"Hamilton"

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Happy Birthday, America!

"Hamilton" is a live Broadway musical that originally started playing in 2015. Five years later, on July 3, 2020, it started streaming on Disney+. The version on Disney+ was filmed from the Broadway musical over the course of three days. "Hamilton" was already very popular and well-loved, but it hit a new level of success when it started streaming. It was something positive to focus on in the midst of the pandemic when staying home was the norm.

However, I was not subscribing to any streaming service at the time, so I did not watch it then. Now that I subscribe to Disney+, I finally watched it a few days ago. I've had it on my watchlist to enjoy around Independence Day.

"Hamilton", the musical, was inspired by the book, "Alexander Hamilton", by Ron Chernow. The genius who composed the musical is Lin-Manuel Miranda. It tells the story of one of our Founding Fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury. And it uses a good bit of rap music to do so.

In my experience, people either seem to love it or have a strong dislike for it. Honestly, I can see both sides. It all depends on your perspective. If you're looking for a historically accurate portrayal, you're going to be disappointed. Maybe even offended. It is based on facts, but not all of it is factual. 

If you're looking at it from a creative perspective, you'll view it differently. This is how I see it. Almost all of the actors are minorities, which is of course not the way it really was back then. The music is ear-catching. I'm not usually a fan of rap music, but it really works in "Hamilton". It's history being told from a modern day perspective. It had my attention, which is saying a lot since History was my least favorite subject in school.

You can't believe everything you hear or see on television. That goes for "Hamilton" and applies to literally everything else on television as well. However, what this musical did for me is make me curious to learn more. While I was watching it, I stopped it several times to look things up and learn more. Even after it was over, I was still doing some online research about Alexander Hamilton. It sparked my interest in listening to the audiobook that inspired it, which I immediately borrowed from the library after watching the musical. No other musical that I've seen has had this much of an impact on me. 

Some people criticize the fact that slavery is not accurately portrayed in this musical, if at all. I agree that it isn't, and so does the composer himself. However, that is what history books and classes are for. We should never forget that slavery is part of our history, but "Hamilton" is meant to entertain. How can you have an upbeat, entertaining musical if it's about slavery? There are other resources from which we can get that information.

I will most likely watch "Hamilton" again if it's still streaming on Disney+ next July 4th weekend. I have a feeling it will be. I know I did not pick up on all of the details, so I'll watch it again for that purpose, as well as for the pure enjoyment of it.