Until I remembered I have no idea what Hamilton is about.
I’m not kidding. I, friend of Jamie, who brought Hamilton to TN’s attention back in Spring of 2015 when it was still off-Broadway. I, owner of Pop Culture Blog (reminder I know nothing about Pop Culture). I, friend of Beth who has full-on broken into rap in Dougal’s Beard’s kitchen while I stared in confusion until she said “Hamilton.” (To which I was only slightly less confused) I, lover of History. I, resident of the United States of America in 2017.
I don’t know what Hamilton is about. So, here is what I think it’s about.
Alexander Hamilton
He looks SO familiar…
Okay even I know that line from that (opening?) song. “Alexander Hamilton” (pretend I’m slightly whisper-singing in your ear right now), and I’m “smart” enough to know the show revolves around him.
Hamilton had… something to do with money
But I don’t know much more than that. I think maybe his signature is on our money? I could cheat and pull out one of my dolla dolla bills to check, but I won’t. I believe he did something with our treasury. Maybe founded it, if that’s a thing. Or maybe he was a Secretary .. under…. some President.
Hamilton was a guy
I BELIEVE there is a line about him being a “Son of a whore.” And I THINK He’s played by Lin Manuel Miranda (the show’s creator), and I THINK ultimately we’re not supposed to like him (Hamilton, not Lin). But I’m not sure why.
This is probably Hamilton. Source
The story takes place After the Revolutionary War…
I think.
I believe Alexander Hamilton lived right around when our country was founded. I don’t know if he signed the Declaration of Independence, but I’d say that’s a great guess. And since that happened in Philadelphia, where I reside, maybe he even lived here. Maybe he lived in my neighborhood. That would be ironic. Let’s go with that. Alexander Hamilton is from Fishtown, Philadelphia.
The original cast is no longer in the show.
Lin Manuel Miranda has gone on to make cute Instagram videos and film stuff with James Corban. Leslie Odom Jr. (who I didn’t know what in Hamilton until I just turned on the soundtrack and saw she’s listed on the first song) has made a name for herself in movies.
Guys, I have to confess. I just googled Leslie Odom Jr. because something didn’t feel right and I wanted to make sure I got the right girl. Turns out Leslie Odom Jr. is a guy. He IS in Hamilton. Maybe he plays Hamilton. I honestly have NO idea.
The show is traveling right now.
And it’s in Chicago. I know this for a FACT because my cousin just posted about seeing it this weekend. And the lottery is open for the showings in LA. Or maybe it started in LA already. Can it be in LA and Chicago AND NYC at the same time? Is it still on stage in New York?
I really don’t know anything about Hamilton.
There is a “modern” retelling of the soundtrack.
That’s a strange way to put it considering the musical is modern, however, I think I mean there were famous musicians (More famous than Leslie Odom Jr, the man) who covered Hamilton’s songs. I haven’t listened to the full Hamilton soundtrack ONCE, but I did stream the pop version of the soundtrack for a few days last year.
Hamilton wasn’t a great guy.
I honestly can’t tell you why. But I think we’re supposed to hate Hamilton. Or maybe Hamilton did good but was a controversial figure ? It think he wanted something to do with an American Monarch….
Yeah, so go see Hamilton in Chicago or maybe LA . Or maybe see if Leslie Odom Jr. is still performing in NYC. He might play Hamliton . Or not at all. I honestly have no idea what Hamilton is about.
So to the podcasters on The Weeds, I guess I can’t confirm for SURE that we need a Hamilton-like pop culture phenom to educated us all about Reconstruction in American History, but it might help me remember the important details of that time period. Unless I miss it altogether, like Hamilton. Then it’s probably not going to do ME any good.
Can anyone tell me what Hamilton is about? Did I get ANYTHING right?
