Hamilton - FULL REACTION

So glad you did this! Burst out laughing at end of part 1. I've never heard anyone compare Hamilton to Sonic but it makes sense...😂 Now if only someone could explain economics, politics, and all of math to me like this, with catchy tunes 🎶 Edit as I'm rewatching this again: You say you'd like to see it live 'cause it's probably different there in the room. I've been SUPER lucky to see it twice--once in Washington DC and once in Chicago--and it is different, being in the room where it happens~ Some of the staging like the end of Act 1 or the hurricane imagery is more impressive when shown without cutting around. BUT the Disney version is g r e a t because original cast!!! No one can be as swag as Daveed Diggs. Oh I could gush all over the original cast. They had a mini-James Corden version of Hamilton for the Tonys https://youtu.be/kO3OoJsUmmA James Corden 👌👌

Pate

I’ve just watched this reaction and it was lovely to watch this again alongside you, Liam. I’ve seen the show in London a few times but it was lovely to see the original cast this way and I do think it’s slightly easier to take in the language watching the screen version than when you’re in the room and are slightly overwhelmed! This was my first time watching the Disney+ recording and I loved it. Seeing different actors in roles is always fascinating and I have to say that it can affect how you feel about a character - I much prefer Eliza in this due to the actress. She’s the best I’ve seen in the role. She’s so clear in her vocal. The fact the music, book and lyrics all came from Lin still astonishes me. That’s mind-blowing talent. Oh and I’m based in London, so once the world is normal, if you need any ticket tips that aren’t extortionate, give me a shout!

Victoria E (vickster5001)

I saw the original Broadway cast in 2015 (and will brag about it until the day I die). I also purposely didn't look up much going into it because I wanted to see and hear everything with fresh eyes (it helped that the soundtrack wasn't out at that point), but there is SO MUCH going on in the show, layers upon layers upon layers, that it really takes a few watches/listens to catch everything. Genius.com also has extensive annotations on the lyrics, many provided by Lin-Manuel Miranda himself. And if you're interested in reading the book by Ron Chernow, be forewarned that it's a loooooooong read, but it shows that sometimes the truth is even stranger than the fiction from the show. For example: Aaron Burr was not in the group that confronted Hamilton about his payments to James Reynolds, but when Maria Reynolds finally filed for divorce from her husband, Burr was her lawyer. Glad you enjoyed the musical!

Yesmydog

Merry Christmas! Eliza's last song brings tears to my eyes no matter how many times I've watched this. If anyone wants a little more of the actual history there's this: https://www.hamiltonburr.org/ Also there's this: "Burr was charged with murder in New Jersey and New York, but as vice president of United States he enjoyed immunity from prosecution in Washington, D.C. After his term of office expired, Burr looked to the Louisiana Territory to revive his political aspirations. He conspired with James Wilkinson, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Army and governor of the Northern Louisiana Territory, to conquer parts of Louisiana and Mexico and crown himself emperor. The attempt failed, and in 1807 Burr was captured and tried for treason. He was acquitted on a technicality and, facing public condemnation, he fled to Europe. While in Europe he again unsuccessfully plotted to take territory in North America, eventually returning to the United States a fugitive from debtors’ prison. Burr’s murder charges were dropped, and he resumed the practice of law in New York City. He died at the age of 80, a nearly forgotten man."

Erica Schaefer

This was a lovely Christmas present, thank you. I got a chance to see the Hamilton London show and it's so interesting having seen that before this version because it shows just how each cast brings something new. The guy playing Hamilton I saw was just out of drama school and they leaned heavier into the young firebrand style. It was incredible though, I was absolutely transfixed and the music hits your chest different in person. I highly highly recommend seeing it if you can. (There is a lyric book with annotations you can get and it's really interesting because you discover how well layered the songs are with references and character moments. The writing of this show is incredible.) I also love Eliza because she could be 'just the wife' but it ends by saying she wasn't the 'hero' she was the storyteller- and how ultimately the storyteller controls legacy. Hamilton's legacy was hers. She controlled her part in it in the way no other character got to.

Ixaala

Merry Christmas Liam, thank you so much for this reaction treat!

AngelicMouseGirl

Oh, I thought it was the one with Peter Stormare and Mark Hamill

Hans Olav

Loads of wonderful observations, but this one killed me -- "He sings about the nation the way Hamilton and Burr sing about their kids."

Pam Nail

Fun facts about the dual roles. In the opening number when the characters say things about their connections to Hamilton, it fits both of their roles where they exist. “Me, I died for him” for Laurens/Phillip, “we fought with him” for characters who fought along side him in act one and fought/argued with him in act two. And a little foreshadowing of Peggy = Maria Reynolds. There are just so. Many. Things to pick up while watching this show. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen it, but I still make new connections. It’s very layered. A true work of genius, honestly, to get this story into such a compelling performance, albeit obviously with a lot of poetic license.

Kelly Walker

Merry Christmas Liam! Thank you for posting this. It made my Xmas. It's fun to watch Lin talk about the musical. Peggy did die early and didn't really have much influence in Hamilton's life. Some fun things to pick up on is at the beginning Lafayette speaks English really slowly and then by 'Guns and Ships' he's rapping so fast and that's to show how long he has been here and now mastering the language. Also to note that everyone in the show dies from gun violence something that was prevalent with some rappers (like Biggie and Tupac). And I like the message at the end that the world is wide enough and that people shouldn't make these rash decisions. Lin said that Hamilton reminded him of rap just because of how much he wrote and he wrote to get a better position in life, like rap artists do. Also at the end some interpret it that Eliza's gasp is her looking at the audience and realizing that someone has finally told her story (I like to think that anyway). As an American the only thing I remember of learning about Aaron Burr was that he shot Hamilton so it is a little accurate that he's the villain in our history books. Thank you for reacting! If you'd like there's some performances of them singing at the white house. They sing "One Last Time" to Obama and it was close to the end of his second term so everyone in the room got emotional. Most of the cast won Tony awards for their performances as well and were up against their own co-stars.

Corey

The actress who played Peggy Schuyler (the third sister) is the one playing (which is why you thought she was Peggy when she showed up). Peggy actually does die, but it's not really in the story. When Philip dies, you see Alexander and Eliza wearing black, which seems convienent for the scene and the one that follows. I don't know if iit's been confirmed, but it's believed that they were coming from Peggy's funeral (or still grieving for Peggy) because she actually does die young, and actually dies the same year Philip does, just months before his death. "Philip, your mother can't handle another heartbreak". -Alexander to Philip... The ending when Alexander leads Eliza to the front of the stage then steps back for her moment, it's theorized that it's not Alexander that leads her there, but it's Lin Manuel (the writer and actor who plays Hamilton) leading her there. Right before he does, she sings "and when my time is up, have I done enough? Will they tell my story." Lin leads her to the front and the audience lights turn on, revealing them, breaking the 4th wall, and Eliza sees them, causing her to gasp and clutch chest. She realizes her story HAS been told for the world to see. Lin told her story. Remember, the show is called "Hamilton". It's not just Alexander's story's who's being told, but Eliza's. I just think that's just brilliant and amazing. I also believe to this day, that orphanage is still running...

Ash Lee Can

So excited to watch this! Thank you Liam! Merry Christmas!

That was delightful to watch! Since you're close to finishing BtVS, once you're done with that you should check out the Twitter account Hamilton in Sunnydale: two fabulous media projects that somehow combine into something marvelous. Thank you so much for doing this. I hope you have a merry and joyful holiday season!

Superplin

Got milk?

Kelly Walker

Happy Christmas Liam! Thank you so much for posting this today. I’ve been sick all week. This is my first day off from both of my jobs in a very long time and I slept all day so I was so excited when I woke up and saw that you posted. And don’t feel bad, as an American most of us don’t know our history either. I only knew about Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, specifically that Aaron Burr killed him in a duel, from some commercial years ago. Anyway, best to you and thanks for making my day.

Lostmyshoe22

Merry Christmas Liam!

Pho3nixX

I was having a pretty crappy Christmas and seeing you post this immediately cheered me up! Thank you so much for posting this! There are so many random facts I want to spew (like how if Hamilton was sung at a regular pace it’d actually be 4-6 hours long) but for now I’ll just leave a thank you!! I only found you a few months ago but have enjoyed every second of it and am extremely grateful for everything you do, especially during this hard year! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and again thank you!!

Ashley McNown

I’m so excited for this! Thanks for giving me something to check out while I spend this Christmas alone. And I’m a musical theatre addict.

Kelly Walker

You rule. A very Happy Christmas to you and yours.

Rob Z

Thank you, my friend. I'm looking forward to giving this a watch, and I'm sending warm wishes from Canada to you and yours this holiday season.

John