Overhyped Things That Don't Disappoint: Hamilton
We went to visit family in Chicago and in the process saw Hamilton there. While expensive, it was a lot cheaper than New York and having listened to the Broadway cast album many times, I think the cast in Chicago was very competitive with Broadway. And it was fabulous. Really. I know there is a tendency if one spends a lot of money on an event to convince oneself it was worth the money, but it really was in this case.
In most musicals I walk out singing a particular song. Out of Hamilton, I find myself singing about 8 songs. I had one pre-show decision in which I am not sure if I did the right thing -- I had a choice of listening to the soundtrack in advance or seeing the musical fresh on the stage. I chose the former, mainly because in several songs the lyrics are so clever and come so fast and furious that it take a number of listenings to really appreciate them. But I probably missed something by not seeing it fresh and new on the stage.
I will say that this has got to be the most unlikely musical ever. I can just see the pitch -- I want to do a musical in rap featuring Hamilton and Jefferson debating about Federal assumption of state debt. Seriously, it sounds more like a lead in to a Leonard Pinth-Garnell sketch on Really Bad Musical Theater on SNL. But it works.
Still, #TeamBurr.
"I will say that this has got to be the most unlikely musical ever. I can just see the pitch -- I want to do a musical in rap featuring Hamilton and Jefferson debating about Federal assumption of state debt."
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No, the most unlikely musical ever (today) is an English operetta about MLK Jr. or Toussaint Louverture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTSpFksJ9LQ
Most rap is abysmal…probably since the barrier to entry is so low....as are modern expectations about artistic talent.
Not a big rap/hip-hop fan but I know it can be super-catchy and rhythmically infectious under the right conditions.
I won’t pollute the blog real estate here with more video images but paste the below titles into YouTube to see two great, proto-rap tunes, rap with a live band, my favorite French rapper and some classic, cowboy-style swagger, gangsta rap:
Chuck Berry - Too Much Monkey Business
Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues
Gang Starr - It's Gettin' Hectic
MC Solaar - Nouveau Western
2Pac - Open Fire (Original)
You're the worst.
I wouldn't see it. Not that I'm near enough to a performance, anyway.
Yeah, but you're probably a fine person so it all balances out in the end.
The question is, will the musical be able to live up to the incorrect quotes from it?
https://hamiltonincorrectquotes.tumblr.com
Weird Al - excellent rapper "Bob" "Isle thing" "Amish Paradise" "White and Nerdy"
Bob is a parody of the Dylan entry you listed.
A riveting, pro immigrant musical about one of the co-writers of the Alien Sedition Act...
Ouch. [Please apply water to burned area].