Hamilton was released on Disney+ on July 3, 2020. In the midst of a deadly global pandemic Disney was kind enough to gift us Hamilton as a “movie.” Is it really a movie? No, but that doesn’t really matter.
This version is the Broadway show, with the original cast, professionally shot on Broadway. After watching way too many YouTube videos on how Hamilton was filmed I can now say that I have a new appreciation for professionally shot Broadway musicals. They are expensive to film and it would be hard to do that with every musical that comes through Broadway.
ANYWAY…. Releasing Hamilton at this time, during this moment in history seems important.
One that maybe more people should be paying attention to. Disney had not planned on releasing Hamilton this early, and I wonder what really made them move up the release? Obviously the pandemic has had a terrible effect on the entertainment industry. Recording studios, film studios, concert halls and movie theaters are all shut. All closed due to coronavirus. People are staying home more, whether there are stay at home orders in place or not. I know that personally I don’t go to stores or restaurants very often. I’ve sat down to eat at a restaurant twice since March. I relegate my “out and about” shopping to one day a week, at non peak hours usually, and then I either go home, or drive around listening to audio books.
When I heard it was releasing on Disney+ so early I almost screamed out loud. In my mind I was freaking out like a school girl asked out on a first date with her high school crush. I was so excited and nervous. What if it isn’t as good as it is in my head? What is it is?
I planned out what the morning of Friday July 3rd would look like. I didn’t have to work because it was my day off for the Independence Day holiday. So that Friday I had the whole day to myself.
I woke up early. I made coffee. I watched Hamilton, only getting up to use the restroom during the Intermission.
It has been the best morning of the pandemic to date.
Hamilton exceeded my expectations. It is so beautiful. The music, choreography, and cast performances, it was more than I could have dreamed.
Since it’s release, reviews from people of all sorts have popped up online. I watched a YouTube video of a guy who identifies as “metal” watching a performance of Yorktown and smiled as he lost his mind over the wordplay, the rhythm, the pacing, and the dancing. Hamilton doesn’t just appeal to Broadway musical nerds.
One thing I haven’t seen a lot of discussion about is the historical significance. Not of the historical context of the musical. I’m sure that since this musical debuted on Broadway people are more interested in Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Marquis de Lafayette, Hercules Mulligan and other figures of the Revolutionary War. The amount of historical videos that have surfaced on YouTube regarding these men is evidence enough of that. Not to mention I’m sure the google analytics for “who is Alexander Hamilton” would show a dramatic increase.
What I’m talking about is the historical significance of Hamilton coming out now, in this moment in time. When we are in the midst of a global pandemic, historic unemployment, and maybe most important of all, civil unrest.
On May 25, Memorial Day, when George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer by kneeling on his neck for over 8 minutes, the spirit of America woke up. The America that fights for what is right. The America that acknowledges injustice and fights to correct it. The spirit of the men and women of colonial America.
That spirit woke up, and it is pissed.
The last 2 months have been full of protests and rallies. Some peaceful and some not. People of all sorts have come together to fight for the injustice that is rampant in America. It’s not just America. All over the world people have come out to protest. To tell our leadership, “Hey! You can’t treat us like this. You can’t treat people like this. We need change and we need it now.”
When Hamilton came out on July 3rd it had been 39 days since the death of George Floyd. In 39 days America was still fighting. The drive had not abated. The spirit, still strong.
I’ve listened to the Hamilton soundtrack for years. I know every line. I know every inflection. And yet, watching it for the very first time, brought me to tears. Not just because it was so beautiful. It reminded me of where our country started and where we are now.
It started with young people rising up against oppression. When most people think of the founding fathers, or the revolutionary war, they think of all these old men in wigs and heeled shoes in Philadelphia signing the Declaration of Independence. But it’s important to remember that these were young adults. Alexander Hamilton was just 19 when the Declaration of Independence was signed, which means he was just 24 when the war was over. He was 49 when he died. Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, and Laurens were in their late teens and early twenties during the Revolutionary war.
These men, young men, that were instrumental in America actually being America. They were the same age as a lot of the people protesting now. It’s striking to me that a key similarity between then and now is young people. They stood up to England to gain our Independence from a tyrannical monarchy, and now they rise up to our own leadership to demand social change.
During “My Shot” we really get to see Alexander Hamilton as a spitfire revolutionary talking about how they need to fight back against Britain and their rule. We also see Laurens, a staunch abolitionist, tell everyone on stage to -
“Rise up.
When you're living on your knees, you rise up
Tell your brother that he's gotta rise up
Tell your sister that she's gotta rise up
When are these colonies gonna rise up?”
This part gives me goosebumps every time and makes me feel like he’s talking to us, to the young people of the 21st Century. Don’t just sit back and take it. Fight for what’s right. Rise up.
It resonates with me now. I feel like this song, especially this part, could resonate with most of America in this moment. America is rising up. Many have been living on their knees for so long and most of us have been blind to it.
Maybe Hamilton coming to Disney+ at this time isn’t going to change history. Maybe it won’t cause a revolution. But I think that if my mind contemplated on the similarities between then and now, then others may have as well.
It shows just how powerful art can be. But that’s for another day. If you haven’t seen Hamilton I highly recommend it. I could spend all day analyzing the music and lyrics, as well as pointing out all the nuances and Easter eggs. Maybe later.
Hope you’re doing ok in these strange times and take care of yourself and others.
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