Essay on Lin-Manuel Miranda: Broadway's Supreme Leader & His Historic Musical 'Hamilton'

Introduction

In recent history, there is one man who stands supreme in his efforts in Broadway Musical and he is, 'Lin-Manuel Miranda' and his most successful piece is "Hamilton". This piece is simply a work of art together with its unmatched box office achievement, it also gained fame by the celebrity appearances, hailed by critics worldwide. the musical won 'Pulitzer Prize Drama' in 2016, broke the record by receiving 16 nominations in the 2016 'Tony Awards' winning 11 statutes, plus the George Washington Book Prize' and 'Kennedy Prize Drama'. Furthermore, in 2015 the writer Lin-Manuel Miranda was selected for the 'MacArthur "Genius" Fellow' and his work in Hamilton mainly contributed to this (Miranda, 2016). The musical unsurprisingly uses musical numbers and songs to tell the tale of 'Alexander Hamilton' one of America's founding fathers. In the piece music is at the core of the story, not only do they use traditional music but also modern American musical styles particularly rap and hip-hop. The aim of the study is to look at the plot, characters of the story by analyzing them (with the use of quotes), study up on the real-life people portrayed in the musical, and stating similarities and differences with their acting counterparts.

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Act I

Hamilton Migrates to America

First, we convey the plot of the story and how Manuel uses 46 original tracks to help tell the story of Alexander Hamilton in a show that takes roughly two hours and thirty-minutes without counting the breaks. The show starts with the cast introducing Alexander Hamilton as a child orphan in the 'Nevis Islands' (with Alexander Hamilton song). and after his mother's death at age 12 he made it to America's colonies at age 19 in 1776 and began supporting the American Revolution fighting for their independence. The year 1776 Hamilton looks for Aaron Burr in the city of New York and advises Hamilton not to be over-excited and for him to "talk less, smile more". In (the song Sir) Hamilton wonders why Burr would rather keep quiet than fight for his rights, later bonding with three revolutionaries; Marquis de Lafayette a Frenchman who was Flamboyant in his style, John Laurens an abolitionist and Hercules Mulligan a tailor's apprentice.

Hamilton Starts a Family

In Hamilton's rhetorical skills he dazzles his newfound friends (with My Shot song), and they dream of dying for the foundation in (song The Story of Tonight). A bunch of affluent sisters, Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy Schuyler strolls New York streets overjoyed with the revolutionary spirit in the air (The Schuyler Sisters song). A verbal Loyalist calling himself Samuel Seabury start to preach against the American Revolution with Hamilton and his friends refuting his point of view (Farmer Refuted song). In a heated debate a letter from King George III stating to the colonists that he has the ability to combat for their submission (You'll be Back song). The year 1780 a ball arranged by Philip Schuyler where the men attend the ceremony, where Hamilton admires of one of his daughters (A Winter's Ball song), and Hamilton weds Eliza after she falls madly in love with him (Helpless song). Angelica another daughter has feelings for Hamilton but ignore them for her sister's sake (Satisfied song), in the midst of celebrating the wedding Burr arrives to join the gang (Hamilton, Lafayette, Laurens and Mulligan) where Burr confesses to having an affair with a British officer's wife, Theodosia Bartow Prevost (The Story of Tonight song). With Hamilton Encouraging his friend Burr to go public but Aaron wants to wait and see where life will take him (Wait For It).

The Continental Army

Hamilton begs Washington Continuously to give him leadership status in the revolutionary war, with Washington refusing and giving it to Charles Lee, the order proves catastrophic when Lee retreat against orders in the Battle of Monmouth where the commander Washington demotes him with Lafayette in mind (McDonald, 1982). Anger drives Lee to spread rumors about the commander (Stay Alive), Washington orders Hamilton not to interfere after he gets mad about the comments, with Lauren willing to duel Lee. Lee is injured (Ten Duel Commandments) and he yields. The commander commands Hamilton to go back to his family angered by his actions (Meet Me Inside), arriving home Eliza Informs him she is pregnant and he doesn't need fortune or fame to be happy with her (That Would Be Enough). Lafayette is further promoted in the insurgency persuading France to join the war and favor shifts to the Continental Army side, they understand they can triumph the battle by wounding the British at Yorktown and want Hamilton for the job where Washington readily promotes him (Guns and Ships).

The Revolution Wins the War

Washington narrates while recalling his first command to Hamilton, "no man can control how he is remembered" (History Has Its Eyes On You), the British surrender subsequently numerous days of intense fighting (Yorktown' The World Turned Upside Down'). King George now beaten asks the victors how they plan to run their government successfully (What Comes Next). Hamilton gets a son Philip whereas Burr gets a daughter Theodosia (Dear Theodosia), Laurens dies away at war and Hamilton in grief start to work viciously (Tomorrow There'll Be More Of Us). With Burr and Hamilton returning to New York to finalize on their education to become lawyers, Hamilton inflexible work ethic doesn't go unnoticed by Burr who envies him. The summer of 1787 Hamilton is appointed in the Constitutional Convention, he recruits John Jay and James Madison after rejection from Burr to come up with the "Federalist Papers". Now President Washington appoints Secretary of Treasury to Hamilton despite protests from her wife (Non-Stop).

Act II

Jefferson Returns to America

Thomas Jefferson arrives from France to the U.S in 1789 where he was an ambassador, on his return Washington ask him to be Secretary of State (Hamilton, 2013). James Madison requests Jefferson to aid him to end Hamilton Economic strategy that gives the administration too much power, (What'd I Miss), in a cabinet summit Hamilton and Jefferson discuss over the plan with Washington telling Hamilton to find a compromise in Congress (Cabinet Battle #1). However, at home, Eliza recaps Hamilton of his son's birthday, with Angelica advising him on ways to convince Congress, and Angelica and Eliza trying to convince him of going to vacation with them, but Hamilton refuses to place essence in his work whereas the family goes upstate (Take a Break). Hamilton home by himself encounters Maria Reynolds a woman claiming to be deserted by her husband and they begin an affair with James Reynolds Maria's husband extorting Hamilton of money but continues with the affair (Say No To This).

The Compromise of 1790

A private ceremonial dinner is set between Jefferson, Hamilton and Madison that gave rise to the "Compromise of 1790", Hamilton economic strategy gaining support in interchange of switching the capital city from New York to Washington D.C. Hamilton's power makes Burr jealous (The Room Where it Happens) with Burr switching political parties by defeating Philip Schuyler's senate seat, thus creating an enmity between Hamilton and Burr (Schuyler Defeated). Hamilton and Jefferson have an argument over helping France in a war with Britain, and Washington intercedes supporting Hamilton (Cabinet Battle #2), Jefferson, Madison and Burr look for a way to harm Hamilton's public appearance (Washington on Your Side). Hamilton is informed of Jefferson's resignation and Washington is also stepping down both writing a departure message (One Last Time). King George hears of Washington's resignation and leaps up in joy believing the United States to suffer politically because of transitioning power to John Adams (I Know Him)

The Publication in the Reynold's Pamphlet

Hamilton is suspended and writes an incendiary article about John Adams (The Adams Administration), Burr, Jefferson, and Madison believe to have uncovered an embezzlement plan thus committing treason. Hamilton confesses of having an affair and paying his mistresses' husband (We Know), though being promised for his revelation to be kept secret (Hurricane) hoping to kill the rumors of embezzlement he publishes his affair to the public to save his political legacy. Publicizing the affair in (Reynold's pamphlet) he damaged his marriage with Eliza (Burn), being critical of Hamilton George Eacker is challenged by Philip to a duel, instructed by his father Hamilton Philip yields while Eacker kills him (Blow Us All Away).

Death of Alexander Hamilton

Philip dies in hospital (Stay Alive) while his parents reconcile (Its Quiet Uptown). Jefferson is endorsed by Hamilton in the 1800 election (The Election of 1800) fueling the enmity between Burr and Hamilton who contests him to a gunfight (Your Obedient Servant). While Hamilton is writing his letter and Eliza begging him to go to bed (Best of Wives and Best of Women), with Hamilton plus Burr traveling for the duel. With Hamilton intentionally missing Burr shoots him dead, and Burr laments to be cursed to be recalled as an antagonist (The World Was Wide Enough). The show closes with Eliza keeping Hamilton's heritage active. (Who Lives Who Dies Who Tells Your Story).

The Character of Alexander Hamilton

The tale of Hamilton has brought a lot of attention for the merging of hip hop and music in theater, the curious fusion of a hip hop set musical that is fixed and written for the 18th century and more for an American founding father. One of the most significant characters in our music is our protagonist Alexander Hamilton, the entire musical basically shows his rise to be one of the most influential men in America to his fall at the end (Chernow, 2016). The show is set in the the18th century during the beginning of America as a nation in the American Revolution. Being born in the Caribbean islands to a poor background and later orphaned that's why he is so ambitious to overcome it, Hamilton is an ingenious, scrappy and opinionated person. For his opinionated and passionate nature, Hamilton is always at odds with his nemesis Aaron Burr stating that he doesn't have any beliefs.

Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton was portrayed by the composer of the whole musical Lin-Manuel Miranda, born in New York by two Puerto Rican immigrants who were both activists of the Latino community. Lin-Manuel Miranda attended Hunter College a prestigious prep school, attending the school from elementary to high school. He loved performing in plays and theater earning leading roles in many musicals like Peter Pan, West Side Story and 'Bye Bye Birdie' as early as from the sixth grade (Miranda, 2015). For Manuel family is core to his life and his success his father is his manager scheduling his time while his sister is an executive in 5000 Broadway Production Inc. a Lin-Manuel company. Lin-Manuel Miranda has been motivated by several things but the chief factors are from recent memory, in 2012 he collaborated with Stephen Schwartz a legend in composing musical theater. Another factor is from 2011-2013 he appeared in several Tv shows the most significant was the portrayal of Dr. Ruben in Do No Harm an NBC series.

Conclusion

This musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda talks about several things, taking its audience round through a dramatic and momentous tale of an American founding father in an innovative way that combines hip-hop and musical theatrical style (Monteiro,89-98). A retelling of this tale in history is stylish and fresh and could be otherwise boring and stale if told in another way, a meticulous catchy score that keeps the audience attached all through the story. Breaking hip-hop records for a stage musical charting at number 12on Billboard 200 for an album of an ensemble cast.

Works Cited

Chernow, Ron. Alexander Ha...