Considering how Donald Trump & the Tea-Party crazies won’t give-up on the un-American-ness of Barack Obama, have they ever given a passing thought to the curious Caribbean origins of one of our founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton? Not only was Hamilton the founder of the New York Post and of our banking system, but he was also one of George Washington’s most trusted fellow officers, rapidly rising to the rank of General. Quite a meteoric trajectory for a male Mulatto whose mother way well have been a whore. . .
Previously, the best-known American Revolutionary musical was 1776, but Lin-Manuel Miranda’s brilliantly-conceived Hamilton leaves those wrangling Philadelphians far behind in the dust of history. What is especially amazing is not only that Miranda—already famed for his award-winning In the Heights—has created book, music, and lyrics in a most revolutionary manner, but that he has also honored Hamilton’s Caribbean ancestry with ingenious rapper lyrics. These race rapidly along, but some are so intricately clever that they almost distract attention from the tremendous thrust of the choreographed narrative. Andy Blankenbuehler is the new Jack Cole, with a clockwork-precision choreography that leaves no room for one misstep or mistake. But that would not work so well had not Thomas Kail staged this supercharged cast so powerfully and resourcefully. Even chorus liners seem to have their own special moments.
As King George III—when he is not Chorus-Lining—Jonathan Groff proves both imperiously hilarious and mock-regal.
Of course, when you have already created the book and score, why would you want to entrust the performance of Alexander Hamilton to Donald Trump or anyone now serving in our constipated Congress? So, Lin-Manuel Miranda is the ill-starred star of his show--ill-starred in that he is killed by a poisonously jealous Aaron Burr in a disastrous duel over on the Jersey side of the Hudson-River. As Stephen Vincent Benet wrote about this fatal encounter in “Ballads for Americans”: “Burr! Burr! What have you done? You’ve killed Great General Hamilton.”
If you missed Hamilton at the Public Theater, where it was sold out, not to worry! It will open soon again--on Broadway!
