The soundtrack of the 2015 Broadway musical “Hamilton,” written and composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, has been heard by millions of people around the globe and has changed the course of musical history forever. Winning eight Drama Desk Awards, 11 Tony Awards and seven Oliver Awards, “Hamilton” is widely praised for its unique style, historical accuracy and beautiful lyricism that has introduced thousands of fans to the world of musical theater. 

“Hamilton” first debuted Off-Broadway at The Public Theater in Manhattan and quickly gained popularity. The original Broadway production had a main cast of 10 different actors and actresses, including Broadway legend Johnathan Groff. The official soundtrack includes 46 different songs divided into two acts. The entire production is sung-through, meaning that the plot of the story is conveyed only through song–never through dialogue. This means that a listener can understand and enjoy “Hamilton”’s story just by listening to the soundtrack. There also exists an official recording of the entire production available on Disney+ that gives a viewer a closer feeling to watching it on stage. 

“Hamilton” is a biography centered around the musical’s titular Alexander Hamilton, who you may know as the man on the five-dollar bill. The story covers the entirety of Hamilton’s life, from his early childhood to his untimely demise. The first act centers around the revolutionary war, and Hamilton’s part in it. Act I also introduces listeners to some characters that are prevalent throughout the show, such as Elizabeth Schuyler, George Washington and Aaron Burr (played by Phillipa Soo, Christopher Jackson, and Leslie Odom Jr., respectively). Act II covers Hamilton’s role as a founding father and what he did after the war, including both his accomplishments and his life-changing mistakes. 

While its concept sounds like something taught in a high school American history class, Miranda brings a new breath of life into the old tale. Broadway musicals are typically associated with a specific style, primarily following a set format and distinct sound. Most Disney Renaissance films fall into this category. “Hamilton,” however, is a blend of hip-hop, R&B, pop and various other genres. It certainly was not the first production to be experimental with its genre, but the wild success of “Hamilton” brought a new wave of people to theater that most likely would have never been interested otherwise. 

I love “Hamilton,” and not just because it is amazing. I love it because anybody can find something they love in it, be it the entire soundtrack or just one lyric. If you do not usually find musicals appealing, I still urge you to give “Hamilton” a listen. Who knows–you may find your next obsession!