. By the finale, they are all back in white and wrapping up the story and Eliza, who is still in her blue dress, is escorted to the front of the stage and "shown" the audience and the story that was just told - furthering the narrative and their legacy. But like you said! It could be her death. It could be her seeing Hamilton again once she dies. It's very much up to interpretation. This was a great surprise upload! Happy you enjoyed it!
Best part is that what those people say in the opening number also has double meaning. “We fought with him” is Lafy and Mulligan as well as Jefferson and Madison depending on how you define “with”. “I died for him” is both Laurence and Phillip.
My take on the last song: Who lives: Burr, who is the narrator during the play Who dies: Hamilton, the character the story follows Who tells the story: Eliza, who is the "Hamilton" who tells it to history
Absolutely! If you look at the last song too only four people wear colour, you were pretty close but you forgot someone. Burr lives, Hamilton dies, and Eliza/Angelica tell the story. No one else on stage wears colour other than them during that song! :)
He won the Tony for best lead for this (over LMM) Davied Digs & Renée Elise Goldsberry each won best featured performers. LMM got the Tony for best Book (Theater speak for the non-song parts of the story) & best Score (Theater speak for the music & lyrics)
The thing about Washington stepping down is that it set a precedent. It cemented the Idea about the peacful transition of power and that that is even a possibilty. And especially in these times, when there are people who are willing to challenge that, I think it is good to rememeber where it came from
Also worth pointing out since he wasn't sure that we didn't have term limits at the time on President. Washington could have kept running and winning until his death but knew we needed to set this precedent because otherwise when he died no one would have been able to step into those shoes. Term limits didn't become a thing until after FDR won 4 straight terms.
The weird energy of George III is intentional, for comedy effect, and a bit of a historical shorthand, as George III was becoming increasingly mad through his life, known for doing a bit of foaming at the mouth when he got emotional.
Nah, Alexander and Angelica didn’t fool around. In history they were just very close, but in the play there were attracted to each other, but didn’t do anything about it.
A couple of really cool points: -Eliza is the only character who intentionally doesn’t rap because she lived to be over 90 years old. Hamilton died in his early 40s, so he was running out of time, but all Eliza had was time. -Burr and Hamilton’s blocking mirror each other. At the beginning, Burr walks in straight lines while Hamilton walks in arch’s, but in the later half, Burr starts moving in more curves arch’s while Hamilton starts moving in straighter lines. - in the last song Burr, Hamiltonand Eliza (plus Angelica) are the only ones not wearing white because they are, respectively, who lives (Burr), who dies (Hamilton), who tells your story (Eliza and Angelica). I know there are more, but I can’t think of them right now. But Hamilton is amazing!!!!
Because I love this musical more than words can express, I'll keep this comment brief, otherwise you'd be scrolling for hours just to read everything I think Lin did perfectly. Renee Elise Goldsberry, the actress who plays Angelica, was apparently the only member of the entire cast to never make a mistake while rehearsing. Also, her main song, Satisfied, is sometimes referred to as "How to win a Tony in 6 minutes". Lin also said he doesn't believe he will ever write a better song than Satisfied. Again, adore this musical, I think it's an absolute magnum opus. Loved your reaction! It's so good to see someone who understands just *how* good what they're watching is. Hope to see more musical content in the future! And don't worry about having to cut songs, most musical theatre nerds are able to recite every line in a show without even looking at the screen hahaha!
The writing is very clever. In the opening song we have Lafayette/Jefferson and Mulligan/Maddison saying the line "We, fought with him" because their characters in Act 1 were fighting alongside Hamilton and in Act 2 they were fighting against him. Then we have Laurance/Philip say the line "Me, I died for him" something that both characters did. And of course we have Peggy/Maria along with the Angelica and Elisa say "Me, I loved him" because Peggy loved him as a brother and Maria as a lover
Okay so there is no real evidence that Alexander and Angelica ever actually had an affair. Based on their letters it was more so a brother sister kind of relationship, they had similar senses of humor and would banter a lot but especially in Alexander’s letters you can see he respected her and would ask her for advice on politics because Angelica was incredibly intelligent. I believe she was actually married before Alexander and Eliza got together. He did however have an affair and Eliza did burn her letters so we don’t know how she responded to it. She didn’t want the public to be involved in their relationship which is understandable! Also, not so fun fact the reason Eliza was already dressed in black when Philip was dying is because I believe just a month before Peggy her other sister had passed and she was still in mourning so her husbands cheats, she looses her sister, and then her son all within maybe like three or so months.
Thank you, his assumption that he and Anjelica had an actual affair was so frustrating. Her feelings are tragic BECAUSE she never acts on them. This is why she is able to be there for and with her sister with a clear conscience the entire time.
You should find the clip of “one last time” sung at the White House, a few weeks before Obama left office. It’s ridiculously emotional. And the original Hamilton at the White House poetry jam when Lin sings the opening song on his own, when it was just a concept before he wrote the musical.
The original verison of Alexander Hamilton sung at the poetry reading at the White House drew a huge Laugh when he sang Alexander Hamilton - contrast that with years later that everytime he sings Alexander Hamilton it draws a massive ovation. That’s how impactful Hamilton has become.
OMG Lin Manuel was so nervous when they performed this in front of the king's descendants but they loved it hahaha I'm not sure about the others but Groff, the guy playing the King, is a professional broadway performer, and yes he spits alot when he performs lol. He said in an interview he just gets so into it that he forgets to swallow
Can confirm. I sat on stage when I saw Spring Awakening and the spit went everywhere. It was gross, but if that’s what it takes for him to give these great performances then so be it lol
Also you've seen (or heard) Jonathan Groff before on your channel! He is Kristoff in Frozen! And Christopher Jackson as well, he was the singing voice for Moana's father!
As somebody who flew to New York to see this and is also a Hamilton cosplayer here are some of my favorite facts along with some information about stuff you mentioned (edit: this comment became really long, but I hope it's informational if you decide to read it): Thomas Jefferson's introduction song what'd I miss has the vibe it does because the musical style is that which predates rap, showing that he is older than the rest of the characters. In the first song, when all the characters state their relationship to Hamilton, They all have double meanings. Lafayette and Jefferson are played by the same actor who says that he fights with Hamilton, same goes for the actor who plays both Mulligan and Madison. The actor of both Laurens and Phillip say they die for Hamilton, Eliza and Angelica state They loved him, alongside the actress who plays both Peggy and Maria Reynolds. Washington dips his head down in who lives who dies who tells your story when Eliza mentions slavery as a nod to the fact he owned slaves. In some of the scenes, a woman from the ensemble can be seen with her hands mimicking carrying a bullet. She's also assassinated by King George after you'll be back. She is the bullet, every character she touches dies. She is symbolic of death. Eliza uses real fire on stage to burn the letters. While Hamilton is historically accurate for the most part with only a few liberties, the biggest one is definitely his relationship with his wife's sister Angelica. The two of them did not have any relations in real life. The addition of a bit of romance between them was for the musical. Historically, it was far more likely Hamilton had a relationship with John Laurens than with Angelica as the two men sent many letters filled with innuendo, one of which was partially destroyed by Hamilton's son in an attempt to stop something from getting out. In the Reynolds pamphlet, the papers they throw actually have parts of the Reynolds pamphlet written on them. Alexander Hamilton was going to be removed from the $10 bill but wasn't because of the popularity of the musical Hamilton when it debuted around the same time. Maria Reynolds convinces Hamilton to stay by saying she is helpless, helpless is commonly used as a callback in the show by Hamilton's wife Eliza. The song containing their wedding is literally called helpless. The line "uh, france?" Was improvised by Jefferson actor Daveed Diggs. "If you stand for nothing, what will you fall for?" Is paraphrased by Hamilton in the show. This is actually a quote by a different guy named Alexander Hamilton that is often misattributed to the Alexander Hamilton of the musical. Lin put it in there as a little joke. When Philip is dying, you can hear a heartbeat in the background that stops suddenly when he dies. When he talks with his mother in that scene he says he's sorry for forgetting what she taught him, referencing when they were counting together earlier. He thinks he miscounted when really he was shot on 7, too early. In real life, both parties in that duel raised their guns to the sky but Phillips opponent had a very ill timed seizure causing him to shoot after he lowered his gun, killing Philip. Hamilton was also killed by accident. Aaron Burr mentions in the musical that he is a bad shot which is true. He meant to shoot Hamilton but nothing fatal, he was just such a bad shot that he accidentally shot him right between the ribs. When Jefferson asks Hamilton what he thinks will happen if he taxed their whiskey it's referencing the whiskey rebellion. Alexander Hamilton imposed a whiskey tax that went over very poorly and was later repealed by Jefferson when he became president. When King George III mentions talking with John Adams in '85 It was actually two to make peace with America. The king explained himself and requested that Britain be one of the first countries to have peaceful relations with the United States as their own independent country. King George is often portrayed as a tyrant but he was not. Maria Reynolds eventually got divorced from her abuse of husband, and their divorce lawyer was Aaron Burr. To answer your question about the actors and whether they were trained to rap or to sing first, it really depends. Some of the actors had previous theater experience, and they are all vocally amazing. Daveed Diggs, if you couldn't tell by guns and ships, is a rapper first. He was actually very uncomfortable singing in this show at first. He belongs to the rap group freestyle love supreme with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Chris Jackson (Washington). To add to that Daveed was also not known for his dancing. He couldn't follow the choreo he was given so the choreographer just told him to go up there and do something. Hence the weird dancing in What'd I Miss. Also regarding casting something important to note is that despite what it looks like, Hamilton does not cast colour blind. The fact all of the major roles except for the king and Samuel Seabury are played by actors of color is not a coincidence. It's very purposeful. There are easily hundreds of things I could tell you about this show that are hidden in the little details and easy to miss. After watching it a dozen times, twice live, and listening to it a couple hundred times I still find things out. There's an entire companion book with little notes from Lin-Manuel Miranda on specific lyrics and choices. Disliking Lin as Hamilton is a very common gripe. A lot of people don't like his voice and he is often bullied for it despite the fact he is a well-trained singer, it's just what his voice sounds like. I think you're critique is totally valid. Something to consider though is that he is stage acting. All of his acting choices are purposefully over the top visually in a way that doesn't translate particularly well to a film because he is performing for the stage. He is very much acting in a way that looks good from 20 feet in the air and 30 feet back from the stage. Before I really got into theater I probably would have agreed with you but now as someone who's both had really good seats and had to sit really far back on occasion, I have such an appreciation for actors who over accentuate everything. But it does come across really weird on a camera close up. Anyways, I'm so glad you checked this out and enjoyed. Sorry that this comment kind of turned into an essay, I just really adore this show and It makes me so happy to see people get into Hamilton. Especially glad you liked the room where it happens, it's my absolute favorite.
I don't understand the music part with Jefferson. He wasn't older than every other character, Washington was 11 years older than him. Odd choice if that is why they did it. I thought they did it because he had been gone for a while and things had changed and moved on.
@@adventuresinlaurenland It was more to indicate a slightly outdated state of mind, just like "You'll Be Back" was in the style of a 60's Boy Band breakup song; he WAS being dumped by America, after all. Jefferson still had slaves despite campaigning for America's freedom, and even had an infamous affair with one (they mention her briefly- Sally Hemings). Each character had their signatures, more or less; Eliza never rapping but vocalizing, Angelica being able to bombast and rap fast, Washington always being slow and deliberate (you do not rush the General!), Laurens/Phillip having the most similar style to Alexander indicating how much they loved each other.
I appreciate your essay lol I learned a lot of little things I didn't know but instantly made sense. I saw the play during the U.S. Tour without Lin. The actor that played Hamilton was amazing so when I first saw the film version Lin did feel off on the singing however it works to separate him from the rest of cast (especially the more cultured ones) and showcases his character personality more. Says a lot that Lin would cast far better singers than himself.
Re: relationship between Hamilton and Laurens. At the time the story occurred, it was common for men and women to have close friends of the same sex, partly because the lives of men and those of women were very different and separate. They exchanged letters, often using words we think of as romantic or used only by couples in their correspondence. Hamilton and Laurens, and Hamilton and Angelica, were close friends, end of story.
@@NiaMeg look, I'm a history buff. I know how men used to talk to each other. The fact they exchanged letters and the terms they use are not the reasons This was a possibility. I'm not saying they had a sexual relationship, I'm just saying that a certain subgroup of historians believe it was a possibility. Trust me, I'm not one of those crazy people who will go on and on about how it was totally real and you can't say otherwise. Some of the "evidence" people present really is nothing. But a lot of The reason we say that that's just how men used to talk, even if a lot of it is because of that, is because historians for the past few hundred years have been steeped in homophobia. The idea that they couldn't have been in a relationship despite the fact there are indicators is a result of this erasive historical view that has permeated society for ages. I don't want to go on some sort of long rant about queer people in history, historical relationships, queer erasure from historical documentation... But it is there. Again, I would like it to be noted that as we were not there and do not know what happened, we can only look objectively at the evidence. I never said they did have a relationship, I said it was more likely than having a relationship with Angelica as that has no historical basis. I would also like to note I used to be the person who would respond to other people's thoughts on Hamilton and Laurens being in some form of relationship. I used to be the person who did what you've done in this comment section. Then I actually looked and learned about historical bias regarding queerness. I learned a lot from a lot of people and it's definitely helped me be able to look truly objectively. Because, trust me, the people who say that's just how men talk and leave it at that are not unbiased. Or at least the system that they've learned from isn't.
For me it is the “Eliza” and “orphanage” in the end. And the death auf Laurens, when she reads that the war was already over and his dream died with him.
The "book" in musical theatre is kinda like the script, it’s usually the narrative structure, plot, spoken dialogue and everything that links songs together, so like someone can write the "book" (the script) but not the score for example if that makes sense ?
The confusing end, and you didn't know why Eliza gasped. It's been explained that it's not Hamilton taking Eliza's hand at the end and walking her to the edge of the stage. It's Lin taking Eliza's hand to show her the audience watching them so she knows Hamilton's story was finally told (because the book about his life wasn't published until after she died). The gasp is meant to be her overwhelmed with joy and pride at knowing his story lived on.
@beckyvan-orden7540 I don't necessarily think so. I think it makes perfect sense that whoever is the one playing her husband and helping to tell that story (at that time) would be the right person to show Eliza it's being told. After all, Lin isn't the first person to tell Alexander Hamilton's story. Just who happens to be doing it now, and since he couldn't very well pull the book out on stage I think this was his way of giving that peace to Eliza. Because apparently she begged their sons for years to gather his writings and put together a story of his life. Which one or two of his children eventually did do, but she had already passed on by then, not having the chance to see it. Of course, this is all from a one interview recollection from years ago 🤷♂️
@@jasonmallard3371 oh I agree - it’s just that there have been others suggesting that it’s specifically Lin - as the writer of the musical - showing her the audience at that moment, so I thought that’s what you were also saying. Apologies!
If history class was like this musical I would have passed every class. Lin is a musical genius. Edit: Angelica and Alexander had more of a playful flirty relationship nothing else I believe she was already married when they met. Burr's daughter was named after her mother, she had a baby boy that died and she ended up lost at sea. I want to see Leslie (Burr) as a Disney villain his voice is just too good.
Apparently he might be cast as in the live action Frog Princess Movie as the Voodoo Man as Lin is doing this one like he did The Little Mermaid Live Action I just hope he does a better job.
Fun fact with the song "Dear Theodosia" where they're both talking about how some day their kids will blow us all away: Both real-life Phillip and Theodosia were "Blown away." Phillip was shot and died as a result. ("Blown away" by the bullet) Theodosia was on a boat that got lost at sea. The remains of the boat and people were never found. The boat she was on got "Blown away" by wind.
Which is extra tragic because, for all his many, many faults, Burr was far above and beyond dedicated to be the best father in his Century, giving Theodosia education and freedoms no women of her time had, and he truly, deeply venerated his daughter.
Hamilton is that rare thing with gigantic hype that lives up to it. "In the Heights" is great too, although the movie was done long enough after the play that Lin couldn't play the lead anymore.
Agreed. I'm not a huge musical theater fan. I like it fine, but have never really gravitated to it. I went into this one when it first dropped on Disney+ thinking I'd probably like it, but maybe not love it. I downloaded the soundtrack halfway through watching it because I loved it so much. It's fucking incredible. Also: I would *highly* recommend people checking out Weird Al's tribute, and then Lin Manuel's reaction to his tribute. Al specifically made his "parody" song so complicated that it wouldn't be easy to replicate, because if I recall, he didn't want to have to perform it all the time but wanted to pay his tribute to a show he just loved.
I love the part where Hamilton is debating the other guy near the beginning, and the writing is so that he is LITERALLY talking circles around his opponent. He's speaking in double time compared to the other guy, coming around every couple of lines so that they're on the same word/sound, but Hamilton has said twice as much.
So much internal assonance and vowel/sound mirroring, SO well done. Showing that Hamilton is not only faster, but flipping Seabury's own words against him in a mocking taunt. :D
This cleaned up at the Tony Awards (Broadway's version of the Oscars). Leslie Odom Jr. (Burr) won a Tony Award for Best Actor, and many people agree with you that it was Burr's story. Daveed Diggs (Lafayette and Jefferson) won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actor, and Renee Elise Goldsberry (Angelica) won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress. Lots of other folks were nominated and won, and some only lost because they were nominated opposite each other (Chris Jackson was nominated and lost to Daveed Diggs for example). It also won Tony Awards for best orchestrations and choreography, and the big one: Best Musical.
Long comment incoming: King George’s songs were absolutely meant to sound like breakup songs. And JGroff’s tendency to spit honestly fit in well with the whole “mad king George” thing 😂 Re presidential terms: Washington set the precedent for only serving 2 terms but the official amendment limiting it was added until after FDR (who died early in his 4th term). Eliza really did burn most/all of their personal letters, but she was also the driving force in preserving Hamilton’s historical legacy. Although if I remember correctly the show takes liberties about when/why she did, and it may have been done later (poss. even after his death). Burr is definitely the other main character of the show and it is very much centered around the ways their lives paralleled, diverged, and interweaved with each other. Lin and Leslie were both nominated for the Tony award for the lead actor role and Leslie was the (well-deserved) winner. ETA: You should check out “First Burn”. It’s an earlier draft of Eliza’s song Burn and it is a more fierce, angry take on her reaction and has some 🔥 lines.
A little explaination for the “Comma after dearest” moment “My dearest Angelica” means “you’re the dearest of all the Angelicas”, but “My dearest, Angelica” basically means she’s the dearest person to him, full stop.
Jefferson, Madison and Burr didn’t actually confront Hamilton about his indiscretions it was James Monroe and two House members (Abe Venable and Fred Muhlenberg) but Lin used creative license and changed it since Jefferson, Madison and Burr were already such big parts of the play. Most people wouldn’t know the actual three dudes except for maybe James Monroe since he later became President himself.
I went into this play blind knowing nothing. I was amazing by the performances but was trying to keep up with who was who and what was going on. I had no idea they would be rapping the whole time. During the intermission an older white couple in their 80s seated next to us told me they drove from 2 states over just see it for their 50th wedding anniversary. They knew the WHOLE soundtrack. I have work have worked specifically in rap music for 20 years so I found it delightful that they were schooling me.
It's just personal taste. I've watched the musical 4 or 5 times and I still prefer the harder hitting songs with more rap. I don't think he was being dismissive.
@@HungarycloudI felt the same about the songs, but not even Eliza's sad one? It was so strange he couldn't connect or feel empathy, same with that gut wrenching cry when their son died; I'm not saying he's a misogynistic pig; but these are the little red flags, the little things that remind us women how the patriarchy messed up men to the point a normal, good guy isn't used to feel what a woman is feeling to understand her, it doesn't even occur to him. It makes us sad and that can lead to anger and defensiveness. See, even though he loved Satisfied because it's a great song, he made no comment about how she must have felt, you know? It's not a coincidence when we see it all the time from most men.
@@isabellp.5730 she doesn't get to have her own/a name in his mind. Reminding us that someone recognizing your existence as a complex, independent human being is the first seemingly obvious step in being able to hear your story; who's listening is as important as who's telling it.
One of the most minute and genius character details in the whole play is during Thomas Jefferson's intro song "What'd I Miss". When he's coming down the steps, we see him interact with a background dancer who's black. As soon as that dancer moves away, he wipes his hand off on his coat like he just touched something filthy. It is arguably the smallest and most blink-and-you'll-miss-it detail in the whole movie, even moreso than the Bullet or Burr's own subtleties. And nothing else like it happens the entire show afterwards. The closest we get is Hamilton calling him out on his bullshit in the very next song, but other than that, there's no real overt insinuating as to Thomas Jefferson's racism. You can probably argue that him not touching or holding the letter that he read as the other black background dancer held it out to him is another sign of it, but that character was also the Bullet I believe, so he mlre or less gets a pass for that.
The world was wide enough is such a good song that was created from a simple quote. It was the only time Burr ever expressed remorse for what happened. Burr was asked by a friend about the duel, and he responded, "Had I read Sterne more and Voltaire less, I should have known the world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me." The fact Lin turned that into such a great song is a mark of his genius. Random fun fact, whenever asked about Hamilton after the duel, Burr would always refer to him as "My friend Mr Hamilton whom I shot."
Loved this reaction - your analysis at the end was particularly thoughtful and well argued. Don’t beat yourself up on not catching everything the first time through - it’s an incredibly dense piece with a huge amount going on + all the historical stuff. An analysis found that Hamilton has twice the words per minute of other musicals so you’ve really thrown yourself into the deep end here. This is part of the reason why us Hamilton nuts enjoy repeat visits/watchings - you always catch something new.
In my eyes, Eliza taking Alexanders hand represents her death. He leads her to the front of the stage, where she sees the audience and realizes their story has been told. It's sheer joy. All the pain and struggle led to a legacy with a captive audience.
Leslie Odom (Burr) is *fucking incredible* in this. I remember reading he was a little disappointed in his biggest solo being "The Room Where It Happened" because he didn't immediately connect to it, and only later realized how absurdly good that song is. I think it might be my favorite in the entire show, and he nails it.
No Hamilton did not have an affair with Angelica. Both Angelica and Eliza liked Hamilton, but Eliza was soooo in love , Angelica loves her sister, so much she gives him up to Eliza.,, after she does , she realizes she loves him too. Her song is about realizing how much she did love him, but she loves her sister more.
This is my best friends favourite musical, i designed one of her tattoos that had Burrs quote ‘I am the one thing in life I can control, I am inimitable i am an original’ in it one of my favourite things I’ve ever designed. Something I love about this musical is that Lin said he wanted to tell Americas history by what America is today hence the diversity of the cast and the use of hip hop instead of traditional broadway music, which I think is genius
You mentioned the end credit song. It's from the Hamilton Mixtape. Fantastic project with Busta, Nas, Alicia Keys, Kelli Clarkson, Common, Black Thought and a ton of others.
Great reaction and discussion! Re: your thoughts about Lin's performance - he himself has openly admitted that he doesn't consider himself to be the best dancer/singer/actor, but his philosophy is to surround himself with the very best people and focus on telling the story. So yeah, as brilliant as he is at writing music and lyrics, you're not alone in thinking he's not always quite as top-tier a performer as the rest of the cast. :)
Lin-MM has said that, based on the musicals he saw when he was growing up, the only way he would be cast in a musical was if he wrote a musical(s) himself. I think he writes fantastic musicals, and he can play any role he wants!
About Eliza's gasp at the end: the house lights go on in the theater, revealing the audience to Eliza. Thus the story ends with Eliza's question "will they tell your story?" answered: yes. And it's all because of her.
So glad you watched it again and that you got so much from it. I've always thought the framing and POV of the whole was always super neat and unexpected. For me, the show is ELIZABETH Hamilton's story OF her husband Alexander Hamilton but TOLD through Aaron Burr. It sort of just puts everything into perspective.
The stage turntable is definitely not a standard musical thing; the production designer created it specifically for this musical, and it is actually 2 turntables, the center one, and then an outer ring which can either move in the same direction as the center, or in the opposite way. It's ingenious, gives the performance so much dynamic movement, and can be used in incredibly subtle ways with cast members in the back loading pieces of scenery/props (desks, chairs, lamp posts, etc) onto the turntable so they can smoothly move into the foreground.
Washington served 2 terms and stepped down. Which basicslly is how it went for most presidents until FDR who was elected 4 times. After him the 22nd ammendment was added that formally limited them to 2 terms. Anyway in the US most of what we learn of Hamilton is that he died by a duel with Burr and he wrote the Federalist papers.
The situation between Hamilton and Angelica is a bit complicated. Historically, when they first met she was already married. There have been letters that show that they were close but nothing proves that they had an affair. In the musical, we see that Angelica had feelings for Hamilton but chose not to act on them for Elisa's sake. Hamilton wrote a letter to Angelica in which intentionally or not he referred to Angelica as his dearest. So they most likely didn't have an affair in the musical and we will never know for sure in real life.
The word play on the letter angelica recieved could have 2 meanings depending on if a comma is there or not, which obviously links to the fact that angelica and hamilton had some feels for each other. Eg. My dearest angelica - generic term used for signing off letters to firends or family My dearest, angelica - hints that angelica is hamiltons 'dearest' ( which is messed cause hamiltons dearest should be eliza )
I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned this, but Eliza's older sister and Alexander never had 'relations'. Eliza's sister realized that Eliza was smitten, so she never made a move.
this takes place in the late 1700’s. He didn’t do anything with Angelica irl or in the musical. satisfied was to show that angelica had feelings for him but gave up on him for her sister because she cared more about her sisters happiness & she had other responsibilities.
Hamilton and Angelica never had an affair but they were known to be intellectual soulmates. Angelica though was very loyal to her sister, sp she never lead him on
The only affair portrayed is between Maria Reynolds and Hamilton. Angelica did have feelings for him but she sacrificed being with him for the love of her sister and because she was the oldest she had to marry "up".
From one of the interviews, Lin started writing it as a mixed tape and invited some friends, including the production team from his Broadway hit In The Heights to a performance of the first 4 songs. He and his director noticed his choreographer doing little hand gestures in the seats so, when they got together afterwards, they asked each other "Is this a show?"... and the rest is history 😊 Edit:spelling
this is the first video I've ever watched of yours and was fully expecting an American guy when I clicked on this! Was thoroughly surprised to hear a familiar accent as a fellow Aussie :))))
Men are such odd creatures… no The song by Angelica was her longing for Alexander , they did not have affair… in the song she said she would never hurt her sister…
King George III was literally insane. At the time of the Revolution, he was still having enough lucid moments to remain in charge, but later (early 1800s), his oldest son was named Prince Regent because George III could no longer rule. When George III died, the Prince Regent became King George IV - but that happened long after the events in this show. :) The British didn't attack New York to "try to take over control". What later became the USA was originally the 13 colonies, owned by Great Britain. They already *had* control, but they wanted to put down the rebels who were causing trouble. "This lady is killing this." Yes, the woman who played Angelica got an Emmy for her performance. No, Alexander did not have an affair with Angelica. Angelica loved him, but gave him to Eliza. She didn't go back on that, but she longed for him the rest of her life, even after she got married to a British Loyalist and moved to London. No, Burr did not decide to kill Alexander nearly that early. LOL At the point you said that, they were on the same side, fighting against the British. They were still friendly. Washington made a mistake early in his career, and was cautious ever after not to make more. By this point, Washington wasn't useless, General Lee was. Lee was trying to save his own rep by blaming Washington for Lee's own mistakes. That's why Laurens called him out. Theodosia the elder died in childbirth. Burr is left to raise their daughter, also named Theodosia. Laurens' death was not a murder. Levi Weeks killed someone else, and Alexander and Burr were co-counsel to represent Weeks. The Federalist Papers are still used to teach Constitutional Law classes and interpret the Constitution today. The actor who played Laurens in Act 1 plays Phillip in Act 2. It's just a coincidence, they are not trying to imply that Phillip was Laurens' son. Also, the actor who played Lafayette in Act 1 plays Jefferson in act 2, the actor who played Mulligan in Act 1 plays Madison in Act 2, and the actress who played the youngest sister, Peggy, in Act 1, plays Maria Reynolds in Act 2. Yes, men were almost expected to keep a mistress - but they were expected to be discreet about it. He paid the blackmail to keep it quiet, but when challenged, he told everyone by writing it down and confessing it - without telling Eliza first, which nearly killed his marriage. Washington did serve 2 terms. Most presidents respected that as the limit without it being a formal thing, but Franklin Roosevelt served 3 terms and part of a 4th before dying in office. After his death, the 22nd Amendment was enacted which made the 2-term limit a formality. Alexander and Eliza had 8 children. After Phillip, their eldest child, died in the duel, they had another son and named him Phillip also. The "book" of the show is the script. Lin Manuel wrote the entire musical, with help on the musical arrangements from the guy who popped up at the very end, who also conducted the orchestra under the stage. The gasp at the end from Eliza is generally thought to be because she's been shown the audience (when she's walked to the front of the stage by Hamilton), and she realizes that the story has been told.
You should check out the Hamildrops.. they are songs that come from Hamilton that are performed with him & different singers and rappers. But the best is First Burn. It’s the way Burn was originally written, performed by the 5 women who played Eliza in New York,London & the touring companies. It is a whole different take n the song. Originally Eliza confronts Hamilton,while singing First Burn. But then Lin decided Eliza deserved the stage to herself. This was her moment… def check it out on RUclips
Absolutely love that you reacted to this! It was so good to revisit it! You asked if Burr is looked at as the villain and until this musical came out, I would say yes. I remember leaving this story in high school in the 90’s and I felt so bad for Hamilton. Now that I’m an adult, I look at it differently. Great reaction! ❤
My two favorite lines have to be 1: " if you stand for nothing what will you fall for" and " i will kill your friends and family to remind you of my love" Jonathan groff did an amazing job as king George
I've enjoyed your intelligent and observant reaction to Hamilton more than any other. I thought your lack of acquaintance with the history would lessen my appreciation, but you were quick to put things together. Very astute, thank you, quite pleased.
I absolutely love this show and I'm glad you watched it! I enjoy when people who don't really watch musicals or like musicals give them a chance because something special like Hamilton comes along. I have a few of these on Spotify lists just to randomly listen to. History is a lot even though the US isn't an old country lol - growing up in VA we had a lot of things absolutely drilled into our brains and this is just so much easier to understand. Sweeney Todd, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, or Les Mis may be good options for broadway-turned-movies as well.
I am late to the show. I adored this show on so many levels. It's genius. I was an American history major in university. I also am in the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) because of AH. But my biggest point of pride is when my non verbal autustic son did his 8th grade presentation to a edit he made of this. He included clips. Presented the supporting history points. He used his text to talk mostly but said a few words as he even danced a few moves. His class gave him a standing O. I will always tear up when this is on. Did I mention his name is Alexander Hamilton?
Lin himself knows and has acknowledged he is not the strongest singer but he loves performing and if you are going to create something amazing why not cast yourself in it. Pretty sure everyone would do the same in his shoes!
"The guy in the brown jacket" - Laurens is Anthony Ramos. Yes, he also plays Philip Hamilton. He also starred in the movie version of L-M Miranda's In The Heights and he played Lady Gaga's BFF in A Star Is Born. And the Crown Royal commercials. George III is played by Jonathan Groff, who plays Kristoff in Frozen, and been in multiple Broadway shows, TV, films. Daveed Diggs played Jefferson and Lafayette. He is probably the most versatile in terms of hip hop and rap of the leads. Diggs was also on Black-ish for a while, and in Snowpiercer. Yes, it is largely Aaron Burr's story, and Leslie Odom won the Tony. The book of a musical is the framework. There's not really much straight dialogue here but if there were that would be part of the book. The inspriration of the show is from a real book about Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. Eliza lives to age 97. And yes, LMM is the creator so he wasn't going to throw away his shot but the consensus by people who saw both LMM and his understudy and eventually successor Javier Munoz say Munoz played the part better.
It's amazing to see others from different countries learn about US history. I feel bad for not knowing much of yours. I know yall have fired a bunch of PMs recently, my brother lives in Oz around Brisbane with his wife and kids. He's supposed to be paying me a visit in October. Havent seen him in years.
You mention a few times that LMM was involved in Coco but I'm pretty sure he wasn't. However, he was involved in Moana, which is also amazing. If you watch it, listen to the voices... you'll recognize a couple of familiar ones.
I love the song "Dear Theodosia" where both Burr and Hamilton sing to their children. I think it shows that the characters really have deep similarities despite their differences. Both of them were considered devoted fathers. Hamilton made sure to take time to spend with his kids even when he was busy, and Burr doted on his daughter and made sure she got an education beyond what girls would have normally received at the time. They stayed close until Theodosia's death, which this song is kind of an omen for, along with Phillip's. When they sing "and you'll blow us all away" it is a precursor for Phillip getting shot and Theodosia died when the ship she travelled on to visit her father sank in a storm. Both of them "blown away" way too young. I think watching this show a couple of times and reading up on characters is definitely beneficial (for obsessed people, like me), as it helps you spot the little easter eggs and hidden gems that are very easy to miss the first time around.
At the point that Burr is singing Wait for it he is Not thinking about shooting Hamilton . He is talking about choices , and being calculated with those choices.
Daveed Diggs and Renee Elise Goldsberry both won Supporting acting Tony Awards. Leslie Odom Jr. Won the Tony for Best Actor. Lin was nominated for that category too. Both Christopher Jackson (Goeirge Washington), and Jonathan Groff (King George) also were nominated for Supporting Actor Tonys. Philippa Soo (Eliza) was nominated for Best Actress, but did not win. It rightfully won the Tony for Choreography and several other categories. It is amazing to see in the theatre.
You don't like women in the roles they were stuck in back them? Aaron Burr is hated in American history and no Eliza did not die for many years but women were not expected to remarry. They stayed widows. Hamilton was not considered very much until this musical came out. They were actually going to take Hamilton off the $10 bill but decided not to because of this play. No the play is not to make Burr look good. The name of the show is Hamilton. Burr did some other awful things besides killing Hamilton later in his life. Hamilton set up the financial system that is used around the world to this day. Brilliant man.
Aaron Burr had a thing for Theodosia Provost. She was married to a British soldier. He must have died because Burr later Married her. They were married in Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. In her family home. Gen.Washington at one point stayed there at that house while his troops rested about a mile away on a hill in Waldwick, N.J. (Orville Township until 1919) I know this because I was raised in Waldwick. The high school was built on that hill. Many artifacts were found there when digging the ground. The family home of Theodosia Provost is still standing, a landmark preserved by the N.J. Historical society. It's called "The Hermitage". It was also a stop along the way for the "underground railroad" (the route that Harriet Tubman took runaway slaves from the south to freedom in the north) . .The Hermitage, in Ho-Ho-Kus ( a Lenepe Indian tribe word) is in Bergen County in northern N.J. Bergen County is rich in early colonial and Revolutionary war times history. The place where the pistol duels occurred is also in Bergen County across the Hudson River from N.Y.City, up on the Palisades ( high rocky shoreline cliffs that run along northern N.J. ( as opposed to the sandy beaches of central and southern N.J. N.J. and N.Y. are 2 of the original 13 colonies. It was between N.J. and N.Y.City ( Manhattan Island) where the British Navy entered from the Atlantic Ocean into the Hudson River and travelled it up north along N.J and up along N.Y.State. We had the advantage of the further north the British sailed on the Hudeon, the higher the elevation was on land. So our troops were firing cannon balls down on them and there was nowhere for them to hide. Some of those cannons are still in place along the cliffs of the Hudson on land that is now The West Point Army Military Academy in N.Y. When Hamilton was living in N.Y.City, it was mostly rural farmland, not the hustling , bustling city that it became. Hamilton established the Treasury and banking system we have today. (Martha Washington's silverware was melted down to make the first coins) Washington is the one who established the system of a president only serves 2 terms. It wasn't a law until after F.D.Roosevelt served 3 terms. The idea was to never have one person (an authoritarian leader or a king) John Adams was the second pres. and Jefferson the third. Yes, Burr went down in history as the man who killed Alexander Hamilton. Lin Manuel Miranda picked up a book about Hamilton at an airport to read while on a flight.....and the idea of a musical was born. It took Lin years to write the story and songs. The whole thing is pure genius from the writing to the songs to the casting and costuming and minimal sets and rotating floor. Hamilton is a history lesson about someone who had so much to do with the founding of our country but didn't get the recognition he deserves. But now he has and so has his wife, Eliza. The entire story is told in song. This has never been done before. King George went mad after we dissolved our relationship with him. The actor who portrayed him did so to perfection, (spitting and all). Even though Hamilton is the main character in the story, Lin made sure that every other character topmost of the story and he legacy one of them shine in their roles. It wasn't written for Hamilton to be bigger than life. Watch Hamilton a couple more times. You will find new things each time, you will understand it better and recognize it for the masterpiece that it is. Your reaction was very good. I enjoyed watching you enjoy the experience.
One thing that i think gets very easily overlooked is how little choice Mariah reynolds had in anything in her life. It isn't clear from correspondences if she did or did not know that hr Husband would extort Hamilton, but either way: Either, Mr. Reynolds ditched her, leaving her completly in the Lurch, as he has all the power over any finances they have (At this point they have a young daughter Mariah needs to take care of as well) Or he pimped her out to which she di not really have any recourse. Divorce, while technically allowed almost never got granted for a female partinioner and even if it went through, same deal as before: She doesn't have any finances of her own. So, either she just followed her Husbands orders, OR she did the only work that a married woman with Child would be able to fairly freely do, Prostitution. She got herself a well off, mostly kind patron who from what we read in their letters seems to have at thevery least treated her better then her Husband. In her eyes, she could do worse. She also had no say in the publication of the Reynolds Pamphlet. The Musical shows how terrible this must have been for Eliza, but also imagine Mariah. SUddenly, everyone knows that she has been 'sleeping around', her husband sure as shit won't stick up for her and even if people shake their heads at him for his part in this you can bet your ass _she_ is going to get the brunt of the spite
I love that you have finally explored the world of musical theatre! As a theatre nerd myself it’s fun to see people appreciate what I has such a love for. Other musical suggestions from me would be Come From Away (on AppleTv) and Little Shop of Horrors movie (1986). If you do Little Shop I would suggest either reacting to both endings or just the directors cut version (it’s my favorite).
I know I’m late to the party. This was excellent to see live by the way. I took my niece to see the Chicago cast perform this. As for the end when Eliza does the little gasping cry and it fades to black… it is representative of when she passed and saw her sister, Philip, and Alexander again. She was overwhelmed with emotion in the moment. But it is a little button on the end to give it a bittersweet happy ending. I know you seemed to have gotten it when you did your closing comments, but many people seem to be a bit confused by this part so I thought I’d clarify more.
Adding to what others have said about the gasp at the end. I like the thought that the story can actually be seen as Eliza's story. Her story, along with Alexander's, is finally being told to the same level that George Washington's or Thomas Jefferson's have been. The show is, after all, called "Hamilton", not "Alexander" or "Alexander Hamilton". It's as much Eliza's doing as Alexander's that we get to hear it.
Miguel Cervantes played Hamilton in Chicago for 3+ years and, to me, he is the best Hamilton. My wife and I had tickets to the last show in Chicago but my son decided to be born 2 months early so we missed it, so we didn't get to see Miguel's farewell performance.
One of my favourite writing details in this is the fact that in the end, Hamilton throws away his shot and Burr does not wait for it. They both betray their base characteristics.
Anyway, Eliza's gasp at the end is commonly interpreted to be her seeing the audience, and finally being at peace with the knowledge that Hamilton's story was told.
Wow great point, Hamilton definitely throws away his shot and Burr does hesitate at all. Man i love this movie/show/performance
It's amazing to see others from different countries learn about our history.
i see it more as her now knowing HER story was told
I think it was more her noticing it wasn't actually about Alexander Hamilton but herself Eliza Hamilton. Her story was told
Yeah, there are a lot of different theories to the gasp. A few that I know are:
1. Eliza realizes that Hamilton’s story is getting told
2. Eliza realizes that her story is getting told
3. Eliza realizes that there’s an audience willing to watch everyone’s stories get told
4. It was Eliza’s final breath
5. Eliza finally saw her family again in heaven, and it was a gasp of happiness after reunion
Lin Manuel Miranda stated that it’s actually up to Eliza to decide what it should mean, so the meaning differs between different casts/different Elizas.
Burr’s post-duel life is worthy of another musical, with him continuing to play the villain. Fun fact, when his second wife sued him for divorce, she hired one of Hamilton’s sons to represent her in court!
Alexander Hamilton Jr. who was said to be the spitting image of his father to the point that when Lafayette saw him, he thought he saw a ghost. And the day of court where Hamilton Jr. absolutely reamed him for all he's worth? Burr died shortly after leaving the court that day. So you could say that Alexander Hamilton Jr. talked Burr to death. Like his father would've wanted xD
Perfection at its finest@@margaretconnor5623
Man thats wild, what a full circle moment. Lafayette man, lafayette :(@@margaretconnor5623
ruclips.net/video/sD2lk1_wvJE/видео.html&ab_channel=TwistedMindsTheater
Also of note that post duel Burr’s only child, his daughter that was sung about died along with her only child with Burr outliving them both.
Fun fact: The actress that always "holds" the bullet during Hamilton's final lines is basically an omen of death in the show. She was the first person we show die when King George III appears. If you rewatch the show she always interacts with the people that die in the next scene.
The actress that plays The Bullet is Ariana DeBose who was in the 2021 version of West Side Story and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actresses.
Thank you, underrated part, symbolism, She went to the White House with the Company
it's absolutely insane how in under ten years she went from ensemble on broadway to oscar winner and 2x tony awards host!!
She’s also great in the AppleTV musical Schmigadoon! Highly recommend for any fan of musicals.
@@UranusHz420 I love that show! Dove Cameron and Kristin Chenoweth were amazing in it too!
@@godabandonedthistimeline I’ve rewatched that show from start to finish more times than I care to admit. Alan Cumming, Aaron Tveit, it’s literally a cavalcade of Broadway stars and Broadway dancers.
I love how they made the king feel like an abusive boyfriend
about the gasp at the end: it's never been "officially" explained, as each actress who plays Eliza is allowed to interpret it differently. However, I think it is commonly thought to be seen as this: the show is told by storytellers. This is made pretty clear from the opening song where they are all in white and explaining who Hamilton is. By the finale, they are all back in white and wrapping up the story and Eliza, who is still in her blue dress, is escorted to the front of the stage and "shown" the audience and the story that was just told - furthering the narrative and their legacy. But like you said! It could be her death. It could be her seeing Hamilton again once she dies. It's very much up to interpretation.
This was a great surprise upload! Happy you enjoyed it!
That's really interesting that the final gasp is left open for interpretation. I'm glad I took a crack at guessing it lol
Perfect comment 👏👍
Several cast members played double roles in this show.
I know that it’s called “dual casting”, but for this show I still propose the term “duel casting” (at least for John Laurens/ Philip Hamilton).
@@reneebush2399nah that’s hilarious😂
@@sekkobryn98 thanks! 👍
Best part is that what those people say in the opening number also has double meaning. “We fought with him” is Lafy and Mulligan as well as Jefferson and Madison depending on how you define “with”. “I died for him” is both Laurence and Phillip.
@@SirSpitsAlotableI loved him is peggy & maria too bcs Peggy loved him in a brotherly platonic way they were very close historically.
My take on the last song:
Who lives: Burr, who is the narrator during the play
Who dies: Hamilton, the character the story follows
Who tells the story: Eliza, who is the "Hamilton" who tells it to history
Absolutely!
If you look at the last song too only four people wear colour, you were pretty close but you forgot someone. Burr lives, Hamilton dies, and Eliza/Angelica tell the story. No one else on stage wears colour other than them during that song! :)
I’ve listened to this cast album since 2015 and never even thought of this! 🫢 I always learn new ways to love this musical
Leslie Odom Jr has an insane voice, so friggin good
I would kill to have a voice like that man. He's just spectacular. What a performer.
Another Carnegie-Mellon graduate -
Patina Miller (Pippin, Tony winner) was at CMU same time.
@@w9gb Oh wow, I didn't realize Leslie was a Carnegie Mellon grad. My sister-in-law got her MBA there, though a few years after he graduated.
Daveed Diggs too!
He won the Tony for best lead for this (over LMM)
Davied Digs & Renée Elise Goldsberry each won best featured performers.
LMM got the Tony for best Book (Theater speak for the non-song parts of the story) & best Score (Theater speak for the music & lyrics)
The thing about Washington stepping down is that it set a precedent. It cemented the Idea about the peacful transition of power and that that is even a possibilty. And especially in these times, when there are people who are willing to challenge that, I think it is good to rememeber where it came from
Also worth pointing out since he wasn't sure that we didn't have term limits at the time on President. Washington could have kept running and winning until his death but knew we needed to set this precedent because otherwise when he died no one would have been able to step into those shoes.
Term limits didn't become a thing until after FDR won 4 straight terms.
The weird energy of George III is intentional, for comedy effect, and a bit of a historical shorthand, as George III was becoming increasingly mad through his life, known for doing a bit of foaming at the mouth when he got emotional.
Nah, Alexander and Angelica didn’t fool around. In history they were just very close, but in the play there were attracted to each other, but didn’t do anything about it.
ACTUALLY that is just Groff ,he does that saliva stuff normally
A couple of really cool points:
-Eliza is the only character who intentionally doesn’t rap because she lived to be over 90 years old. Hamilton died in his early 40s, so he was running out of time, but all Eliza had was time.
-Burr and Hamilton’s blocking mirror each other. At the beginning, Burr walks in straight lines while Hamilton walks in arch’s, but in the later half, Burr starts moving in more curves arch’s while Hamilton starts moving in straighter lines.
- in the last song Burr, Hamiltonand Eliza (plus Angelica) are the only ones not wearing white because they are, respectively, who lives (Burr), who dies (Hamilton), who tells your story (Eliza and Angelica).
I know there are more, but I can’t think of them right now. But Hamilton is amazing!!!!
Because I love this musical more than words can express, I'll keep this comment brief, otherwise you'd be scrolling for hours just to read everything I think Lin did perfectly. Renee Elise Goldsberry, the actress who plays Angelica, was apparently the only member of the entire cast to never make a mistake while rehearsing. Also, her main song, Satisfied, is sometimes referred to as "How to win a Tony in 6 minutes". Lin also said he doesn't believe he will ever write a better song than Satisfied.
Again, adore this musical, I think it's an absolute magnum opus. Loved your reaction! It's so good to see someone who understands just *how* good what they're watching is. Hope to see more musical content in the future! And don't worry about having to cut songs, most musical theatre nerds are able to recite every line in a show without even looking at the screen hahaha!
The writing is very clever.
In the opening song we have Lafayette/Jefferson and Mulligan/Maddison saying the line "We, fought with him" because their characters in Act 1 were fighting alongside Hamilton and in Act 2 they were fighting against him.
Then we have Laurance/Philip say the line "Me, I died for him" something that both characters did.
And of course we have Peggy/Maria along with the Angelica and Elisa say "Me, I loved him" because Peggy loved him as a brother and Maria as a lover
I can sing this whole thing!
same lol!
Thritto !
Me too!
Same and rap super fast parts as well
Same
Okay so there is no real evidence that Alexander and Angelica ever actually had an affair. Based on their letters it was more so a brother sister kind of relationship, they had similar senses of humor and would banter a lot but especially in Alexander’s letters you can see he respected her and would ask her for advice on politics because Angelica was incredibly intelligent. I believe she was actually married before Alexander and Eliza got together.
He did however have an affair and Eliza did burn her letters so we don’t know how she responded to it. She didn’t want the public to be involved in their relationship which is understandable! Also, not so fun fact the reason Eliza was already dressed in black when Philip was dying is because I believe just a month before Peggy her other sister had passed and she was still in mourning so her husbands cheats, she looses her sister, and then her son all within maybe like three or so months.
Thank you, his assumption that he and Anjelica had an actual affair was so frustrating. Her feelings are tragic BECAUSE she never acts on them. This is why she is able to be there for and with her sister with a clear conscience the entire time.
What about Laurens?
I'll that doesn't really show up in the musical but still-
You should find the clip of “one last time” sung at the White House, a few weeks before Obama left office. It’s ridiculously emotional. And the original Hamilton at the White House poetry jam when Lin sings the opening song on his own, when it was just a concept before he wrote the musical.
The original verison of Alexander Hamilton sung at the poetry reading at the White House drew a huge Laugh when he sang Alexander Hamilton - contrast that with years later that everytime he sings Alexander Hamilton it draws a massive ovation. That’s how impactful Hamilton has become.
OMG Lin Manuel was so nervous when they performed this in front of the king's descendants but they loved it hahaha I'm not sure about the others but Groff, the guy playing the King, is a professional broadway performer, and yes he spits alot when he performs lol. He said in an interview he just gets so into it that he forgets to swallow
it's also easier to enunciate as an actor if you spit more (which is gross but hey if it works)
Can confirm. I sat on stage when I saw Spring Awakening and the spit went everywhere. It was gross, but if that’s what it takes for him to give these great performances then so be it lol
It is VERY common for stage actors to spit, it's part of the ability to project and enunciate clearly (which you need in a crowded auditorium).
Also you've seen (or heard) Jonathan Groff before on your channel! He is Kristoff in Frozen! And Christopher Jackson as well, he was the singing voice for Moana's father!
Kristoff was great!.. Hans is the one who broke my heart lol
You also asked if Phillipa Soo (Eliza) was in a disney movie... she was in Moana (but just as a supporting voice, not as one of the main characters)
@@radicaledward84Also pretty sure Lin Manuel curated most of the Moana soundtrack as well with the similar casting, it’s interesting
As somebody who flew to New York to see this and is also a Hamilton cosplayer here are some of my favorite facts along with some information about stuff you mentioned (edit: this comment became really long, but I hope it's informational if you decide to read it):
Thomas Jefferson's introduction song what'd I miss has the vibe it does because the musical style is that which predates rap, showing that he is older than the rest of the characters.
In the first song, when all the characters state their relationship to Hamilton, They all have double meanings. Lafayette and Jefferson are played by the same actor who says that he fights with Hamilton, same goes for the actor who plays both Mulligan and Madison. The actor of both Laurens and Phillip say they die for Hamilton, Eliza and Angelica state They loved him, alongside the actress who plays both Peggy and Maria Reynolds.
Washington dips his head down in who lives who dies who tells your story when Eliza mentions slavery as a nod to the fact he owned slaves.
In some of the scenes, a woman from the ensemble can be seen with her hands mimicking carrying a bullet. She's also assassinated by King George after you'll be back. She is the bullet, every character she touches dies. She is symbolic of death.
Eliza uses real fire on stage to burn the letters.
While Hamilton is historically accurate for the most part with only a few liberties, the biggest one is definitely his relationship with his wife's sister Angelica. The two of them did not have any relations in real life. The addition of a bit of romance between them was for the musical. Historically, it was far more likely Hamilton had a relationship with John Laurens than with Angelica as the two men sent many letters filled with innuendo, one of which was partially destroyed by Hamilton's son in an attempt to stop something from getting out.
In the Reynolds pamphlet, the papers they throw actually have parts of the Reynolds pamphlet written on them.
Alexander Hamilton was going to be removed from the $10 bill but wasn't because of the popularity of the musical Hamilton when it debuted around the same time.
Maria Reynolds convinces Hamilton to stay by saying she is helpless, helpless is commonly used as a callback in the show by Hamilton's wife Eliza. The song containing their wedding is literally called helpless.
The line "uh, france?" Was improvised by Jefferson actor Daveed Diggs.
"If you stand for nothing, what will you fall for?" Is paraphrased by Hamilton in the show. This is actually a quote by a different guy named Alexander Hamilton that is often misattributed to the Alexander Hamilton of the musical. Lin put it in there as a little joke.
When Philip is dying, you can hear a heartbeat in the background that stops suddenly when he dies. When he talks with his mother in that scene he says he's sorry for forgetting what she taught him, referencing when they were counting together earlier. He thinks he miscounted when really he was shot on 7, too early. In real life, both parties in that duel raised their guns to the sky but Phillips opponent had a very ill timed seizure causing him to shoot after he lowered his gun, killing Philip.
Hamilton was also killed by accident. Aaron Burr mentions in the musical that he is a bad shot which is true. He meant to shoot Hamilton but nothing fatal, he was just such a bad shot that he accidentally shot him right between the ribs.
When Jefferson asks Hamilton what he thinks will happen if he taxed their whiskey it's referencing the whiskey rebellion. Alexander Hamilton imposed a whiskey tax that went over very poorly and was later repealed by Jefferson when he became president.
When King George III mentions talking with John Adams in '85 It was actually two to make peace with America. The king explained himself and requested that Britain be one of the first countries to have peaceful relations with the United States as their own independent country. King George is often portrayed as a tyrant but he was not.
Maria Reynolds eventually got divorced from her abuse of husband, and their divorce lawyer was Aaron Burr.
To answer your question about the actors and whether they were trained to rap or to sing first, it really depends. Some of the actors had previous theater experience, and they are all vocally amazing. Daveed Diggs, if you couldn't tell by guns and ships, is a rapper first. He was actually very uncomfortable singing in this show at first. He belongs to the rap group freestyle love supreme with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Chris Jackson (Washington).
To add to that Daveed was also not known for his dancing. He couldn't follow the choreo he was given so the choreographer just told him to go up there and do something. Hence the weird dancing in What'd I Miss.
Also regarding casting something important to note is that despite what it looks like, Hamilton does not cast colour blind. The fact all of the major roles except for the king and Samuel Seabury are played by actors of color is not a coincidence. It's very purposeful.
There are easily hundreds of things I could tell you about this show that are hidden in the little details and easy to miss. After watching it a dozen times, twice live, and listening to it a couple hundred times I still find things out. There's an entire companion book with little notes from Lin-Manuel Miranda on specific lyrics and choices.
Disliking Lin as Hamilton is a very common gripe. A lot of people don't like his voice and he is often bullied for it despite the fact he is a well-trained singer, it's just what his voice sounds like. I think you're critique is totally valid. Something to consider though is that he is stage acting. All of his acting choices are purposefully over the top visually in a way that doesn't translate particularly well to a film because he is performing for the stage. He is very much acting in a way that looks good from 20 feet in the air and 30 feet back from the stage. Before I really got into theater I probably would have agreed with you but now as someone who's both had really good seats and had to sit really far back on occasion, I have such an appreciation for actors who over accentuate everything. But it does come across really weird on a camera close up.
Anyways, I'm so glad you checked this out and enjoyed. Sorry that this comment kind of turned into an essay, I just really adore this show and It makes me so happy to see people get into Hamilton. Especially glad you liked the room where it happens, it's my absolute favorite.
I don't understand the music part with Jefferson. He wasn't older than every other character, Washington was 11 years older than him. Odd choice if that is why they did it. I thought they did it because he had been gone for a while and things had changed and moved on.
@@adventuresinlaurenland It was more to indicate a slightly outdated state of mind, just like "You'll Be Back" was in the style of a 60's Boy Band breakup song; he WAS being dumped by America, after all. Jefferson still had slaves despite campaigning for America's freedom, and even had an infamous affair with one (they mention her briefly- Sally Hemings). Each character had their signatures, more or less; Eliza never rapping but vocalizing, Angelica being able to bombast and rap fast, Washington always being slow and deliberate (you do not rush the General!), Laurens/Phillip having the most similar style to Alexander indicating how much they loved each other.
I appreciate your essay lol I learned a lot of little things I didn't know but instantly made sense. I saw the play during the U.S. Tour without Lin. The actor that played Hamilton was amazing so when I first saw the film version Lin did feel off on the singing however it works to separate him from the rest of cast (especially the more cultured ones) and showcases his character personality more. Says a lot that Lin would cast far better singers than himself.
Re: relationship between Hamilton and Laurens. At the time the story occurred, it was common for men and women to have close friends of the same sex, partly because the lives of men and those of women were very different and separate. They exchanged letters, often using words we think of as romantic or used only by couples in their correspondence. Hamilton and Laurens, and Hamilton and Angelica, were close friends, end of story.
@@NiaMeg look, I'm a history buff. I know how men used to talk to each other. The fact they exchanged letters and the terms they use are not the reasons This was a possibility. I'm not saying they had a sexual relationship, I'm just saying that a certain subgroup of historians believe it was a possibility.
Trust me, I'm not one of those crazy people who will go on and on about how it was totally real and you can't say otherwise. Some of the "evidence" people present really is nothing. But a lot of The reason we say that that's just how men used to talk, even if a lot of it is because of that, is because historians for the past few hundred years have been steeped in homophobia. The idea that they couldn't have been in a relationship despite the fact there are indicators is a result of this erasive historical view that has permeated society for ages.
I don't want to go on some sort of long rant about queer people in history, historical relationships, queer erasure from historical documentation... But it is there.
Again, I would like it to be noted that as we were not there and do not know what happened, we can only look objectively at the evidence. I never said they did have a relationship, I said it was more likely than having a relationship with Angelica as that has no historical basis.
I would also like to note I used to be the person who would respond to other people's thoughts on Hamilton and Laurens being in some form of relationship. I used to be the person who did what you've done in this comment section. Then I actually looked and learned about historical bias regarding queerness. I learned a lot from a lot of people and it's definitely helped me be able to look truly objectively. Because, trust me, the people who say that's just how men talk and leave it at that are not unbiased. Or at least the system that they've learned from isn't.
"Forgiveness" gets me every time😢
I break down EVERY SINGLE TIME!
I pirated this in 2019 (bad me!) and I went into it expecting a hip hop musical, not to totally break down for almost the last 20 minutes.
For me it is the “Eliza” and “orphanage” in the end.
And the death auf Laurens, when she reads that the war was already over and his dream died with him.
The "book" in musical theatre is kinda like the script, it’s usually the narrative structure, plot, spoken dialogue and everything that links songs together, so like someone can write the "book" (the script) but not the score for example if that makes sense ?
The confusing end, and you didn't know why Eliza gasped. It's been explained that it's not Hamilton taking Eliza's hand at the end and walking her to the edge of the stage. It's Lin taking Eliza's hand to show her the audience watching them so she knows Hamilton's story was finally told (because the book about his life wasn't published until after she died). The gasp is meant to be her overwhelmed with joy and pride at knowing his story lived on.
With respect that interpretation only works with Lin in the title role - and there have been dozens of different actors play Hamilton since!
@beckyvan-orden7540 I don't necessarily think so. I think it makes perfect sense that whoever is the one playing her husband and helping to tell that story (at that time) would be the right person to show Eliza it's being told. After all, Lin isn't the first person to tell Alexander Hamilton's story. Just who happens to be doing it now, and since he couldn't very well pull the book out on stage I think this was his way of giving that peace to Eliza.
Because apparently she begged their sons for years to gather his writings and put together a story of his life. Which one or two of his children eventually did do, but she had already passed on by then, not having the chance to see it.
Of course, this is all from a one interview recollection from years ago 🤷♂️
@@jasonmallard3371 oh I agree - it’s just that there have been others suggesting that it’s specifically Lin - as the writer of the musical - showing her the audience at that moment, so I thought that’s what you were also saying. Apologies!
@@jasonmallard3371it was actually explained that every Eliza has her own personal reason for the gasp.
If history class was like this musical I would have passed every class. Lin is a musical genius.
Edit: Angelica and Alexander had more of a playful flirty relationship nothing else I believe she was already married when they met. Burr's daughter was named after her mother, she had a baby boy that died and she ended up lost at sea. I want to see Leslie (Burr) as a Disney villain his voice is just too good.
Apparently he might be cast as in the live action Frog Princess Movie as the Voodoo Man as Lin is doing this one like he did The Little Mermaid Live Action I just hope he does a better job.
i've always thought that about Leslie's voice, especially in Your Obedient Servant he has such Disney villain vibes
@@emmamcintyre6997I hope that’s true Leslie would make and amazing shadow man
@@emmamcintyre6997The Little Mermaid was fabulous
Fun fact with the song "Dear Theodosia" where they're both talking about how some day their kids will blow us all away:
Both real-life Phillip and Theodosia were "Blown away."
Phillip was shot and died as a result. ("Blown away" by the bullet)
Theodosia was on a boat that got lost at sea. The remains of the boat and people were never found. The boat she was on got "Blown away" by wind.
Which is extra tragic because, for all his many, many faults, Burr was far above and beyond dedicated to be the best father in his Century, giving Theodosia education and freedoms no women of her time had, and he truly, deeply venerated his daughter.
Hamilton is that rare thing with gigantic hype that lives up to it.
"In the Heights" is great too, although the movie was done long enough after the play that Lin couldn't play the lead anymore.
The stage performance of In the heights is 1000 times better than the movie there is no comparison for me personally.
Agreed. I'm not a huge musical theater fan. I like it fine, but have never really gravitated to it. I went into this one when it first dropped on Disney+ thinking I'd probably like it, but maybe not love it. I downloaded the soundtrack halfway through watching it because I loved it so much. It's fucking incredible.
Also: I would *highly* recommend people checking out Weird Al's tribute, and then Lin Manuel's reaction to his tribute. Al specifically made his "parody" song so complicated that it wouldn't be easy to replicate, because if I recall, he didn't want to have to perform it all the time but wanted to pay his tribute to a show he just loved.
I love the part where Hamilton is debating the other guy near the beginning, and the writing is so that he is LITERALLY talking circles around his opponent. He's speaking in double time compared to the other guy, coming around every couple of lines so that they're on the same word/sound, but Hamilton has said twice as much.
So much internal assonance and vowel/sound mirroring, SO well done. Showing that Hamilton is not only faster, but flipping Seabury's own words against him in a mocking taunt. :D
This cleaned up at the Tony Awards (Broadway's version of the Oscars).
Leslie Odom Jr. (Burr) won a Tony Award for Best Actor, and many people agree with you that it was Burr's story.
Daveed Diggs (Lafayette and Jefferson) won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actor, and Renee Elise Goldsberry (Angelica) won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress. Lots of other folks were nominated and won, and some only lost because they were nominated opposite each other (Chris Jackson was nominated and lost to Daveed Diggs for example). It also won Tony Awards for best orchestrations and choreography, and the big one: Best Musical.
Long comment incoming:
King George’s songs were absolutely meant to sound like breakup songs. And JGroff’s tendency to spit honestly fit in well with the whole “mad king George” thing 😂
Re presidential terms: Washington set the precedent for only serving 2 terms but the official amendment limiting it was added until after FDR (who died early in his 4th term).
Eliza really did burn most/all of their personal letters, but she was also the driving force in preserving Hamilton’s historical legacy. Although if I remember correctly the show takes liberties about when/why she did, and it may have been done later (poss. even after his death).
Burr is definitely the other main character of the show and it is very much centered around the ways their lives paralleled, diverged, and interweaved with each other. Lin and Leslie were both nominated for the Tony award for the lead actor role and Leslie was the (well-deserved) winner.
ETA: You should check out “First Burn”. It’s an earlier draft of Eliza’s song Burn and it is a more fierce, angry take on her reaction and has some 🔥 lines.
Daveed Diggs (Lafayette/Jefferson) is absolutely amazing. He plays in the series Snowpiercer
What's crazier is when Burr and his wife were getting divorced...Hamilton Jr was her attorney!!! THATS clapback!!😂
A little explaination for the “Comma after dearest” moment
“My dearest Angelica” means “you’re the dearest of all the Angelicas”, but “My dearest, Angelica” basically means she’s the dearest person to him, full stop.
Jefferson, Madison and Burr didn’t actually confront Hamilton about his indiscretions it was James Monroe and two House members (Abe Venable and Fred Muhlenberg) but Lin used creative license and changed it since Jefferson, Madison and Burr were already such big parts of the play. Most people wouldn’t know the actual three dudes except for maybe James Monroe since he later became President himself.
I went into this play blind knowing nothing. I was amazing by the performances but was trying to keep up with who was who and what was going on. I had no idea they would be rapping the whole time. During the intermission an older white couple in their 80s seated next to us told me they drove from 2 states over just see it for their 50th wedding anniversary. They knew the WHOLE soundtrack. I have work have worked specifically in rap music for 20 years so I found it delightful that they were schooling me.
I encourage you to re listen to all of the women’s songs you didn’t care for. They’re on the same level as the rap songs and just as incredible.
It's just personal taste. I've watched the musical 4 or 5 times and I still prefer the harder hitting songs with more rap. I don't think he was being dismissive.
@@HungarycloudI felt the same about the songs, but not even Eliza's sad one? It was so strange he couldn't connect or feel empathy, same with that gut wrenching cry when their son died; I'm not saying he's a misogynistic pig; but these are the little red flags, the little things that remind us women how the patriarchy messed up men to the point a normal, good guy isn't used to feel what a woman is feeling to understand her, it doesn't even occur to him. It makes us sad and that can lead to anger and defensiveness. See, even though he loved Satisfied because it's a great song, he made no comment about how she must have felt, you know? It's not a coincidence when we see it all the time from most men.
@@carlalussiniI noticed this too. And constantly calling Eliza “wifey” made my skin crawl.
@@isabellp.5730 she doesn't get to have her own/a name in his mind. Reminding us that someone recognizing your existence as a complex, independent human being is the first seemingly obvious step in being able to hear your story; who's listening is as important as who's telling it.
One of the most minute and genius character details in the whole play is during Thomas Jefferson's intro song "What'd I Miss". When he's coming down the steps, we see him interact with a background dancer who's black. As soon as that dancer moves away, he wipes his hand off on his coat like he just touched something filthy. It is arguably the smallest and most blink-and-you'll-miss-it detail in the whole movie, even moreso than the Bullet or Burr's own subtleties. And nothing else like it happens the entire show afterwards. The closest we get is Hamilton calling him out on his bullshit in the very next song, but other than that, there's no real overt insinuating as to Thomas Jefferson's racism. You can probably argue that him not touching or holding the letter that he read as the other black background dancer held it out to him is another sign of it, but that character was also the Bullet I believe, so he mlre or less gets a pass for that.
The world was wide enough is such a good song that was created from a simple quote.
It was the only time Burr ever expressed remorse for what happened. Burr was asked by a friend about the duel, and he responded, "Had I read Sterne more and Voltaire less, I should have known the world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me."
The fact Lin turned that into such a great song is a mark of his genius.
Random fun fact, whenever asked about Hamilton after the duel, Burr would always refer to him as "My friend Mr Hamilton whom I shot."
Loved this reaction - your analysis at the end was particularly thoughtful and well argued.
Don’t beat yourself up on not catching everything the first time through - it’s an incredibly dense piece with a huge amount going on + all the historical stuff. An analysis found that Hamilton has twice the words per minute of other musicals so you’ve really thrown yourself into the deep end here. This is part of the reason why us Hamilton nuts enjoy repeat visits/watchings - you always catch something new.
In my eyes, Eliza taking Alexanders hand represents her death. He leads her to the front of the stage, where she sees the audience and realizes their story has been told. It's sheer joy. All the pain and struggle led to a legacy with a captive audience.
Leslie Odom (Burr) is *fucking incredible* in this. I remember reading he was a little disappointed in his biggest solo being "The Room Where It Happened" because he didn't immediately connect to it, and only later realized how absurdly good that song is. I think it might be my favorite in the entire show, and he nails it.
No Hamilton did not have an affair with Angelica. Both Angelica and Eliza liked Hamilton, but Eliza was soooo in love , Angelica loves her sister, so much she gives him up to Eliza.,, after she does , she realizes she loves him too. Her song is about realizing how much she did love him, but she loves her sister more.
This is my best friends favourite musical, i designed one of her tattoos that had Burrs quote ‘I am the one thing in life I can control, I am inimitable i am an original’ in it one of my favourite things I’ve ever designed. Something I love about this musical is that Lin said he wanted to tell Americas history by what America is today hence the diversity of the cast and the use of hip hop instead of traditional broadway music, which I think is genius
You mentioned the end credit song. It's from the Hamilton Mixtape. Fantastic project with Busta, Nas, Alicia Keys, Kelli Clarkson, Common, Black Thought and a ton of others.
Great reaction and discussion! Re: your thoughts about Lin's performance - he himself has openly admitted that he doesn't consider himself to be the best dancer/singer/actor, but his philosophy is to surround himself with the very best people and focus on telling the story. So yeah, as brilliant as he is at writing music and lyrics, you're not alone in thinking he's not always quite as top-tier a performer as the rest of the cast. :)
Lin-MM has said that, based on the musicals he saw when he was growing up, the only way he would be cast in a musical was if he wrote a musical(s) himself. I think he writes fantastic musicals, and he can play any role he wants!
About Eliza's gasp at the end: the house lights go on in the theater, revealing the audience to Eliza. Thus the story ends with Eliza's question "will they tell your story?" answered: yes. And it's all because of her.
the King is no cap my favorite character in the show. framing his as a scorned lover is hysterical
So glad you watched it again and that you got so much from it. I've always thought the framing and POV of the whole was always super neat and unexpected. For me, the show is ELIZABETH Hamilton's story OF her husband Alexander Hamilton but TOLD through Aaron Burr. It sort of just puts everything into perspective.
The stage turntable is definitely not a standard musical thing; the production designer created it specifically for this musical, and it is actually 2 turntables, the center one, and then an outer ring which can either move in the same direction as the center, or in the opposite way. It's ingenious, gives the performance so much dynamic movement, and can be used in incredibly subtle ways with cast members in the back loading pieces of scenery/props (desks, chairs, lamp posts, etc) onto the turntable so they can smoothly move into the foreground.
I looooove Hercules! Also, fun tidbit, the guys playing Washington also does the singing voice for Moana's father lol
Washington served 2 terms and stepped down. Which basicslly is how it went for most presidents until FDR who was elected 4 times. After him the 22nd ammendment was added that formally limited them to 2 terms.
Anyway in the US most of what we learn of Hamilton is that he died by a duel with Burr and he wrote the Federalist papers.
The situation between Hamilton and Angelica is a bit complicated.
Historically, when they first met she was already married. There have been letters that show that they were close but nothing proves that they had an affair.
In the musical, we see that Angelica had feelings for Hamilton but chose not to act on them for Elisa's sake. Hamilton wrote a letter to Angelica in which intentionally or not he referred to Angelica as his dearest.
So they most likely didn't have an affair in the musical and we will never know for sure in real life.
The word play on the letter angelica recieved could have 2 meanings depending on if a comma is there or not, which obviously links to the fact that angelica and hamilton had some feels for each other.
Eg.
My dearest angelica - generic term used for signing off letters to firends or family
My dearest, angelica - hints that angelica is hamiltons 'dearest' ( which is messed cause hamiltons dearest should be eliza )
Eliza’s gasp at the end can be interpreted as her seeing the audience and knowing that her story has been told.
I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned this, but Eliza's older sister and Alexander never had 'relations'. Eliza's sister realized that Eliza was smitten, so she never made a move.
The single greatest work of art in the history of humanity.
The Room where it Happens is my favorite song, glad to see you loved it too !
this takes place in the late 1700’s. He didn’t do anything with Angelica irl or in the musical. satisfied was to show that angelica had feelings for him but gave up on him for her sister because she cared more about her sisters happiness & she had other responsibilities.
Hamilton and Angelica never had an affair but they were known to be intellectual soulmates. Angelica though was very loyal to her sister, sp she never lead him on
The only affair portrayed is between Maria Reynolds and Hamilton. Angelica did have feelings for him but she sacrificed being with him for the love of her sister and because she was the oldest she had to marry "up".
These actors are musical theater actors which means they can sing. Their vocal backgrounds are classical and they are all trained singers!
This was originally written as a mix tape, I believe. Lin then decided to bring it to Broadway. Lin also did In The Heights
From one of the interviews, Lin started writing it as a mixed tape and invited some friends, including the production team from his Broadway hit In The Heights to a performance of the first 4 songs. He and his director noticed his choreographer doing little hand gestures in the seats so, when they got together afterwards, they asked each other "Is this a show?"... and the rest is history 😊
Edit:spelling
I love how Hamilton is still gaining fandom!!! The growth of fans is….welll…non stop 😂 😂 😂
this is the first video I've ever watched of yours and was fully expecting an American guy when I clicked on this! Was thoroughly surprised to hear a familiar accent as a fellow Aussie :))))
🍻🇦🇺🐍👍
Men are such odd creatures… no The song by Angelica was her longing for Alexander , they did not have affair… in the song she said she would never hurt her sister…
King George III was literally insane. At the time of the Revolution, he was still having enough lucid moments to remain in charge, but later (early 1800s), his oldest son was named Prince Regent because George III could no longer rule. When George III died, the Prince Regent became King George IV - but that happened long after the events in this show. :)
The British didn't attack New York to "try to take over control". What later became the USA was originally the 13 colonies, owned by Great Britain. They already *had* control, but they wanted to put down the rebels who were causing trouble.
"This lady is killing this." Yes, the woman who played Angelica got an Emmy for her performance. No, Alexander did not have an affair with Angelica. Angelica loved him, but gave him to Eliza. She didn't go back on that, but she longed for him the rest of her life, even after she got married to a British Loyalist and moved to London.
No, Burr did not decide to kill Alexander nearly that early. LOL At the point you said that, they were on the same side, fighting against the British. They were still friendly.
Washington made a mistake early in his career, and was cautious ever after not to make more. By this point, Washington wasn't useless, General Lee was. Lee was trying to save his own rep by blaming Washington for Lee's own mistakes. That's why Laurens called him out.
Theodosia the elder died in childbirth. Burr is left to raise their daughter, also named Theodosia.
Laurens' death was not a murder. Levi Weeks killed someone else, and Alexander and Burr were co-counsel to represent Weeks.
The Federalist Papers are still used to teach Constitutional Law classes and interpret the Constitution today.
The actor who played Laurens in Act 1 plays Phillip in Act 2. It's just a coincidence, they are not trying to imply that Phillip was Laurens' son. Also, the actor who played Lafayette in Act 1 plays Jefferson in act 2, the actor who played Mulligan in Act 1 plays Madison in Act 2, and the actress who played the youngest sister, Peggy, in Act 1, plays Maria Reynolds in Act 2.
Yes, men were almost expected to keep a mistress - but they were expected to be discreet about it. He paid the blackmail to keep it quiet, but when challenged, he told everyone by writing it down and confessing it - without telling Eliza first, which nearly killed his marriage.
Washington did serve 2 terms. Most presidents respected that as the limit without it being a formal thing, but Franklin Roosevelt served 3 terms and part of a 4th before dying in office. After his death, the 22nd Amendment was enacted which made the 2-term limit a formality.
Alexander and Eliza had 8 children. After Phillip, their eldest child, died in the duel, they had another son and named him Phillip also.
The "book" of the show is the script. Lin Manuel wrote the entire musical, with help on the musical arrangements from the guy who popped up at the very end, who also conducted the orchestra under the stage.
The gasp at the end from Eliza is generally thought to be because she's been shown the audience (when she's walked to the front of the stage by Hamilton), and she realizes that the story has been told.
"She likes to talk about things being enough, or not enough...."
That's funny.
The songs from the credits are from the Hamilton Mix Tape. Its all rap/rnb/pop versions of the songs and its *chefs kiss*
You should check out the Hamildrops.. they are songs that come from Hamilton that are performed with him & different singers and rappers. But the best is First Burn. It’s the way Burn was originally written, performed by the 5 women who played Eliza in New York,London & the touring companies. It is a whole different take n the song. Originally Eliza confronts Hamilton,while singing First Burn. But then Lin decided Eliza deserved the stage to herself. This was her moment… def check it out on RUclips
Absolutely love that you reacted to this! It was so good to revisit it! You asked if Burr is looked at as the villain and until this musical came out, I would say yes. I remember leaving this story in high school in the 90’s and I felt so bad for Hamilton. Now that I’m an adult, I look at it differently. Great reaction! ❤
My two favorite lines have to be 1: " if you stand for nothing what will you fall for" and " i will kill your friends and family to remind you of my love" Jonathan groff did an amazing job as king George
This is one of my favorite things in the whole world. Not favorite movies, not favorite musicals, favorite things in general, LOL.
I've enjoyed your intelligent and observant reaction to Hamilton more than any other. I thought your lack of acquaintance with the history would lessen my appreciation, but you were quick to put things together. Very astute, thank you, quite pleased.
That's a really kind thing to say. Cheers!
I absolutely love this show and I'm glad you watched it! I enjoy when people who don't really watch musicals or like musicals give them a chance because something special like Hamilton comes along. I have a few of these on Spotify lists just to randomly listen to. History is a lot even though the US isn't an old country lol - growing up in VA we had a lot of things absolutely drilled into our brains and this is just so much easier to understand. Sweeney Todd, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, or Les Mis may be good options for broadway-turned-movies as well.
I’m glad you pointed out the disdain from Washington…
Bro, you're hilarious with the commentary. You nailed all the genres of music. Good ear.
I am late to the show.
I adored this show on so many levels.
It's genius.
I was an American history major in university. I also am in the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) because of AH.
But my biggest point of pride is when my non verbal autustic son did his 8th grade presentation to a edit he made of this. He included clips. Presented the supporting history points. He used his text to talk mostly but said a few words as he even danced a few moves.
His class gave him a standing O.
I will always tear up when this is on.
Did I mention his name is Alexander Hamilton?
😮
My favourite pass time is watching people discover this incredible piece of art for the first time. Loved yr take on things. 😊
My pleasure!
Lin himself knows and has acknowledged he is not the strongest singer but he loves performing and if you are going to create something amazing why not cast yourself in it. Pretty sure everyone would do the same in his shoes!
"The guy in the brown jacket" - Laurens is Anthony Ramos. Yes, he also plays Philip Hamilton. He also starred in the movie version of L-M Miranda's In The Heights and he played Lady Gaga's BFF in A Star Is Born. And the Crown Royal commercials. George III is played by Jonathan Groff, who plays Kristoff in Frozen, and been in multiple Broadway shows, TV, films. Daveed Diggs played Jefferson and Lafayette. He is probably the most versatile in terms of hip hop and rap of the leads. Diggs was also on Black-ish for a while, and in Snowpiercer. Yes, it is largely Aaron Burr's story, and Leslie Odom won the Tony. The book of a musical is the framework. There's not really much straight dialogue here but if there were that would be part of the book. The inspriration of the show is from a real book about Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. Eliza lives to age 97.
And yes, LMM is the creator so he wasn't going to throw away his shot but the consensus by people who saw both LMM and his understudy and eventually successor Javier Munoz say Munoz played the part better.
It's amazing to see others from different countries learn about US history. I feel bad for not knowing much of yours. I know yall have fired a bunch of PMs recently, my brother lives in Oz around Brisbane with his wife and kids. He's supposed to be paying me a visit in October. Havent seen him in years.
The pride and prejudice reference to the Schuyler sisters is so on point
the gasp at the end is actually eliza seeing the audience and realising that she succeeded in making sure his story was known! i LOVE this musical sm
Anthony Ramos was in In the Heights and 21 Chump Street, both written by LMM.
You mention a few times that LMM was involved in Coco but I'm pretty sure he wasn't. However, he was involved in Moana, which is also amazing. If you watch it, listen to the voices... you'll recognize a couple of familiar ones.
Fun fact, the guy who plays the king is the talented Jonathon Groff who also voiced Kristoff in Frozen!
You’re doing great with the history stuff - I knew nothing of American history until I saw this show - Hamilton’s taught me so much 😅
I love the song "Dear Theodosia" where both Burr and Hamilton sing to their children. I think it shows that the characters really have deep similarities despite their differences. Both of them were considered devoted fathers. Hamilton made sure to take time to spend with his kids even when he was busy, and Burr doted on his daughter and made sure she got an education beyond what girls would have normally received at the time. They stayed close until Theodosia's death, which this song is kind of an omen for, along with Phillip's. When they sing "and you'll blow us all away" it is a precursor for Phillip getting shot and Theodosia died when the ship she travelled on to visit her father sank in a storm. Both of them "blown away" way too young.
I think watching this show a couple of times and reading up on characters is definitely beneficial (for obsessed people, like me), as it helps you spot the little easter eggs and hidden gems that are very easy to miss the first time around.
At the point that Burr is singing Wait for it he is Not thinking about shooting Hamilton . He is talking about choices , and being calculated with those choices.
Daveed Diggs and Renee Elise Goldsberry both won Supporting acting Tony Awards. Leslie Odom Jr. Won the Tony for Best Actor. Lin was nominated for that category too. Both Christopher Jackson (Goeirge Washington), and Jonathan Groff (King George) also were nominated for Supporting Actor Tonys. Philippa Soo (Eliza) was nominated for Best Actress, but did not win.
It rightfully won the Tony for Choreography and several other categories.
It is amazing to see in the theatre.
The song from the credits is from “The Hamilton Mix Tape”, an album where artists remix and reinterpret Hamilton.
I've watched Hamilton live at Her Majesty's theatre, twice, and I gotta say it is one of the best musicals ever!
You don't like women in the roles they were stuck in back them? Aaron Burr is hated in American history and no Eliza did not die for many years but women were not expected to remarry. They stayed widows.
Hamilton was not considered very much until this musical came out. They were actually going to take Hamilton off the $10 bill but decided not to because of this play.
No the play is not to make Burr look good. The name of the show is Hamilton. Burr did some other awful things besides killing Hamilton later in his life.
Hamilton set up the financial system that is used around the world to this day. Brilliant man.
Aaron Burr had a thing for Theodosia Provost. She was married to a British soldier. He must have died because Burr later Married her. They were married in Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. In her family home. Gen.Washington at one point stayed there at that house while his troops rested about a mile away on a hill in Waldwick, N.J. (Orville Township until 1919) I know this because I was raised in Waldwick. The high school was built on that hill. Many artifacts were found there when digging the ground. The family home of Theodosia Provost is still standing, a landmark preserved by the N.J. Historical society. It's called "The Hermitage". It was also a stop along the way for the "underground railroad" (the route that Harriet Tubman took runaway slaves from the south to freedom in the north) . .The Hermitage, in Ho-Ho-Kus ( a Lenepe Indian tribe word) is in Bergen County in northern N.J. Bergen County is rich in early colonial and Revolutionary war times history.
The place where the pistol duels occurred is also in Bergen County across the Hudson River from N.Y.City, up on the Palisades ( high rocky shoreline cliffs that run along northern N.J. ( as opposed to the sandy beaches of central and southern N.J. N.J. and N.Y. are 2 of the original 13 colonies. It was between N.J. and N.Y.City ( Manhattan Island) where the British Navy entered from the Atlantic Ocean into the Hudson River and travelled it up north along N.J and up along N.Y.State. We had the advantage of the further north the British sailed on the Hudeon, the higher the elevation was on land. So our troops were firing cannon balls down on them and there was nowhere for them to hide.
Some of those cannons are still in place along the cliffs of the Hudson on land that is now The West Point Army Military Academy in N.Y.
When Hamilton was living in N.Y.City, it was mostly rural farmland, not the hustling , bustling city that it became.
Hamilton established the Treasury and banking system we have today.
(Martha Washington's silverware was melted down to make the first coins)
Washington is the one who established the system of a president only serves 2 terms. It wasn't a law until after F.D.Roosevelt served 3 terms. The idea was to never have one person (an authoritarian leader or a king)
John Adams was the second pres. and Jefferson the third.
Yes, Burr went down in history as the man who killed Alexander Hamilton.
Lin Manuel Miranda picked up a book about Hamilton at an airport to read while on a flight.....and the idea of a musical was born. It took Lin years to write the story and songs. The whole thing is pure genius from the writing to the songs to the casting and costuming and minimal sets and rotating floor.
Hamilton is a history lesson about someone who had so much to do with the founding of our country but didn't get the recognition he deserves. But now he has and so has his wife, Eliza.
The entire story is told in song. This has never been done before. King George went mad after we dissolved our relationship with him. The actor who portrayed him did so to perfection, (spitting and all).
Even though Hamilton is the main character in the story, Lin made sure that every other character topmost of the story and he legacy one of them shine in their roles. It wasn't written for Hamilton to be bigger than life.
Watch Hamilton a couple more times. You will find new things each time, you will understand it better and recognize it for the masterpiece that it is.
Your reaction was very good. I enjoyed watching you enjoy the experience.
The ending was ELIZA seeing all her life's work on keeping HAMILTON's work alive. She saw the audience watching HAMILTON and it overwhelmed her.
One thing that i think gets very easily overlooked is how little choice Mariah reynolds had in anything in her life. It isn't clear from correspondences if she did or did not know that hr Husband would extort Hamilton, but either way:
Either, Mr. Reynolds ditched her, leaving her completly in the Lurch, as he has all the power over any finances they have (At this point they have a young daughter Mariah needs to take care of as well)
Or he pimped her out to which she di not really have any recourse. Divorce, while technically allowed almost never got granted for a female partinioner and even if it went through, same deal as before: She doesn't have any finances of her own.
So, either she just followed her Husbands orders, OR she did the only work that a married woman with Child would be able to fairly freely do, Prostitution. She got herself a well off, mostly kind patron who from what we read in their letters seems to have at thevery least treated her better then her Husband. In her eyes, she could do worse.
She also had no say in the publication of the Reynolds Pamphlet. The Musical shows how terrible this must have been for Eliza, but also imagine Mariah. SUddenly, everyone knows that she has been 'sleeping around', her husband sure as shit won't stick up for her and even if people shake their heads at him for his part in this you can bet your ass _she_ is going to get the brunt of the spite
I love that you have finally explored the world of musical theatre! As a theatre nerd myself it’s fun to see people appreciate what I has such a love for. Other musical suggestions from me would be Come From Away (on AppleTv) and Little Shop of Horrors movie (1986). If you do Little Shop I would suggest either reacting to both endings or just the directors cut version (it’s my favorite).
Some of Eliza’s song you need to here in hindsight to get, I didn’t like them the first time either but now there my favorite
I know I’m late to the party. This was excellent to see live by the way. I took my niece to see the Chicago cast perform this. As for the end when Eliza does the little gasping cry and it fades to black… it is representative of when she passed and saw her sister, Philip, and Alexander again. She was overwhelmed with emotion in the moment. But it is a little button on the end to give it a bittersweet happy ending. I know you seemed to have gotten it when you did your closing comments, but many people seem to be a bit confused by this part so I thought I’d clarify more.
Adding to what others have said about the gasp at the end. I like the thought that the story can actually be seen as Eliza's story. Her story, along with Alexander's, is finally being told to the same level that George Washington's or Thomas Jefferson's have been. The show is, after all, called "Hamilton", not "Alexander" or "Alexander Hamilton". It's as much Eliza's doing as Alexander's that we get to hear it.
The end was Eliza breaking the 4th wall, seeing an audience and realizing her dream of telling his story was realized.
Miguel Cervantes played Hamilton in Chicago for 3+ years and, to me, he is the best Hamilton. My wife and I had tickets to the last show in Chicago but my son decided to be born 2 months early so we missed it, so we didn't get to see Miguel's farewell performance.