Hamilton (2020)

Director: Thomas Kail

Writers: Lin-Manuel Miranda, based on the book by Ron Chernow

Stars: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom, Jr., Phillipa Soo, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Christopher Jackson, Daveed Diggs, Anthony Ramos

This powerful Broadway musical provides an exciting, explosive account of Alexander Hamilton’s battle to transcend his outsider status as a low born bastard from the West Indies and gain the respect and power in America that will ultimately grant him access to “the room where it happens,” the place where policy is made and the course of the nation is set. 

This filmed record of the stage production, assembled from two performances, showcases the energy of the performers. 

In addition to the quality of the play, it is astonishing just to witness the complex interplay of music, rap, and choreography in long unbroken takes. 

Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote both the music and the book and made the bold choice to cast it almost exclusively with people of color. 

This choice, along with glossing over such aspects of Hamilton as certain anti-democratic tendencies and his complicity in the institution of slavery, highlights an aspirational view of American history that is hopeful and inclusive.