Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical Hamilton is as revolutionary as its subject, the poor kid from the Caribbean who fought the British, defended the Constitution, and helped to found the United States. Fusing hip-hop, pop, R&B, and the best traditions of theater, this once-in-a-generation show broadens the sound of Broadway, reveals the storytelling power of rap, and claims our country's origins for a diverse new generation.
Hamilton: The Revolution gives readers an unprecedented view of both revolutions, from the only two writers able to provide it. Miranda, along with Jeremy McCarter, a cultural critic and theater artist who was involved in the project from its earliest stages — "since before this was even a show," according to Miranda — traces its development from an improbable performance at the White House to its landmark opening night on Broadway six years later. In addition, Miranda has written more than 200 funny, revealing footnotes for his award-winning libretto, the full text of which is published here.
Their account features photos by the renowned Frank Ockenfels and veteran Broadway photographer, Joan Marcus; exclusive looks at notebooks and emails; interviews with Questlove, Stephen Sondheim, leading political commentators, and more than 50 people involved with the production; and multiple appearances by President Obama himself. The book does more than tell the surprising story of how a Broadway musical became a national phenomenon: It demonstrates that America has always been renewed by the brash upstarts and brilliant outsiders, the men and women who don't throw away their shot.
Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical Hamilton is as revolutionary as its subject, the poor kid from the Caribbean who fought the British, defended the Constitution, and helped to found the United States. Fusing hip-hop, pop, R&B, and the best traditions of theater, this once-in-a-generation show broadens the sound of Broadway, reveals the storytelling power of rap, and claims our country's origins for a diverse new generation.
Hamilton: The Revolution gives readers an unprecedented view of both revolutions, from the only two writers able to provide it. Miranda, along with Jeremy McCarter, a cultural critic and theater artist who was involved in the project from its earliest stages — "since before this was even a show," according to Miranda — traces its development from an improbable performance at the White House to its landmark opening night on Broadway six years later. In addition, Miranda has written more than 200 funny, revealing footnotes for his award-winning libretto, the full text of which is published here.
Their account features photos by the renowned Frank Ockenfels and veteran Broadway photographer, Joan Marcus; exclusive looks at notebooks and emails; interviews with Questlove, Stephen Sondheim, leading political commentators, and more than 50 people involved with the production; and multiple appearances by President Obama himself. The book does more than tell the surprising story of how a Broadway musical became a national phenomenon: It demonstrates that America has always been renewed by the brash upstarts and brilliant outsiders, the men and women who don't throw away their shot.
Critiques-
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July 4, 2016
The hip-hop musical Hamilton: The Revolution has earned its own biography, which highlights the obstacles, influences, and powerful moments from its development to its Broadway success. McCarter narrates the introduction (which he wrote), and one can hear the excitement and enthusiasm he still has for both the musical and his work with Miranda. Actress Hargitay, longtime star of NBC’s Law & Order: SVU, covers the lion’s share of this performance, and she does an astounding job. She captures the energy and enthusiasm of the various people quoted throughout the book, while capturing the emphasis and tone to draw out some of the more emotional moments. Miranda chimes in for the last hour, reading—and at times singing—footnotes on the libretto, which is confusing for listeners who are not following directly along with the PDF of the script. A Grand Central hardcover. -
Mariska Hargitay takes on the role of warm documentarian in her narration of this behind-the-scenes look at the cultural phenomenon that is HAMILTON. Hargitay is an able guide through the chronology of its run at The Public Theater, the recording of the cast album, and the move to Broadway, as well as details, many quite personal, of the writing, casting, composing, choreography, and more. Listeners will need to follow along in the print book or accompanying PDF when listening to Lin-Manuel Miranda's footnotes on the libretto, which make up the last hour of the recording. That said, it's SO much fun hearing them lift off the page, by turns serious and playful, in his voice. It's fascinating listening for Broadway aficionados and an essential deep dive for HAMILTON fans. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine
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October 1, 2016
This glorious, oversize testament to the multiple Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton is a joy to anyone who loves the sound track or who has been lucky enough to score tickets to the show. Miranda's annotations are in the margins of the lyrics, which are usually overlaid on full-spread photographs of the cast. He explains the many homages to rappers of his youth, as well as why he used literary devices, changed music tempos, and added fiction when Ron Chernow's biography couldn't fill in the gaps. Thirty-two essays offer teens even more background knowledge of how the show was created and often include lyrics that were cut from the final show. Through interviews with cast members and mentors, readers will be engrossed in the narrative and listening along to the sound track. The line "Immigrants: We get the job done," from "Yorktown (the World Turned Upside Down)," stirs rousing applause during performances, and the revolutionary twist of nonwhite actors portraying the Founding Fathers will be inspiring to young people. VERDICT An uplifting, gorgeous, diverse, and emotional libretto that will be performed in high schools as soon as the rights are available, and a must-have for initiated and uninitiated alike.-Sarah Hill, Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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December 1, 2016
This glorious, oversize testament to the uplifting, gorgeous, diverse, multiple Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton is a must-have for initiated and new listeners alike. (http: //ow.ly/JDdI305MEsh)-Sarah Hill, Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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November 1, 2015
Miranda was the composer, lyricist, and star of Broadway's In the Heights, which won four Tony Awards in 2008 and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Then came Hamilton, the trailblazing, diverse-cast, hip hop-crazy musical that had a sold-out run at New York's Public Theater before winning the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical and transferring to Broadway. Now it's a Tony favorite, with decent ticket availability starting around June 2016. Here, having told the story of Alexander Hamilton, Miranda tells the story of Hamilton. With a 100,000-copy first printing.
Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
