- Jun 4, 2004
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Because you jokers need some culture
Hamilton is a currently performing Broadway musical. Nominated for a record 16 Tonys winning 11.
Back in August for a belated anniversary, my wife and I flew up to New York to see this show. Tickets are only available through resellers for inflated prices and we bought tickets before finding out many of the original cast would be leaving before our show. I'd go into it more but Hitler pretty much summed up the situation
https://youtu.be/LJSGK1DTuZY
Luckily for us the show was still amazing even with a newer cast. The music and sets were creative and entertaining the entire show. The performances were just awesome.
So what the heck is it about.
About 8 years ago Lin Manuel Miranda the writer/composer decided to do a concept album based on a person he read about whom he thought embodied hip-hop - Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton.
The music is a combination of hip-hop, R&B, rap, British Invasion, and others. It's an eclectic mix that somehow really really works.
He performed the title track at a White House poetry jam 6 years ago.
https://youtu.be/WNFf7nMIGnE
"How does a bastard .. orphan.. son of whore.. and a Scotsman dropped in a forgotten spot in the Caribbean...."
From there it morphed into one of the biggest broadway musicals ever.
The first song details his life from humble origins in the Caribbean, orphaned at 12 until he comes to New York City in his late teens.
There he meets his frenemy Aaron Burr and makes friends with the Marquis de Lafayette, John Laurens an abolitionist, and Hercules Mulligan a tailor who turns spy for the revolution.
Hamilton also meets his wife Eliza and becomes Washingtons right hand man. The first half is set during the revolution.
The songs "Guns and Ships", about preparing for the battle of Yorktown and shows off the casts singing prowess.
(Just like the music the actors are also a mix that looks like current America. So don't expect Washington, Jefferson and others to be played by old white guys.)
https://youtu.be/GAGZZflFRXU
This video from the Tony Awards of the Song Yorktown gives an idea what the actual performance is like. (Yorktown starts around 1:05). If you remember your history this was the last major battle of the revolution. (Also enjoy CBS completely blow censoring a four letter word from Hercules Mulligan the John Cena of Hamilton)
https://youtu.be/q3mVsd6uG4M
Comic relief comes in the form of mad King George who shows up from time to time to comment on the goings on. (He acts like a psychotic ex)
This video has three of his songs.
The show even has Cabinet Meeting Rap Battles. Who knew the Federal Government Assuming States Debt could be so entertaining:
https://youtu.be/Bb1XJCZtdt8
Finally checkout the Election of 1800 to see how every presidential election has been screwed up in one way or another.
https://youtu.be/LnHVFAm0TTk
If you are at all interested in the musical PBS is streaming an hour and half long look at the musical and the history of Hamilton. It has commentary from President Obama, Elizabeth Warren, Paul Ryan and President George W who had one line that made me and my wife crack up
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/hamiltonfullfilm/5801/
The entire soundtrack is on YouTube and since it's almost entirely sung you can listen to about 95% of the musical. I suggest the version with the lyrics so it's easier to keep track of who's talking.
If you like musicals, modern music, or history check it out. Enjoy!
Hamilton is a currently performing Broadway musical. Nominated for a record 16 Tonys winning 11.
Back in August for a belated anniversary, my wife and I flew up to New York to see this show. Tickets are only available through resellers for inflated prices and we bought tickets before finding out many of the original cast would be leaving before our show. I'd go into it more but Hitler pretty much summed up the situation
https://youtu.be/LJSGK1DTuZY
Luckily for us the show was still amazing even with a newer cast. The music and sets were creative and entertaining the entire show. The performances were just awesome.
So what the heck is it about.
About 8 years ago Lin Manuel Miranda the writer/composer decided to do a concept album based on a person he read about whom he thought embodied hip-hop - Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton.
The music is a combination of hip-hop, R&B, rap, British Invasion, and others. It's an eclectic mix that somehow really really works.
He performed the title track at a White House poetry jam 6 years ago.
https://youtu.be/WNFf7nMIGnE
"How does a bastard .. orphan.. son of whore.. and a Scotsman dropped in a forgotten spot in the Caribbean...."
From there it morphed into one of the biggest broadway musicals ever.
The first song details his life from humble origins in the Caribbean, orphaned at 12 until he comes to New York City in his late teens.
There he meets his frenemy Aaron Burr and makes friends with the Marquis de Lafayette, John Laurens an abolitionist, and Hercules Mulligan a tailor who turns spy for the revolution.
Hamilton also meets his wife Eliza and becomes Washingtons right hand man. The first half is set during the revolution.
The songs "Guns and Ships", about preparing for the battle of Yorktown and shows off the casts singing prowess.
(Just like the music the actors are also a mix that looks like current America. So don't expect Washington, Jefferson and others to be played by old white guys.)
https://youtu.be/GAGZZflFRXU
This video from the Tony Awards of the Song Yorktown gives an idea what the actual performance is like. (Yorktown starts around 1:05). If you remember your history this was the last major battle of the revolution. (Also enjoy CBS completely blow censoring a four letter word from Hercules Mulligan the John Cena of Hamilton)
https://youtu.be/q3mVsd6uG4M
Comic relief comes in the form of mad King George who shows up from time to time to comment on the goings on. (He acts like a psychotic ex)
This video has three of his songs.
- You'll be back - sung as the revolution starts. George wants to remind America of his love - or else...
- What comes next? - After Yorktown George wonders what comes....
- I know him - After Washington steps down from the Presidency King George wonders how he could step down and who will replace him
The show even has Cabinet Meeting Rap Battles. Who knew the Federal Government Assuming States Debt could be so entertaining:
https://youtu.be/Bb1XJCZtdt8
Finally checkout the Election of 1800 to see how every presidential election has been screwed up in one way or another.
https://youtu.be/LnHVFAm0TTk
If you are at all interested in the musical PBS is streaming an hour and half long look at the musical and the history of Hamilton. It has commentary from President Obama, Elizabeth Warren, Paul Ryan and President George W who had one line that made me and my wife crack up
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/hamiltonfullfilm/5801/
The entire soundtrack is on YouTube and since it's almost entirely sung you can listen to about 95% of the musical. I suggest the version with the lyrics so it's easier to keep track of who's talking.
If you like musicals, modern music, or history check it out. Enjoy!
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