Let's Talk About Theatre

There are too many different topics to speak about for Hamilton: Race, History, etc. 

Lin Manuel Miranda’s vision for the musical is full of complexity. 

Miranda’s idea for Hamilton is a fan-fiction. He wanted everyone, no matter their race or ethnicity, to see themselves in the story.

In an Interview Miranda speaks about how we only learn History from the people who tell it to us. History is biased because everyone has their own interpretations. 

His example of this is how Eliza and Angelica have different interpretations in the songs, “Helpless” and “Satisfied.” They both meet Hamilton at the same event, but they have different stories. 

In 2016, Hamilton stars gave Mike Pence a message stating, “We are the diverse America.” 

Miranda cast a multiracial cast in roles that were traditional white men. Unfortunately, there were individuals who did not support or accept this. 

One headline for the Hollywood Reporter says, “White Actors Suing ‘Hamilton’ for Discrimination.” 

There were white actors that went to the Supreme Court, because Miranda decided to only have a person of color play George Washington. In the end, the Supreme Court did dismiss the case. 

I believe Hamilton is amazing, but I do want to recognize its flaws. 

One review for Hamilton that speaks to me states, “Hamilton is a flawed play about flawed people written by an imperfect person that gave my flawed and imperfect little life a big boost when I needed it most, so again I know I am biased.”

I don’t know if we can speak about Hamilton today, without having the conversation of the recent complaints. There are many recent complaints of Hamilton ignoring the legacy of slavery. 

Miranda made these men look like heroes, when they were not.

Miranda recognized the complaints stating, “All the criticisms are valid. The sheer tonnage of complexities & failings of these people I couldn’t get. Or wrestled with but cut. I took 6 years and fit as much as I could in a 2.5-hour musical. Did my best. It’s all fair game.” 

Hamilton had flaws within its story, but with us recognizing that we are recongizeing the importance of conversation with History and Race. 

Hamilton is complex, because of all of the things that make it brilliant and imperfect. The musical got people talking and moved important conversations forward. 

The end of Hamilton ends with “Who lives, Who dies, Who tells your story?”