Broadway musical Hamilton debuted in February of 2015.
It tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, American statesman who previously played an underappreciated part in our country’s history.
You likely know Hamilton best for being Secretary of the Treasury for George Washington, but that is just a small part of his legacy.
We saw the show at the Music Hall in Kansas City on Sunday. With capacity crowds, the norm nearly 60 thousand people will see Hamilton in KC. Hold on to your hat! Guessing the average ticket is $250.00 this run should gross over $14 million!!
Let me share some things we’ve learned.
Hamilton was an immigrant born in the British Isles to a mixed-race couple out of wedlock. He was orphaned but taken by a prosperous merchant who helped him find schooling and end up in America where he took an amazing route to become one of America’s founding fathers.
Alexander Hamilton accomplished a great deal; he is credited with founding America’s financial system and being the dominant writer of our constitution and much more, but he was not a saint.
He and his wife had 8 children but was rumored to have had a long relationship with his wife’s sister, but that was never confirmed.
Hamilton did have an affair that ruined his political aspirations thus making him America’s first politician felled by a sex scandal.
Alexander Hamilton was George Washington’s key ally both in the military and in politics.
Hamilton, the musical is about the founding of America and the unique and interesting characters involved.
Hamilton was created by 37-year-old Lin-Manual Miranda who went way outside the box to make compelling entertainment out of Cabinet meetings, political pamphleteering and debates over banking, according to the review I read.
The show is provocative for sure and Miranda showed his genius with major two decisions.
First, the music is all rap and hip hop. That got me because I don’t like either, but wow! it was effective.
Next, Miranda decided to make the race of the actors irrelevant. The show’s cast is filled mostly by African American actors even though the characters most of them played were, in fact white.
With race being not a concern American history takes center stage. That’s brilliant!
My reviewer wrote, If the revisionist magic of Hamilton works, it will inspire young fans to dig deeper into the stories of American revolutionists and not be put off by the fact that they were mostly white men in waistcoats That is exactly what Hamilton is doing – inspiring people to dig into the American story!
It’s the best stage show we’ve ever seen – period. Please, if possible find a way to go see Hamilton. It’s in Kansas City 7 more times including twice today.
I’m Steve Sauder
