OPINION: 10 years of the 10-Dollar Founding Father (Without a Father): Hamilton’s Impact
Photo via Ava Jelepis/The New Political
Ava Jelepis, a Sophomore studying Journalism, argues that Hamilton has had a greater societal impact than most people assume.
During a trip to Mexico to relax from his Tony-winning musical, “In The Heights,” songwriter and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda picked up Ron Chernow's 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton. "The moment my brain got a moment's rest, Hamilton walked into it," Miranda recalled.
In 2009, Miranda was invited to the White House to perform at the White House Poetry Jam. He was asked to perform a song from his musical, but instead debuted an early version of a song from a new musical he was working on. He was accompanied by music director Alex Lacamoire.
Lin-Manuel performed his concept album for former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and other guests. "It's a concept album about the life of someone I think embodies hip-hop: Treasurer Secretary Alexander Hamilton," Miranda said. With that statement, he was met with laughs from the audience.
"You laugh, but it's true…I think he embodies the world's ability to make a difference."
Miranda performed an early version of the song "Alexander Hamilton" that would go on to become the opening act of the show.
Hamilton's first performance was off-Broadway at the Public Theater, on Jan. 20, 2015. The official off-Broadway premiere was on Feb. 17, 2015, and it ran until May 3, after two extensions due to the popularity of the show. On August 6, 2015, Hamilton premiered on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theater.
"I am loath to tell people to mortgage their houses and lease their children to acquire tickets to a hit Broadway show. But ‘Hamilton,’ directed by Thomas Kail and starring Mr. Miranda, might just about be worth it — at least to anyone who wants proof that the American musical is not only surviving, but also evolving in ways that should allow it to thrive and transmogrify in years to come," wrote former Chief Theater Critic of the New York Times, Ben Brantley.
Hamilton became an instant phenomenon on Broadway, and, on March 14, 2016, Miranda returned to the White House along with Hamilton cast members for a celebration of the arts.
"Seven years ago, Lin-Manuel Miranda came to the White House Poetry Jam, and he took the mic and he announced that he and his musical collaborator, Alex Lacamoire, that they were going to perform a song from a hip-hop album they were working on, and I'm quoting him, 'about the life of somebody who embodies hip-hop, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton.' And so we all started laughing, but Lin-Manuel was serious. And who's laughing now?" Obama said.
The cast performed a series of numbers from the musical, including, once again, Alexander Hamilton.
Hamilton won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the jury called it "a landmark American musical about the gifted and self-destructive founding father whose story becomes both contemporary and irresistible." The album also won a Grammy for Best Musical Album, and the musical went on to sweep the Tony Awards, with a record-setting 16 nominations, winning 11 of them.
On July 3, 2020, a filmed performance of Hamilton from June 2016 was released on Disney+. Though it was originally intended for a theater release, it was moved to streaming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September 2021, Hamilton returned to Broadway after its halt due to the pandemic.
The original Broadway cast reunited for a performance at the Tony Awards to celebrate its 10th anniversary in June 2025. Hamilton's 10-year anniversary has been celebrated throughout the year, and now the 2016 filmed version is in theaters (including here in Athens) for a limited run.
Hamilton has reached global audiences, including in the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Germany, Australia, England and Puerto Rico. Hamilton was groundbreaking not only for its catchy songs that combined hip-hop and Broadway, or through the clever storytelling of American history, but also for its diverse cast.
Miranda uses a cast of all races and backgrounds to depict the white historical figures. This shows the progress that has been made in America since Alexander Hamilton's time.
"It is really interesting to take this time frame and turn it on its ear. When you see other media about this era, Black and Brown people are typically only depicted in one way," said Julius Thomas III, one of the actors who played Hamilton.
The White House, where the cast of Hamilton performed in 2016, is a very different White House from the one we have today. While the Obama White House celebrated the arts, I believe President Donald Trump poses a threat to the arts and American history, as he attempts to erase it by attacking museums, such as the Smithsonian.
In November 2016, the cast of Hamilton spoke directly to former Vice President Mike Pence while he was in the audience.
"We, sir — we — are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights," said Brandon Victor Dixon, the actor who played Vice President Aaron Burr, "We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us."
Trump responded with angry tweets, demanding in one that the cast apologize. Pence, on the other hand, said he was not offended and spoke about how he really enjoyed the production. "When we arrived, we heard a few boos, and we heard some cheers," said Pence, "I nudged my kids and reminded them that is what freedom sounds like."
Other cast members have also spoken out against Trump, including actor Daveed Diggs, who was the original actor for Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson. Diggs is a member of the hip hop group “Clipping.” He called Trump and his supporters "white supremacists" in their song “Chapter 319.”
Though I believe we have taken steps back as a country since Hamilton was first released, I couldn't help but feel pride for our country during my showing of Hamilton at the Athena Cinema. I have been listening to Hamilton since I was in 6th grade, but back then, it was more for the catchy songs. When I listen to it now (still singing along), I take a moment to appreciate the historical aspect of the show.
Hamilton is special not only because of the history being told, but also by who is telling it. The incorporation of people of all races and backgrounds shows that the history in this musical is the history of all Americans. The musical showcases immigrant roots and shines a light on the minority groups that helped build our country.
Hamilton altered not only how many people, especially younger audiences, learn our history, but also how we perceive musical theater. The show's diverse cast, unique story idea and hip-hop styled music changed people's perceptions of musicals and helped introduce new audiences to the theater.
Like Alexander Hamilton, Miranda broke many norms. Hamilton went against the traditional sounds and structure of theater performances and in return, his musical found great success. Hamilton revolutionized musical theater and showcased the power of the arts and the importance of our history.
Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.