How Does Alexander Hamilton Influence American Culture

When broadway playwright, composer, and performer Lin-Manuel Miranda went on a much needed vacation after his musical In The Heights finished its run on broadway, he picked up a biography that would change both his life and the face of theatre. When reading “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow, Miranda started formulating a musical about the “ten dollar founding father without a father,” which is now dominating Broadway almost five years later. The show focuses on often over-looked founding father Alexander Hamilton, the face on the $10 bill, who Miranda calls the “original immigrant.” Orphan Hamilton came to the United States after living a destitute life in the Caribbean, seeking an education and a way to survive. He ended up becoming a decorated war veteran, the Chief of Staff Aide to George Washington, a primary proponent of the Constitution, founder of the Coast Guard and the New York Post, the first Secretary of State, the subject of the first public political affair, all before he died at the hands of Aaron Burr before his 50th birthday. This piece of history was the perfect subject for a Miranda musical, and has gained the attention

As a child living in New York, Miranda was exposed to rap, Latin American music, and broadway cast albums, and his early exposures all culminated in his first musical In the Heights. Heights is based on his neighborhood and the relationships made there in his early years, and combines salsa, rap, and broadway ballad styles to convey the histories and stories of the characters. TJ performed In the Heights in March of 2014, but before they performed, they were surprised by a generous offer from Miranda. “QUOTE FROM EVAN ABOUT MIRANDA ADVERTISING OUR HEIGHTS ON TWITTER.” Many TJ students have been following Miranda ever since to see what he does next, and Hamilton has not