The timing for the blockbuster musical ‘Hamilton’ to hit Disney Plus for millions to now enjoy is……well, fascinating.
The talk of Broadway for a handful of years, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s revolutionary take on one of America’s founding fathers is…surprise, surprise…EXTREMELY topical, almost 250 years later. I’m talking BIG time topical given the events of the past few months, a short period in which everything that went into establishing a country is being explored…and being questioned. To say that adds a bit more mustard to what’s already a pretty hefty meal is an understatement.
One of a number of projects that had planned a theatrical release but went the streaming route instead due to COVID-19, ‘Hamilton’ had its work cut out for it even before quarantine – that is, live stage musicals don’t always transition well to the screen; the energy of the audience is THAT essential. Shrink the screen, and that climb becomes even more arduous. Yet, the uniqueness and energy of this presentation somehow makes it feel like we’re not missing out. Yes, I’d still take a seat in row four at the Richard Rodger’s theater over my recliner and very average 43 inch Toshiba; but given the obvious hurdles before it, ‘Hamilton’ is, without a doubt, a huge triumph.
The history lesson within the story….a fabled statesman, Alexander Hamilton (Miranda), who ran with the likes of George Washington (Christopher Jackson), Thomas Jefferson (Daveed Diggs), and James Madison (Okieriete Onaodowan), eventually founds, among other things, the U.S. financial system (he’s the dude on the ten dollar bill, y’know)….is decent. As far as historical accuracy goes, I wouldn’t necessarily toss out the textbooks. I mean, ‘Les Miserables’ gave a pretty good reprise of the French revolution, buuuut….
The real boldness of ‘Hamilton’…and there are a LOT of areas that Miranda and director Thomas Kail show tons of pluck…is in its imaginative music. It weaves together its tale with everything from electric show tunes to pop, hip-hop….you name it. And the huge benefit OF filming the show and carefully transitioning full stage views with intimate close-ups is the ability to capture some of raw, emotional feels from the actors. You wouldn’t necessarily pick up that stuff with balcony seats.
