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How Hamilton has changed musical theaterWhen most think of Broadway musicals, they envision show girls dancing in kicklines and chorus songs being performed in glittering costumes. Musicals have included empowering ballads, love stories, and plenty of ensemble dancing since Vaudeville shows in the early 20s. Though some musicals have adopted different genres of music and incorporated them into their musical theater style, no musical has had as profound an effect on the Broadway community as Hamilton. Hamilton, a history lesson set to music, has been praised for its racially-diverse cast, accurate representation of American history, and well-written score. So how is Hamilton different from traditional Broadway musicals? The score incorporates rap and hip-hop while still including traditional musical theater elements. The “I want” song, songs about struggle or heartbreak, and songs to advance the plot are still present in the show; but the Founding Fathers rap about the Revolutionary War and the national debt while ensemble dancers surround them and perform edgy hip-hop choreography. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the lyricist behind the hit musical, performed in an improve rap group and learned a great deal about the artform, viewing it as a way of storytelling. Hamilton is Broadway’s introduction to this new form of storytelling because it has an ability to reach a wider audience. The soundtrack includes rap, pop, and musical theater; meaning, there is a song in the musical for everyone. “This is a guy (Hamilton) who wrote his way out of his circumstances from the get-go. That is part and parcel with the hip-hop narrative: writing your way out of your circumstances, writing the future you want to see for yourself… It doesn’t get more hip-hop than that,” comments Miranda when discussing why he wrote a musical with such a different sound. He continues to say that he did not intentionally write Hamilton as a rap-musical, but it seemed like the only way to convey the time period in an accurate way. He said politics of the late 1700s was essentially a rap battle, as seen in the show. Aside from the various styles of music included in the soundtrack, the plot of the show attracts a wide variety of ages to the Richard Rogers theater. Many older musical theater fans will appreciate the educational value of the show, while younger fans enjoy the creative lyrics and humor between the rivaling founding fathers. Regardless of why the public has taken an interest in the musical, all ages can enjoy the visually stunning show and talent of the performers. The choreography seen in the show has also bridged the gap between commercial dancing and traditional musical theater performances. The dance world is constantly changing, meaning dancers and choreographers are expected to be flexible, versatile, and open to new ideas. Studying almost every genre of dance, including hip-hop, allows new and original pieces to take shape. The demand for versatile dancers essentially requires dancers to be proficient in almost every genre. Hamilton is filled with interesting styles of dance, including hip-hop, jazz, and ballroom dancing. Much like the soundtrack of the show, the dancers who frame the actors tell their stories through expressive movements. The traditional Broadway musical, though impressive and entertaining, is a thing of the past. Musical theater is moving forward and many worlds are colliding: rap, jazz, pop, musical theater, and commercial dancing. Hamilton opened the doors for a new kind of musical, where convention no longer apply and artists can push themselves creatively. This “hybrid musical” filled with a wide variety of styles and it allows audience members with different interests to enjoy and appreciate theater. |