I’ll admit, I didn’t know the soundtrack to Hamilton super well when T turned it on in the delivery room. I knew it was a show I wanted to see at some point, that I find Lin Manuel-Miranda an inspiring unstoppable force and that the music was unique and catchy. That’s about it. I don’t remember the exact song that was playing (hello, epidural) but the musical’s soundtrack was totally in the room where it happened.
Fast forward to December 2016 when I was trying to find T the perfect gift for Christmas. I was struggling to decide when I got a text from my friend who found herself unable to attend with two tickets to sell. Did I want them? Oh yes. Yes I did.
T and I decided to make a weekend of it, staying the night at The Redbury Hotel and also making plans to attend The Magician at The NoMad in addition to the second day of The New York Baby Show. Our tickets were for the 2PM Hamilton showing. I was excited to get to see Michael Luwoye star in the role of Hamilton — a fellow Huntsville native and a graduate of The University of Alabama.
There was something about the moment we finally walked thorough the door of the Richard Rodgers Theatre almost a year ago. I’m a bit delayed in posting about going but I remember the feeling when we got there just like it was yesterday. After waiting for so long, I couldn’t believe we were finally there! There is no way we would have been there without the kindness of my friend.
Typically, I am underwhelmed about almost anything I’ve listened to more than a year of hype about and not experienced myself — but Hamilton proved to be an exception. It’s just so different than any other show I’ve been to — and, while I don’t see a ton of shows, I admittedly have seen much more than the average attendee. The rap format makes for a different vibe for the show and also means you have to pay extra attention to keep up with all the details coming your way! Good problem, I say.
There are several articles online too from those critiquing the framing of the story — who Alexander Hamilton really was and how Manuel-Miranda opted to angle the story arc. Even the choices he made in opting for a diverse cast. I wish my mom was here for a post-show discussion. A retired history teacher who spent many years teaching American History, my mom so wanted to see the show herself. I’ve wondered what she would say, though think the fact she wanted to see it gives me at least a partial answer.
One random comment… I was surprised just how much I loved the numbers with King George. Catchy enough on the soundtrack, I couldn’t get enough of these or stop laughing during the show. I had to track this down afterward since I couldn’t get this one out of my head.
This week, almost a year after we went to Hamilton, my dad and I made our way to a very appropriate spot — the site of the notorious duel between Hamilton and Burr (sir).
It’s very understated – a spot appropriately along Hamilton Avenue in Weehawken, New Jersey. There’s no simple way to park there as it’s tucked into a residential community.
On the backside towards the overlook with Manhattan on the other side there is a rock with a simple statement about Hamilton. I’m reminded by something my mom always said — “Up here, there are so many little historical sites” — and visiting this one this sunny May day made me smile and think about her.
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