Hamilton (musical)

The idea of ​​the musical arose from the composer and singer Lin-Manuel Miranda in 2008 while reading Hamilton’s biography. Free from the main work (playing in his own musical " On the Heights " ( eng. In the Heights ), he began working on a future musical.

On May 12, 2009, Miranda was invited to perform music from “On the Heights” at a poetry and music evening at the White House , but instead performed a draft version of the composition Alexander Hamilton , which would later become the first number of the musical ^[8] . After that, he spent about a year working on the number “My Shot” .

The first finished numbers of the musical (the entire first act and three songs from the second) to the accompaniment of piano ^[8] Miranda presented on July 27, 2013 at the student festival ^[9] . By the time the work on the musical was joined by director Thomas Kale ( eng. Thomas Kail ) and music director Alex Lakamore ( eng. Alex Lacamoire ).

The performance opened at the Off-Broadway Public Theater on February 17, 2015 ^{[10] [11]} . Prior to this, the musical was in the stage of pre-orders from January 20th. The director was Thomas Kale, choreography put Andy Blankenbueler . Because of the great interest in staging, the rental had to be extended twice: first, until April 5, then until May 3 ^[12] . Then "Hamilton" moved to the Broadway theater " Richard Rogers ", where from August 6, 2015 it will be stationary rental ^[13] .

His version of the musical put the theater of " Private Bank " in Chicago ^[14] .

American tour of the troupe is scheduled for 2017 ^[15] .

Also in 2017, it is planned to stage a musical in the UK, with the expectation of subsequent tours in Europe and Australia ^[16] .

Act I

The musical begins with a brief presentation of the early life of Alexander Hamilton , an orphan from the Caribbean islands (the composition “Alexander Hamilton” ), who began working at the age of 14, and also read all the books he could find. The leaders of the local church community raised money and sent the young man to receive education on the mainland.

In the summer of 1776 in New York, Hamilton is looking for Aaron Burr . He wants to know how he managed to get an education in just two years, because he also wants to learn as soon as possible. Burr advises him to "talk less, smile more," that is, instead of learning self-promotion and making useful contacts ( "Aaron Burr, Sir" ). Hamilton rejects this advice and joins the revolutionaries they met, John Lawrence , the Marquis de Lafayette and Hercules Mulligan , impressed by their oratory ( "My Shot" ). Together they dream to give their lives for the cause of the revolution ( "The Story of Tonight" ). At this time, the rich sisters Skyler - Angelica , Eliza and Peggy wander the streets of New York, excited by the soaring spirit of the revolution ( "The Schuyler Sisters" ).

Bishop Samuel Siberi in his sermon, he warns against the revolution, but Hamilton refutes and makes fun of him ( Farmer Refuted ). The message of King George III is announced, in which he, with exhortations and threats, is trying to cool the revolutionary fervor of the colonists ( “You'll Be Back” ).

The American Revolution begins; Hamilton, Burr and their friends join the Continental Army . The army is retreating, and General George Washington realizes that he needs help. Although Hamilton wants to fight at the front, he still accepts Washington’s offer to become his adjutant ( “Right Hand Man” ).

In the winter of 1780, Hamilton attended the ball with Philip Skyler ( "A Winter's Ball" ). Eliza instantly falls in love with him, and soon they get married ( Helpless ). Angelica also pulls in to Hamilton, but she hides her feelings for the sake of her sister's happiness ( “Satisfied” ). Burr arrives. He tells Hamilton that he started an affair with the wife of a British officer. Hamilton advises him to marry ( “The Story of Tonight (Reprise)” ), but Burr wants to wait and see what life prepares for him ( “Wait For It” ).

The revolution continues. Hamilton asks Washington to entrust him with command of the troops, but he appoints General Charles Lee commanders. Lee soon violates the order of Washington, which leads to a disastrous defeat at Monmouth . Suspended from command, Lee dismisses slanderous rumors about Washington. Hamilton is offended, but Washington orders him not to interfere. Then Hamilton's friend Lawrence summons Lee to a duel ( "Stay Alive" ). Lawrence manages to injure Lee ( "Ten Duel Commandments" ). Upon learning of the duel, Washington, angered, sends Hamilton home ( “Meet Me Inside” ). At home, Eliza tells Hamilton that she is pregnant ( "That Would Be Enough" ).

Lafayette convinces France to support the American Revolution, and the advantage is on the side of the Continental Army. Washington understands that he can win the war by blocking the British fleet in Yorktown , but for this he needs Hamilton. With reluctance, he makes him a commander ( “Guns and Ships” ).

On the eve of the battle, Washington recalls its unfortunate first command and tells Hamilton that a person cannot choose what descendants will remember ( “History Has Its Eyes on You” ). After several days of fighting, the Continental Army wins ( “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down) . ” Defeated King George III questioning the insurgents as they plan to rule the country without causing hatred of the people ( “What Comes Next?” ).

Hamilton has a son Philip, and Burr a daughter Theodosius ( “Dear Theodosia” ). Hamilton learns that Lawrence was killed in a skirmish with the retreating British soldiers after the end of the war ( “Tomorrow There'll Be More Of Us” ). Together with Burr Hamilton returned to New York to complete the study of jurisprudence. In the summer of 1787, Hamilton was elected delegate to the Philadelphia Convention . The newly elected first president of Washington appoints Hamilton as finance minister . Hamilton's career success causes Burr to burn with envy ( “Non-Stop” ).

Act II

In 1789, Thomas Jefferson became Secretary of State . Deputy Madison asks him to stop the adoption of the new financial plan of Hamilton, which provides for centralized economic management, taking this right from the states ( “What'd I Miss?” ). Disagreements appear during a meeting of Jefferson and Hamilton in the Cabinet . Washington requires Hamilton to find a compromise ( "Cabinet Battle # 1" ).

Eliza reminds Hamilton of Philip's ninth birthday. The son makes a short speech about how amazing his father is. Eliza, along with Angelica, who arrived from England, goes to visit her father in Albany . Hamilton refuses to accompany them, referring to working affairs ( “Take a Break” ).

Left alone, Hamilton is visited by a young woman, Maria Reynolds ( English ), who claims that her husband treats her badly. When Hamilton offers to help her, she seduces him, and they begin an affair. Maria's husband demands money from Hamilton, threatening to tell his wife about treason ( “Say No To This”) otherwise.

Hamilton again discusses his financial plan with Jefferson. This time they manage to come to an agreement: Jefferson will support the plan, subject to the transfer of the capital ( English ) from New York to Washington . Burr envies Hamilton's opportunities and dreams of gaining the same power ( "The Room Where It Happens" ).

Burr beats Philip Skyler in the race for Senate seats. Hamilton calls Burr an unprincipled politician who changes beliefs for his own benefit ( "Schuyler Defeated" ).

At the next cabinet meeting, Jefferson and Hamilton are arguing over whether the United States should help the French Revolution . Washington takes Hamilton’s side and declares neutrality ( “Cabinet Battle # 2” ). Annoyed by Jefferson with the help of Burr and Madison, he begins to look for a way to destroy Hamilton's reputation ( Washington on Your Side ).

Washington resigns, and Jefferson decides to run for his post. Hamilton is amazed, but Washington convinces him that everything is being done correctly. Together they write Washington's Farewell Message ( “One Last Time” ). The new president is elected John Adams . The news of this fact makes George III happy - he believes that the gentle and indecisive Adams will not cope with the government ( “I Know Him” ).

As Hamilton gets involved in controversy with the new president ( “The Adams Administration” ), Burr, Jefferson and Madison will learn about his affair with Maria Reynolds. Hamilton asks them to keep this secret ( "We Know" ). But he does not trust them. Remembering how openness and honesty helped him in the past ( “Hurricane” ) and hoping to preserve his reputation and career, Hamilton was the first to publicly talk about his infidelity ( “The Reynolds Pamphlet” ). His personal life, however, is destroyed. Insulted and frustrated, Eliza burns their correspondence ( “Burn” ).

Years pass, and the son of Hamilton, Philip, duels a certain George Iker for slandering his father. Philip purposely aims at the air, but Iker shoots straight at him ( "Blow Us All Away" ). Hamilton takes the wounded Philip to the doctor, but he dies ( "Stay Alive (Reprise)" ). After the death of her son, Hamilton asks Eliza for forgiveness and finally receives it ( “It's Quiet Uptown” ).

In the next presidential election, Jefferson and Burr receive an equal number of electoral votes. The House of Representatives cannot choose a new president either. Hamilton understands that Burr again changed his ideals for personal gain and therefore convinces delegates to vote for Jefferson ( "The Election of 1800" ). Enraged Burr summons Hamilton to a duel ( "Your Obedient Servant") . On a duel day before sunrise, Hamilton tells Eliza about his love for her ( "Best of Wives and Best of Women" ).

Burr and Hamilton arrive at Vihoken , the place where Philip was shot dead. Hamilton makes a monologue about death, his relationship and his legacy. He points the gun at the sky and takes a deadly bullet from Burr. Burr, however, regrets that he survived - in fact in history he will remain as the killer of Alexander Hamilton ( "The World Was Wide Enough" ).

All the actors are going to. Washington reminds viewers that a person cannot influence his posthumous memory. Jefferson and Madison recognize the work of their rival ingenious. Eliza talks about how she preserves the legacy of her husband and regrets that she didn’t do enough. She asks the audience who will tell their story after death. And when she dies, Hamilton shows her all those who will take care and protect her legacy, as she did for him before ( “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” ).

The cast of the musical is ethnically diverse ^{[2] [5]} (the so-called color-blind casting ) and does not reflect the real racial and national identity of historical persons.

The musical part of the show consists of a unique mix of hip-hop , R & B , dancehall , funk , as well as music for musicals ( English ).
In the compositions there are references to well-known rap compositions of such artists and groups as Notorius B.I.G. , Jay-Z , D-Mx , Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five , Beastie Boys , Mobb Deep , A Tribe Called Quest, and others ^[20] .

In 2015, the soundtrack of the musical came out ( English ), which became the first of its kind to win the first place on the rap chart of Billboard ^[21] and 12th place on the Billboard Top 200 . In 2016, the album won the Grammy Award for the best album based on theatrical musical .

¹ Композиция «Tomorrow There'll Be More Of Us» , ещё одна реприза «The Story of Tonight» , не включена в альбом, и считается скорее сценой, нежели песней ^[22] .

По сравнению с внебродвейской постановкой мюзикла, поздние версии некоторых песен отличаются от ранних своей продолжительностью и имеют небольшие изменения в тексте.

Хотя сюжет мюзикла в основном следует реальной биографии Александра Гамильтона, в нём допущен ряд исторических неточностей и художественных допущений:

• Роль Бёрра в жизни Гамильтона явно завышена (особенно в первом акте). Настоящий Бёрр меньше контактировал с Гамильтоном, нежели показано в мюзикле, и Гамильтон не считал его своим другом.
• Также Гамильтон не предлагал Бёрру писать вместе с ним статьи в защиту Конституции (The Federalist Papers.)
• Анжелика Скайлер уже была замужем, когда она познакомилась с Гамильтоном. Она не возвращалась в Америку после публикации памфлета о Рейнольдсах.
• В реальности Бёрр никогда не менял партий, он самого начала был антифедералистом и демократо-республиканцем.
• Адамс и Гамильтон действительно не ладили друг с другом, но до открытой вражды их отношения не доходили.
• На самом деле Адамс не увольнял Гамильтона, тот подал в отставку ещё во время президентства Вашингтона.
• Джефферсон, Бёрр и Мэдисон не пытались шантажировать Гамильтона, узнав о его измене. На самом деле это были Джеймс Монро и Фредерик Муленберг ^[23] .
• Джефферсон действительно враждовал с Гамильтоном, но вовсе не был столь коварен и мстителен.
• Джордж Икер не стрелял в Филиппа Гамильтона до завершения обратного отсчета, и сама дуэль произошла уже после выборов 1800-го года.
• Джефферсон не обращался к Гамильтону за поддержкой на выборах.
• К дуэли между Бёрром и Гамильтоном привели вовсе не выборы 1800 года. Поводом к ней стало опубликование в прессе письмо Чарльза Купера, адресованное Филиппу Скайлеру, в котором тот утверждал, что Гамильтон назвал Бёрра «опасным человеком, которому нельзя доверять бразды правления» и что Гамильтон высказал ещё более презрительное мнение о Бёрре в беседе с ним ^[24] .
• Современные историки постепенно отходят от традиционного утверждения, что несколько отцов-основателей создали США, и в связи с этим критикуют мюзикл за игнорирование роли простого народа в Американской революции ^[25] .

Несмотря на это, школьные учителя рекомендуют мюзикл своим ученикам, для того чтобы они узнали больше об истории США ^[26] .

Офф-Бродвей

Бродвей

• На высотах — первый мюзикл Лин-Мануэля Миранды .
• 1776 — мюзикл 1969 года о подписании Декларации независимости США .
• Кровавый Эндрю Джексон — мюзикл 2010 года о седьмом президенте США и основании демократической партии страны .

• Official site
• Listen to the musical soundtrack on Yandex.Music or Spotify
• Buy a musical soundtrack on iTunes or Google Play
• Analysis of the texts of the musical on Genius.com
• Hamilton musical on Internet Broadway Database (eng.)
• The Hamilton musical on the Internet off-Broadway Database (English)