‘HamilTen’ - it was only a matter of time

By Liv Dunleavy Asst. Arts & Features Editor

Liv Duneleavy / THE GATEPOST

How does a high-school outcast, awkward and picked last, cultivate an interest in a founding father’s collapse? Back in 2015, this would've done numbers on Tumblr, but after a decade, I fear I may be missing the mark on what’s cool to write as an opener to this article. With the announcement of the musical’s 10th anniversary, many Hamilfans realized just how old we are. Looking at where we are compared to where we started, Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Hip-Hop musical “Hamilton,” has carved itself into history, pace relentless, and wasting no time capturing the hearts of many. I remember clearly the days I would sit in class and listen to the soundtrack, hoping for a chance to see it live and somehow learning more about the American revolution through the musical than from my high school U.S. history teacher. Every year has been a consistent yet endless cycle of “I have definitely outgrown my Hamilton phase” and “I can’t believe I haven’t listened to Hamilton in so long - this is pure art.” “Hamilton” celebrated its 10 years of success Aug. 6 with an original cast reunion performance on Broadway and an extremely coveted fan lottery. With a prize of two seats in the crowd of the matinee performance, a VIP experience, and a chance at limited edition merchandise all for just a $10 donation, it seemed thousands of Hamilfans were entering every day of the sweepstake’s duration. The lottery supported the charity Hispanic Federation’s “Immigrants: We Get the Job Done Coalition,” with an estimated $3 million raised. There is a reason “Hamilton” has thrived and survived through the test of time, and will continue to change the musical scene forever. At the time it debuted, it was exactly what the world needed. It spoke to America’s political climate and though it may be 10 years later, the musical has only gotten more pertinent. In an interview with Ashby Florence, Christopher Jackson (who portrays George Washington in the musical) responded to the question of why this show in particular has such staying power in the musical scene after all these years. He said, “In the moment that we shared it, it was really speaking to the highest of all of our aspirations. It’s also a really interesting take on the fact that although we have changed and everything has shifted around, we are still kinda doing it the same way.” “History repeats itself,” said Florence. “If it doesn’t repeat, it definitely rhymes and echoes,” replied Jackson. And today that has never been more relevant. Every step of the way, “Hamilton” reminds us of the power of resilience and strength in numbers. The show is more relevant now than ever, with today's sociopolitical climate, the lessons learned from Hamilton and his comrade’s commitments to the revolution show us just how much passion it takes to revolt against a corrupt power. From the very start of Act I, “Hamilton” captures the listeners attention like no other. The amalgamation of stories that meld into one man's life in just under three hours somehow tell everything you need to know about Alexander Hamilton while also leaving you with a desire to learn more. Each character you meet in his life, the complicated pieces of his puzzle, are somehow complete by the end if not lost or broken. And that's the tragedy of the story in itself. Knowing how the story will end and yet you watch it every time in hopes it will somehow end in a happy satisfying way. There is something so satisfying in the unsatisfying ending. Watching through the whole musical, feeling every feeling with each and every character and living their lives alongside them. It gives them a human side that, although they were alive once, we never got to see. The portrayal of Hamilton and all of the cast within is a statement in itself but also legacy. A legacy grown from seeds of thought, planted in a garden they never got to see. There will never be another “Hamilton.” We play it loud, we say his name, in vain, in pain - Hamilton has written himself into history. Hopefully, we will one day raise our own glass to freedom, something they should never have taken away. For now, as the world turns upside down, I thank Hamilton for what he has given us, and “Hamilton” for what it can continue to teach. And you, reading this? Remember from here on in, history has its eyes on you.