Rhetor & Audience
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler
What historical figure was the musical centered on?
Alexander Hamilton
Why is telling Hamilton's complex story difficult?
Limited time and space in a theater
What's your name, man?
Alexander Hamilton
What is the main musical genre used during the musical?
Hip-hop
Who was the intended audience for the production?
Young diverse audience
What influenced Miranda to create the play Hamilton?
Lin-Manuel Miranda reading Ron Chernow's biography, Alexander Hamilton, on a personal vacation in 2008.
Why was every detail of Hamilton's life not included in the play?
Not big enough time frame for a play, must keep the audience engaged
Burr, you disgust me
Ah, so you've discussed me (Schuyler Sisters)
What other styles of music besides hip-hop were used in the musical?
R&B, pop, jazz, theater
Why was the cast of the Founding Fathers diverse?
Helps connect modern audiences with the story
What major American history time period does the musical occur in?
American Revolution
Why is turning historical events into a dramatic musical difficult?
Balancing the context with storytelling and a musical beat
You'll remember that I served you well
Oceans rise, empires fall (You'll Be Back)
Why does Hamilton rap quickly and use a large vocabulary?
To display Hamilton's ambition and quick-witted brain
What does Miranda want audiences to reconsider about the people who founded the United States?
The legacies, flaws, and ambition of the American Dream
What was Miranda's creative motivation for telling Hamilton's story through hip-hop and a diverse cast?
To make the era feel relevant and different from other musicals
Why might Miranda have changed some of the historical context in the musical?
The create clearer conflict and stronger characters
I'm coming home this summer at my sister's invitation
I'll be there with your family if you make your way upstate (Take a Break)
More traditional theater songs, with dry humor for entertainment, while still portraying him historically
How does presenting historical figures through modern performance entice an audience?
Challenges traditional ideas of telling history and making the story seem relevant
How did the musical become popular and reach the hearts of many people?
Increase in streaming service use during 2020 when Disney+ was launched
Why was it a difficult balance between the audience and the context when making the play?
Miranda had to make complex history understandable to most, but still engaging and representative of Hamilton
I stop wasting time on tears
I live another 50 years (Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story)
How does the combination of musical genres create a larger message?
Connects the founding era with the modern culture and displays the diversity that created America