PBS airs their long-awaited special Hamilton’s America to millions of eager Hamilton fans around the world on Friday, October 21. We at Hypable were among the lucky few to see it early. And boy did we cry.
The Hamilton’s America documentary is now available for free streaming in America. You can watch it at the bottom of this article.
Earlier this year, Hamilton creator Lin Manuel Miranda set the world on fire when he revealed that the show with the original Broadway cast had been recorded on film and was being held under lock and key. For what reason? Miranda said he didn’t know, but it wasn’t long before PBS announced that it was in part for this documentary, which features the first extended video glimpse into the show, its creation, and the geniuses behind it.
To make things absolutely clear, Hamilton’s America can be enjoyed by just about everyone, including (and especially) people who are unfamiliar with the show. The universal appeal of this story will make it easy to gather your mom, your dad, your overly political uncle and your aunt that already loves the show around the TV tonight. I mean, who wouldn’t want to watch our founding fathers sing, dance, and rap American history right into your brains?
Let me put it another way: This documentary is absolutely essential viewing if you’re a fan of Hamilton, history, or anything in general. It airs tonight at 9/8c on PBS.
In case you need any more convincing, Hypable Hamilton experts James Bean and Brittany Lovely have logged in to tell you all just how lucky we are to be alive right now.
‘Hamilton’ documentary review: Why you should watch this documentary
JB: Oh boy. So if you’re reading this, you’re anticipating getting as close to Hamilton as you possibly can without flying to New York, and this documentary goes much further than any fan would expect. In addition to what everyone is here to see (filmed moments from the show that we found out about months ago), this outstanding documentary gives a historical lesson on Hamilton as a figure, an inside look at Lin-Manuel Miranda’s writing process, the cast’s perspective on their characters, as well as little Easter eggs about the show that you may have missed, even after listening to the Original Broadway Cast album over three thousand times (and I’m sure that’s no exaggeration for many of us). For any fan of Hamilton, this documentary is sure to fan your spark into a flame.
BL: Listening to Lin talk through the creation of Hamilton is only one small feature that you are going to experience with this documentary. The beauty of this behind-the-scenes film is the conversations Lin has with other artists about their craft. It is in the moments where you witness the actors meet their characters and see something deeper in there. It’s not Lin’s Hamilton; it is truly is America’s Hamilton. Luckily for us, Lin is willing to share.
On how the documentary captures Hamilton before it was a hit
JB: The most fascinating moments of the documentary for me were when we get to see Lin on his laptop, hammering away at lyrics that are now repeated flawlessly around the world, but at the time were just scratches on a notepad. Although it may have been clear to many (including those that made this documentary) that Miranda was bound to make another qualified hit, no one knew exactly how much of a phenomenon it would become.
The entire doc really kicks off with Miranda addressing the audience one year before opening night. Before rehearsals have even begun. He’s in a self-described “holding pattern” as he awaits the birth of his son Sebastian. Then two weeks after that, he’ll start rehearsals for Hamilton. “And then that becomes whatever it becomes,” says Miranda.
Suffice to say that Miranda excels at passionately smashing every expectation, even those of his own.
BL: Lin stands in an unfinished apartment with two songs in his pocket and a new deadline to hit. From an out of tune piano to “cabinet” meetings to writing Burr’s introduction in Burr’s actual bedroom, the documentary leaves very few stones in the Hamilton creation process unturned.
Telling stories is in Lin’s blood. One moment with his father and you will see that is true. And thus the heart of this story is in the details of seeing the creation. You feel every bit of the pressure mounting from the show’s early conception at the White House straight through the Broadway transfer announcement.
Related: Lin Manuel Miranda is the Perfect Human
On the historical facts
JB: At one point during the documentary, Miranda notes that Hamilton is very much a New York story. As images of street signs bearing the names “Washington,” “Lafayette,” and “Jefferson” flash across the screen, Miranda hammers home the idea that the founding fathers walked these very streets that have gained their names. Throughout the hour and a half running time, we’re treated to several moments where the camera lingers on artifacts at museums dedicated to Hamilton and his legacy. Guides even describe possessions of Hamilton’s, such as his portable writing desk. According to one of the many historians featured in the doc, it was this desk that enabled Alexander to write like he was running out of time.
BL: “Don’t be shocked when your history books mention me.” I’m honestly surprised U.S. 1 in high school did not mention Hamilton more. Then again, you are only permitted such a small scope of history in a short period of time that it would be impossible to cover every single piece of American history that Hamilton, Jefferson, and Washington touched. The historical field trips, especially the one to Valley Forge, were my favorite pieces of Hamilton’s America. You could feel the cast ground themselves in the reality of the pressure on those men living in the Revolution, and that a retreat could mean dozens of miles and crossing state lines.
On the political involvement
JB: I was sincerely not expecting to hear former President George W. Bush talk about my favorite musical today, nor was I prepared to hear Elizabeth Warren and Paul Ryan agree on anything, especially not a figure as divisive as Alexander Hamilton. Frankly, it’s a refreshing move for bipartisanship to see these political representatives giving props to their forebearers and their accomplishments. As fellow fighters for American law, I’m sure they’re relishing in the political interest that Hamilton may very well have encouraged.
BL: “The Room Where It Happened” where two “diametrically opposed foes” enter and create a comprise is the place in Hamilton where bipartisanship happens. The incorporation of political figures from the farthest possible sides of the aisles sitting down to discuss political movements that shaped this country without agenda was a breath of fresh air. They are talking about both sides of the human — the hero and the villain. Maybe all it takes is 240 years for a person to earn respectful discourse on their service to America.
On the new footage
JB: What can I say? The performances from the original broadway cast are, to put it simply, priceless. We don’t get to see the whole thing, unfortunately, but we see way more than I would have expected. We even see a few scenes that I thought they would skip for fear of spoiling history for millions of Americans. In any case, we get snippets of most of the major songs, and each of them are a feast. It’s at least enough to give fans a better idea of how the show moves and feels so that they can more accurately recreate it in their minds as they drive to work in the morning.
BL: The extended look into “Hurricane” and “Yorktown” really highlighted an element of the show that is not addressed — the choreography. Without Hamilton’s America, how else could the nation appreciate the choreography of Andy Blankenbuehler? Each move is just as important as hitting each word in Lin’s rhymes.
On new facts about the show
JB: Did you know that Thomas Jefferson’s Act II opener “What’d I Miss?” is written as a jazz tune to show that he’s been away for so long that the rest of the country has moved on to hip hop and rap without him? I didn’t, but that’s awesome.
BL: When Lin was drowning in research he took a helpful piece of advice from John Weidman: “Write the parts you know are a musical.” Those bits just happened to be King George’s songs.
On why you’ll cry when you watch this doc
JB: By the time the documentary ended, the Jimmy Cried Count had reached six. Whether it’s because of the beauty of the musical, the tragedy of the historical events, or even just a shot of the incredible Virginia landscape, Hamilton’s America will find ways to get tears out of your eyes. Those wanting to tell us what moment of the documentary broke the dam for them can let us know in the comments.
BL: Early in the documentary, the camera pulls back and you see Lin sitting across from Stephen Sondheim, a giant in the Broadway world. But in that moment, once the joy of seeing Mr. Sondheim talk about history in his work, you begin to realize that Lin no longer needs to look at the stars. He is quite literally seated at the right-hand of the father and damn does he deserve to be there.
Final thoughts
JB: Hamilton is one of the most incredible pieces of art in the 21st century. My reaction to things are typically hyperbolic (I write for a website called “Hypable” after all), but I am not the only one to acknowledge the tremendous impact that this musical has had on our culture, and will have for decades to come. Those already planning to catch the show on tour will probably already have this set on their DVR, but the rest of you now have no excuse to catch up on what this multi-award-winning musical is all about. As Lin’s Hamilton says in the show: “What are you waiting for? What do you stall for?”
Just watch this show. That would be enough.
BL: Hindsight is 20/20. It is easy to say Alexander Hamilton was a genius in 2016 with a musical making sure you know his name. History and appreciating where our country came from, the people who made this place happen, can bridge gaps no one thought possible. Imagine what else is hiding in the past that could help us today?
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