As the hype about the musical has increased over the past four plus years, I have intentionally stayed away from any of the music. I have ruined musical productions in the past by listening to the songs in advance and loving them, only to have the actual presentation fall well short of my imagination. Over time, I kept hearing more praise for the show. I also learned that the creator was behind the amazing music in Moana (which I adore). Thus, I was beyond excited to watch the Disney+ presentation of Hamilton with the original Broadway cast, and I was pleased that I could do so without having spoiled any of it beforehand (although, I do already know the historical story ... well, much of it).
It was worth the wait. I can truthfully say that I laughed and I cried over the course of the two hours and forty minute run time. The music, the lyrics, the choreography, the story, the cast, the set, the lighting ... all blended together to craft a musical that I can (and will) watch again and again. I highly recommend seeing it.
Now, not all of the story in the musical is historically accurate. It certainly sets Hamilton as a more sympathetic and ... well ... composed man than he was in historical record. Events are simplified and generalized in ways that make Hamilton more of a hero and his opponents--like Jefferson, Madison, and Burr--more comically or tragically villainous.
Still, it gets the broad strokes of history correct. Interestingly, it is an captivating case study of perspective. Although told primarily with Aaron Burr, Hamilton's murderer, as the chief narrator, this is a story of Hamilton from Hamilton's point of view--almost as though this is the story as Hamilton would like it to be told.
Whether it was the intention of Lin-Manuel Miranda (the creator and star of the musical) or not, I believe that casting the roles of the Americans at this time with people of color is a powerful statement about our history. In this idealized version of the founding of our nation, the underrepresented groups literally take center stage--while in the actual historical tale they were unfortunately not allowed in the "theater" at all. Although this musical was written and performed (and this version even filmed) years before our current rise in racial awareness, its release to many American homes yesterday could not have been more timely.
It was certainly a great story to watch on Independence Day.
p.s. After you've seen it, take a look at Weird Al's polka version: linked here.