“Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?” – George Washington

The line above is most commonly known from the musical Hamilton, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Hamilton is a biographical sung and rapped musical that tells the story of American Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton, played by Pierre Jean Gonzalez.

Inspired by the book Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, the musical premiered on January 20, 2015, at the Public Theater of Lower Manhattan. Since then, over 7.8 million people around the United States have seen it.

The Tony Award-winning musical has made its way to the KeyBank State Theater and the reviews are impeccable.

Alexander Hamilton’s story is remarkable and often leaves viewers in awe.  Born in the West Indies and orphaned by the age of 11, he arrived in New Jersey in 1772 to begin his education.  Since then, he’s played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War, growing through the ranks to become an aide to George Washington, played by Marcu Choi.

But that was only the beginning of his astonishing story.

The musical takes you through every major moment of Hamilton’s life since his arrival in New Jersey and gives the viewers a sense of love, loss and everything in between.

From meeting the Schuyler sisters played by, Nikisha Williams (Eliza Hamilton), Ta’rea Campbell (Angelica Schuyler) and Jen Sese (Peggy Schuyler), to watching Hamilton’s life takes a turn for the worst when his son, Philip Hamilton (Elijah Malcomb) dies from a duel, the audience goes through every feeling imaginable.

But, we can’t forget about everyone’s favorite character, King George, played by Neil Haskell and Rory O’Malley.  Viewers say he seems more like a jealous ex-boyfriend than a king of a world super-power and he is known as the musical’s comic relief as he appears intermittently to comment on Hamilton’s actions.

Viewers say he seems more like a jealous ex-boyfriend than a king of a world super-power and he is known as the musical’s comic relief as he appears intermittently to comment on Hamilton’s actionsThe filmed version of the Broadway hit combines the best elements of live theater and can be watched on Disney+.

Basing the story of Alexander Hamilton on storytelling, time and legacy, the musical Hamilton is a phenomenon!

The Broadway actors represented their characters perfectly and although it wasn’t the original cast, they were just as impressive. They were very lively and the songs performed were full of action and inspiration.

Rate: 10/10

If you’re interested in the Hamilton soundtrack, scan the Spotify code below!