Scan barcode
abbyl27's review
4.0
This musical is a masterpiece, not only lyrically, but visually, musically, and emotionally. I've seen it live by now, and I can just confirm all of this. I cried at least three times during the second act and I couldn't stop marveling at the background dancers even though their purpose was to fade and fit into the background. That should speak for itself.
kessler13's review against another edition
5.0
I love BTS stuff, and this was so well written and so insightful and interesting.
kelly_inthe419's review
5.0
What a wonderful look into the creative process and how much it relies on the right people at the right time in the right place. Kudos to Lin-Manuel Miranda and all his colleagues who took an idea and built an impressive national - if not global - phenomenon.
I have been listening to the cast album & watching every video I can on YouTube. Clearly, Hamilton is at the very top of my bucket list. Some day...
In the meantime, the stories of performers, directors, musicians and choreographer are woven together seamlessly by Lin's co-author Jeremy McCarter. And I loved reading through the lyrics and Lin's notes on how songs evolved and changed. Washington's One Last Time, for example, was originally One Last Ride, about going out to fight the whiskey rebellion. Not being familiar with the world of rap & hip-hop, some cultural references were a little obscure for me. But I still devoured every tidbit.
Two of my favorite notes:
1) In Take A Break, Angelica notes that Alexander has dropped in a comma between My dearest and Angelica. Miranda notes that the two often added commas in their correspondence to change meanings. Miranda notes "Comma sexting. It's a thing." But who knew it was for real!
2) In Your Obedient Servant, Alexander sends Aaron Burr an "itemized list of 30 years of disagreements." It is Miranda's homage to Parks & Recreation. Such a Leslie Knope thing to do! Haha.
I could go on and on. It's a fascinating perspective & I'll be sad when I have to return it to the library next week. Enjoy!
I have been listening to the cast album & watching every video I can on YouTube. Clearly, Hamilton is at the very top of my bucket list. Some day...
In the meantime, the stories of performers, directors, musicians and choreographer are woven together seamlessly by Lin's co-author Jeremy McCarter. And I loved reading through the lyrics and Lin's notes on how songs evolved and changed. Washington's One Last Time, for example, was originally One Last Ride, about going out to fight the whiskey rebellion. Not being familiar with the world of rap & hip-hop, some cultural references were a little obscure for me. But I still devoured every tidbit.
Two of my favorite notes:
1) In Take A Break, Angelica notes that Alexander has dropped in a comma between My dearest and Angelica. Miranda notes that the two often added commas in their correspondence to change meanings. Miranda notes "Comma sexting. It's a thing." But who knew it was for real!
2) In Your Obedient Servant, Alexander sends Aaron Burr an "itemized list of 30 years of disagreements." It is Miranda's homage to Parks & Recreation. Such a Leslie Knope thing to do! Haha.
I could go on and on. It's a fascinating perspective & I'll be sad when I have to return it to the library next week. Enjoy!
kmthomas06's review
5.0
As awesome as expected - the notes with the lyrics are pure gold. Miranda continues to be the cool kid in the class we all want to be friends with.
shelshey's review against another edition
4.0
Great insight into the actors and people who made Hamilton the success it has become. I really enjoyed the narration by Mariska Hargitay