Hamilton (musical) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hamilton
An American Musical
Broadway poster
Music	Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lyrics	Lin-Manuel Miranda
Book	Lin-Manuel Miranda
Basis	Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Productions	2013 Vassar College 2015 Off-Broadway 2015 Broadway 2017 First North America tour 2017 West End 2018 Second North America tour 2019 Third North America tour
Awards	List of awards  • Tony Award for Best Musical  • Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical  • Tony Award for Best Original Score  • Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album  • Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical  • Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music  • Obie Award for Best New American Theatre Work  • Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Cast members perform musical selections at the White House, 2016. L–R: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr., and Christopher Jackson

Hamilton: An American Musical is a super popular musical created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. It tells the exciting story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America's Founding Fathers. These were important people who helped create the United States.

Lin-Manuel Miranda got the idea for the musical after reading a book about Alexander Hamilton. The show uses lots of different music styles, like hip hop, R&B, pop, and soul. It also has classic musical theater songs.

A cool thing about Hamilton is that many of the historical characters are played by non-white actors. Miranda said the show is about "America then, as told by America now."

Hamilton first opened in New York City on February 17, 2015, at a theater called the Public Theater. It was so popular that all the tickets sold out! The musical won eight Drama Desk Awards, including one for Best Musical.

Later, it moved to Broadway on August 6, 2015. On Broadway, it got amazing reviews and sold tons of tickets. At the 2016 Tony Awards, Hamilton was nominated for a record-breaking 16 awards and won 11 of them, including Best Musical. It also won the famous 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Hamilton has been performed all over the world. A show opened in Chicago in 2016. The West End production in London started in December 2017. It won seven Olivier Awards in 2018, including Best New Musical. There have also been several tours across the U.S.

The Story of Hamilton

Hamilton tells the story of Alexander Hamilton's life. It shows how many famous historical people influenced him. These include Marquis de Lafayette, Aaron Burr, John Laurens, Hercules Mulligan, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (Eliza), Angelica Schuyler, Peggy Schuyler, Philip Hamilton, Maria Reynolds, and former presidents George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson.

Act I: From Orphan to War Hero

The musical starts by showing Alexander Hamilton's tough early life. He was an orphan from the island of Nevis. But he was very smart and worked hard to leave his home ("Alexander Hamilton").

In New York in 1776, Hamilton meets some important people: Aaron Burr, John Laurens, Marquis de Lafayette, and Hercules Mulligan ("Aaron Burr, Sir"). He quickly impresses them with his clever words ("My Shot"). These friends, except Burr, are excited about the American Revolution ("The Story of Tonight"). Burr is more careful and unsure.

Later, we meet the three Schuyler sisters: Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy. They are from a rich family and share their thoughts on the upcoming revolution ("The Schuyler Sisters"). A loyalist named Samuel Seabury warns people about Congress, but Hamilton argues against him ("Farmer Refuted"). Meanwhile, King George III insists that he is still in charge ("You'll Be Back").

During the war, Hamilton becomes an aide-de-camp (a special assistant) to George Washington. He really wants to lead soldiers in battle, but he takes the job ("Right Hand Man").

At a fancy party, Eliza falls in love with Hamilton, and they decide to get married ("Helpless"). Angelica, Eliza's sister, also has feelings for Hamilton but hides them for her sister's happiness ("Satisfied"). After the wedding, Burr thinks about Hamilton's quick success and compares it to his own slower path ("Wait For It").

As the war gets tougher ("Stay Alive"), Hamilton helps Laurens in a duel against Charles Lee, who had insulted Washington ("Ten Duel Commandments"). Hamilton is temporarily suspended by Washington for this and sent home ("Meet Me Inside").

At home, Eliza tells Hamilton she is pregnant with their first child, Philip. She asks him to slow down and enjoy their life ("That Would Be Enough"). Later, Lafayette convinces France to help the American colonists. Washington calls Hamilton back to help plan the final Battle of Yorktown ("Guns and Ships"). Washington warns Hamilton that his actions will be remembered forever ("History Has Its Eyes on You").

At the Battle of Yorktown, Hamilton and Lafayette work together to defeat the British. They learn that Mulligan was a spy, which helped them win the war ("Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)").

After the victory, King George III wonders how America will manage on its own ("What Comes Next?"). Lafayette goes back to France to start his own revolution. Hamilton's son Philip is born, and Burr also has a daughter, Theodosia. Both fathers promise to protect their children ("Dear Theodosia").

Hamilton learns that his friend John Laurens was killed in a battle after the war was already won. Hamilton is very sad and throws himself into his work ("Tomorrow There'll More of Us"). He helps write The Federalist Papers and becomes the first Secretary of the Treasury for President Washington. Eliza wants him to stay home, and Angelica moves to London ("Non-Stop").

Act II: Building a Nation and Personal Struggles

Thomas Jefferson returns to America from France and becomes the Secretary of State. He meets James Madison ("What'd I Miss"). In 1789, Jefferson and Hamilton argue about Hamilton's money plans for the country ("Cabinet Battle #1"). Washington tells Hamilton to find a way to get Congress to agree.

Eliza and her family, including Angelica, go on vacation. Hamilton stays home to work ("Take a Break"). Hamilton makes a big mistake that someone uses against him ("Say No To This").

Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison make a deal called the Compromise of 1790. Hamilton's money plan is approved, and the nation's capital is moved to the Potomac River ("The Room Where It Happens"). Burr is jealous of Hamilton's power. Burr changes political parties and wins an election against Philip Schuyler, making Hamilton his rival ("Schuyler Defeated").

In another meeting, Jefferson and Hamilton argue about whether the U.S. should help France in its war with Britain. President Washington agrees with Hamilton that America should stay neutral ("Cabinet Battle #2"). After this, Jefferson, Madison, and Burr decide to work together to try and make Hamilton look bad ("Washington on Your Side").

Washington decides to retire from being president, and Hamilton helps him write his farewell speech ("One Last Time"). King George III is surprised that Washington stepped down ("I Know Him").

John Adams becomes the second President and fires Hamilton. Hamilton then writes a strong criticism of the new president ("The Adams Administration"). Jefferson, Madison, and Burr confront Hamilton about his past mistake, accusing him of misusing government money. This forces Hamilton to reveal his secret ("We Know").

Hamilton decides to tell everyone about his secret in a public paper ("Hurricane"), which causes a big stir and hurts his political career ("The Reynolds Pamphlet"). Eliza is very sad and angry, so she burns his letters to try and forget what happened ("Burn").

After college, Philip, Hamilton's son, tries to defend his father's honor in a duel ("Blow Us All Away") but is fatally shot ("Stay Alive (Reprise)"). This sad event brings Alexander and Eliza back together ("It's Quiet Uptown").

Hamilton supports Jefferson in the 1800 election ("The Election of 1800"). This makes Burr even more angry with Hamilton. Burr challenges Hamilton to a duel ("Your Obedient Servant"). Hamilton writes his last letter while Eliza tells him to go to bed ("Best of Wives and Best of Women").

Burr and Hamilton go to New Jersey for the duel. Burr shoots Hamilton, who eventually dies. Eliza, Angelica, and the others mourn him. Burr is sad that even though he survived, he will always be remembered as the villain who killed Hamilton ("The World Was Wide Enough").

The musical ends by thinking about how history remembers people. Jefferson and Madison talk about Hamilton's legacy. Eliza explains how she keeps Hamilton's memory alive by helping war veterans, raising money for the Washington Monument, speaking out against slavery, and starting the first private orphanage in New York City ("Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story").

Main Characters and Original Cast

Musical Numbers

Awards and Honors

Hamilton has won many important awards for its amazing performances and story.

Off-Broadway Awards

When Hamilton first opened Off-Broadway in 2015, it won many awards:

• Lucille Lortel Awards: It won for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Director (Thomas Kail), Outstanding Choreographer (Andy Blankenbuehler), Outstanding Lead Actor (Lin-Manuel Miranda), Outstanding Lead Actress (Phillipa Soo), Outstanding Featured Actor (Daveed Diggs), Outstanding Featured Actress (Renée Elise Goldsberry), and several design awards.
• Outer Critics Circle Awards: It won for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musical, and Outstanding New Score.
• Drama Desk Awards: It won for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Featured Actress (Renée Elise Goldsberry), Outstanding Director (Thomas Kail), Outstanding Music, Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Book of a Musical, and Outstanding Sound Design. Andy Blankenbuehler also received a special award for his choreography.
• It also won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical and an Obie Award for Best New American Theatre Work.

Broadway Awards

When Hamilton moved to Broadway in 2016, it received a record-breaking 16 nominations for the Tony Awards. It won 11 of these awards, which is almost the most ever!

• Tony Awards:
  • Best Musical
  • Best Book of a Musical (Lin-Manuel Miranda)
  • Best Original Score (Lin-Manuel Miranda)
  • Best Actor in a Musical (Leslie Odom Jr.)
  • Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Daveed Diggs)
  • Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Renée Elise Goldsberry)
  • Best Costume Design of a Musical (Paul Tazewell)
  • Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Howell Binkley)
  • Best Direction of a Musical (Thomas Kail)
  • Best Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler)
  • Best Orchestrations (Alex Lacamoire)
• Pulitzer Prize: It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2016.
• Grammy Awards: It won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2016.
• Drama League Awards: It won for Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical.
• Fred and Adele Astaire Awards: It won for Best Choreographer (Andy Blankenbuehler).

In 2018, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Andy Blankenbuehler, Alex Lacamoire, and Thomas Kail were honored with a special Kennedy Center Honors award for their work on Hamilton.

Images for kids

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  Lin-Manuel Miranda as Hamilton

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  Off-Broadway promotional poster.

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  Members of the touring cast perform at the 2020 Women's March in San Francisco.

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  Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London, in December 2017

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  Lin-Manuel Miranda Gallery, Vega Alta barrio-pueblo, Puerto Rico

See also

In Spanish: Hamilton (musical) para niños