Scan barcode
daumari's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this in 2016, but didn't get around to reading it until 2020, which is relevant context and a meta participation in the overall theme of the musical: what is a legacy, and how does it change over time?
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter worked on documenting the creation of Hamilton from its initial beginning as a mixtape idea in 2008 through the Broadway debut in 2015. The story of behind the scenes is interspersed between the libretto: all text of the musical (including the one scene not in the cast recording because it is spoken dialogue) plus a couple deleted numbers, with footnotes on particular lines for inspiration/samples/etc. What strikes me is that while they acknowledge Hamilton is something special, they also recognize this is still in its early years (ha) for a musical- who knows how it will be recontextualized as high school/college performances, or in what the book doesn't predict, a Trump administration. The notes on Reynolds Pamphlet say there's some joy in seeing the line "Never gonna be president now," quoted during the then-election cycle of 2015-2016 but hooboy does that feel like a simpler time. Likewise, ending on Obama's chat with the cast and crew about the belief in stories and how they can change the world with the hope of America's future feels hollow after the horrors that came in the following years. This was also published before the Tony Awards and the wins the show took home, so that isn't covered either (though I can't think of where it'd fit in between songs).
The release of the filmed version in July 2020 on Disney+ adds another contextual layer- I wonder if someone of these close ups in the book are from the days they filmed close-ups for that original cast recording. The libretto does not describe everything in a scene (a footnote mentions King George III's dance during The Reynolds Pamphlet but it's not a line so barely mentioned in text, and it would be hard to describe all the minute gestures the cast brings to their performances). I don't know what a post-pandemic theater experience looks like, but I'm guessing it will be a while before live performances in person are a thing. Film and books scratch the itch but it's not quite the same as the performers and audience feeding off of each other's energy.
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter worked on documenting the creation of Hamilton from its initial beginning as a mixtape idea in 2008 through the Broadway debut in 2015. The story of behind the scenes is interspersed between the libretto: all text of the musical (including the one scene not in the cast recording because it is spoken dialogue) plus a couple deleted numbers, with footnotes on particular lines for inspiration/samples/etc. What strikes me is that while they acknowledge Hamilton is something special, they also recognize this is still in its early years (ha) for a musical- who knows how it will be recontextualized as high school/college performances, or in what the book doesn't predict, a Trump administration. The notes on Reynolds Pamphlet say there's some joy in seeing the line "Never gonna be president now," quoted during the then-election cycle of 2015-2016 but hooboy does that feel like a simpler time. Likewise, ending on Obama's chat with the cast and crew about the belief in stories and how they can change the world with the hope of America's future feels hollow after the horrors that came in the following years. This was also published before the Tony Awards and the wins the show took home, so that isn't covered either (though I can't think of where it'd fit in between songs).
The release of the filmed version in July 2020 on Disney+ adds another contextual layer- I wonder if someone of these close ups in the book are from the days they filmed close-ups for that original cast recording. The libretto does not describe everything in a scene (a footnote mentions King George III's dance during The Reynolds Pamphlet but it's not a line so barely mentioned in text, and it would be hard to describe all the minute gestures the cast brings to their performances). I don't know what a post-pandemic theater experience looks like, but I'm guessing it will be a while before live performances in person are a thing. Film and books scratch the itch but it's not quite the same as the performers and audience feeding off of each other's energy.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
3.0
So at times I do tend to read stuff that's popular or cutting edge just to get a feel of what everyone else is delving into (i.e. Yes I in fact did try to read Twilight to see what all the fuss was about...terrible). Knowing I'll never see this musical performed on Broadway I picked up the book/script to see what it was all about. The play itself was very well done and extremely interesting. It definitely makes me want to read the Chernow biography; however, mixed into the actual script was a whole host of side stories, production notes, and actor profiles: these I found less than interesting. I was reading the book to get exposed to the story not to hear about the actor who played Aaron Burr. With that being said I immensely enjoyed large sections of the play and didn't so much enjoy the large sections of exposition. Wish it was more in line with "The Book of Mormon" which was just the script and no filler.
saigealiya's review against another edition
5.0
So many awesome insights into the show's lyrics and making! Now I just can't wait to see it....
kdawn999's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't even seen the show (only listened to it) and I still cried while reading this, so I think that's an automatic 5 stars.
Dammit, this show makes me patriotic.
Dammit, this show makes me patriotic.
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not the biggest Hamilton fangirl but I was definitely interesting in the process of creating such a big hit. What I got out of this book was more than I expected. While this does go through a lot of nuances specific to musical theater, it is absolutely the kind of book that someone pursuing a creative endeavor needs to read. The work, the dedication, the way that Lin-Manuel Miranda worked and modified and edited and took feedback and worked is inspiring and amazing. Of course, it made me appreciate the nuances of the musical itself but even more, it made me fall in love the creative process again.
aceinit's review against another edition
5.0
Today is a day for books that are beautifully designed and an absolute joy to hold in my hands. This behind-the-scenes look at the making of America’s current hottest musical is accented with cast and crew moments and stunning photography. The footnotes includes with each song’s full text are both amusing and insightful. It’s very seldom that I pick up a book that makes me excited for its source material, but Hamilton: the Revolution succeeds with every turn of the page.