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Broadway Guy

Part of the genius of "Hamilton" was: combining influences. From Richard Rodgers to Ron Chernow to Beyonce to Nicki Minaj to Andrew Lloyd Webber.

I'm also pretty sure, at times, Lin-Manuel Miranda is offering a memoir: Something tells me his own wife has said to him, "That would be enough." And "Philip, you outshine the morning sun" -- strikes me as autobiography.

As you watch "Hamilton" on Disney-Plus, here are some influences to consider:

*Rodgers and Hammerstein. Aaron Burr says, "You've got to be carefully taught. If you talk, you're gonna get shot." Burr doesn't seem to recognize the irony in Hammerstein's words--and this foolishness is true to Burr's character.

*Stephen Sondheim. Close to the end of Act One, let's have a big climactic number that unites multiple plots through multiple melodies. ("Tonight Quintet.") That's what is happening with "Non-Stop."

*Howard Ashman. LMM has spoken openly about his Ashman crush. Ashman began a musical with a flashy announcement ("Little Shop of Horrors," see "Alexander Hamilton"), followed by an I Want song ("Skid Row," see "My Shot"). Ashman knew the top of Act II was awkward; people were still getting settled; no one wanted anything heavy or crucial for a few minutes. ("Call Back in the Morning," see the great, self-referential "What'd I Miss").

*ALW/ Kander and Ebb. Why not make the narrator the main antagonist? This worked for Che; it worked for Velma Kelly. You see the tradition continue with Aaron Burr.

Enjoy "Hamilton"!

https://www.cnet.com/news/hamilton-hits-disney-plus-on-july-3-lin-manuel-miranda/

P.S. Yes, "Hamilton"'s ending--bringing Alexander back from the dead--does seem to be a direct reference to Fantine et al. "Take my hand....and lead me to salvation...."
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