Hamilton (musical) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hamilton
An American Musical
The Broadway promotional poster for Hamilton
Music	Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lyrics	Lin-Manuel Miranda
Book	Lin-Manuel Miranda
Productions	2015 Off-Broadway 2015 Broadway 2017 First North America tour 2017 West End 2018 Second North America tour 2019 Third North America tour 2021 Australia 2021 Fourth North America tour 2022 Hamburg 2023 International Tour 2023 UK & Ireland 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 selections from the musical at the White House in 2016. Left to right: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr., and Christopher Jackson

Hamilton: An American Musical is a super popular musical that tells the life story of Alexander Hamilton. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The show uses music, lyrics, and a story written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. It's based on a book called Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow.

The musical shares Hamilton's journey during the American Revolution. It also covers his role in the early days of the United States. The music is a cool mix of hip hop, R&B, pop, soul, and classic show tunes. What makes Hamilton extra special is that it features non-white actors playing historical figures. Miranda said it's "America then, as told by America now."

Hamilton first opened off-Broadway in New York City on February 17, 2015. It was a huge hit and quickly sold out. The musical won eight Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical. Then, it moved to Broadway on August 6, 2015. There, it got amazing reviews and sold tons of tickets. At the 70th Tony Awards, Hamilton was nominated for a record-breaking 16 awards and won 11! This included the top prize, Best Musical. It also won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In 2020, a filmed version of the Broadway show was released on Disney+. It will also be shown in movie theaters in 2025.

The Story of Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton tells Alexander Hamilton's life story in two parts. It shows his journey from a young orphan to a key figure in American history. The musical covers his time helping George Washington in the American Revolutionary War. It also explores his marriage to Eliza Schuyler and his work as a lawyer. Later, he became the first Secretary of the Treasury. The story also focuses on his complex relationship with Aaron Burr. This relationship sadly ends in a duel.

Act I: From Orphan to War Hero

Alexander Hamilton had a tough start as an orphan. But he was very smart and worked hard. With help from his town, he left the island of St. Croix and moved to New York City ("Alexander Hamilton"). In 1776, while at King's College, Hamilton met Aaron Burr, John Laurens, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Hercules Mulligan ("Aaron Burr, Sir"). He impressed them with his speaking skills ("My Shot"). These friends, except for Burr, were excited about the revolution ("The Story of Tonight").

Meanwhile, the wealthy Schuyler sisters—Peggy, Angelica, and Eliza—were also excited about the revolution ("The Schuyler Sisters"). Others, like King George III, wanted things to stay the same ("You'll Be Back"). During the war, Hamilton became George Washington's helper, even though he wanted to fight on the battlefield ("Right Hand Man").

At a fancy party, Eliza fell in love with Hamilton, and they got married ("Helpless"). Angelica, Eliza's sister, also had feelings for Hamilton but put her sister's happiness first ("Satisfied"). Burr thought about Hamilton's quick success compared to his own careful path ("Wait for It").

As the war continued, Hamilton helped in a duel for his friend Laurens ("Ten Duel Commandments"). Washington temporarily removed Hamilton from the army for this ("Meet Me Inside"). Eliza then told Hamilton she was expecting their first child, Philip. She asked him to enjoy their happy moments ("That Would Be Enough"). Lafayette convinced Washington to let Hamilton lead troops in the Battle of Yorktown ("Guns and Ships"). Washington told Hamilton to be careful, as his actions would be remembered forever ("History Has Its Eyes on You"). At Yorktown, Hamilton and Lafayette helped win the war ("Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)").

After the war, King George III wondered how America would manage on its own ("What Comes Next?"). Hamilton's son Philip was born, and Burr also had a daughter, Theodosia ("Dear Theodosia"). Hamilton was sad when Laurens died in a battle after the war ended. He focused on his work to cope ("Tomorrow There'll Be More of Us (The Laurens Interlude)"). Hamilton became a successful lawyer and writer. He helped create The Federalist Papers and became the first Secretary of the Treasury ("Non-Stop").

Act II: Political Battles and Personal Struggles

In 1789, Thomas Jefferson returned to America and became Secretary of State ("What'd I Miss"). Jefferson and James Madison disagreed with Hamilton's financial plans. Washington asked Hamilton to find a solution ("Cabinet Battle #1"). While Hamilton worked, Eliza and her family went on vacation ("Take a Break"). Hamilton made a mistake in his personal life with Maria Reynolds, which led to problems ("Say No to This").

Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison eventually agreed on a plan. They would support Hamilton's financial ideas if the nation's capital was moved to the Potomac River. Burr felt jealous of Hamilton's influence ("The Room Where It Happens"). Burr then defeated Hamilton's father-in-law in an election, making them rivals ("Schuyler Defeated").

In another meeting, Jefferson and Hamilton argued about helping France in a war. Washington agreed with Hamilton to keep America neutral ("Cabinet Battle #2"). Jefferson, Madison, and Burr then tried to find ways to challenge Hamilton ("Washington on Your Side"). Washington decided to retire after two terms, and Hamilton helped him write his farewell speech ("One Last Time"). King George III was surprised that Washington stepped down ("I Know Him").

Hamilton later published a strong critique of the new president, John Adams ("The Adams Administration"). Jefferson, Madison, and Burr confronted Hamilton about his past personal mistake. Hamilton, wanting to protect his public image, publicly shared details of his mistake in the Reynolds Pamphlet ("The Reynolds Pamphlet"). This deeply hurt Eliza, who burned his letters to try and erase herself from their shared history ("Burn").

Their 19-year-old son, Philip, tried to defend his father's honor in a duel ("Blow Us All Away"). Sadly, Philip was fatally shot ("Stay Alive (Reprise)"). This tragedy brought Alexander and Eliza closer again ("It's Quiet Uptown").

In the 1800 election, Hamilton supported Jefferson over Burr. This made the rivalry between Hamilton and Burr even worse. Burr then challenged Hamilton to a duel ("Your Obedient Servant"). Hamilton wrote his last letter to Eliza ("Best of Wives and Best of Women"). In the duel, Burr shot Hamilton, who later died. Burr regretted his actions, knowing history would remember him as the villain ("The World Was Wide Enough").

The musical ends with a look at how history remembers people. Eliza worked hard to keep Hamilton's memory alive. She collected stories from veterans, helped build the Washington Monument, spoke out against slavery, and started the first private orphanage in New York City ("Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story").

Main Cast Members

This table shows some of the original actors who played key roles in Hamilton productions.

Musical Songs

Musical Recordings

Original Broadway Cast Album (2015)

The original cast recording of Hamilton was released in September 2015. It quickly became very popular, reaching high spots on music charts. This album won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

The Hamilton Mixtape (2016)

This album, released in December 2016, features remixes and covers of songs from the musical. It includes many different artists.

The Hamilton Instrumentals (2017) and Hamiltunes

In June 2017, an instrumental version of the cast recording was released. This means it had all the music but no singing. The creators also allowed fans to host official "Hamiltunes" events. These are fun sing-along parties where people can perform the songs themselves.

Hamildrops (2017–2018)

Lin-Manuel Miranda released a series of 13 new Hamilton-related songs and recordings called Hamildrops. These came out once a month from December 2017 to December 2018.

• The first was "Ben Franklin's Song" by The Decemberists. It used lyrics Miranda wrote for an unused song.
• "Wrote My Way Out (Remix)" was a new version of a song from The Hamilton Mixtape.
• "Weird Al" Yankovic created "The Hamilton Polka," a funny medley of songs from the show.
• "Found/Tonight" was a mash-up song by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ben Platt. Part of the money raised helped support important causes.
• "First Burn" featured five actresses who played Eliza Hamilton. It was an early version of the song "Burn."
• The Regrettes released a cover of "Helpless."
• "Boom Goes the Cannon..." by Mobb Deep included a sample from "Right Hand Man."
• "Rise Up, Wise Up, Eyes Up" was released by the French duo Ibeyi.
• "A Forgotten Spot (Olvidado)" featured several Puerto Rican singers. It was released on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria to support Puerto Rico.
• Sara Bareilles performed "Theodosia Reprise," a song that was cut from the musical.
• "Cheering For Me Now" was an original song by John Kander and Miranda.
• The final release was "One Last Time (44 Remix)." It featured Christopher Jackson, BeBe Winans, and former U.S. president Barack Obama.

Musical Instruments

The live Broadway show uses a small group of musicians. They play:

• Two keyboards
• Bass (electric, acoustic, and synth bass)
• Guitar (electric, acoustic, and tenor banjo)
• Drums
• Percussion
• Three violins (one also plays viola)
• Cello

The conductor also plays one of the keyboard parts.

How Hamilton Began

While on vacation from his Broadway show In the Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda read a book about Alexander Hamilton. He immediately imagined it as a musical. Miranda started working on a project called The Hamilton Mixtape. In 2009, he performed an early version of the opening song, "Alexander Hamilton," at the White House. He spent another year writing "My Shot."

Miranda did a lot of research for the musical. Many lines in the songs come directly from historical documents. These include letters and important papers like The Federalist Papers.

Workshops of the show helped develop it. Miranda played Hamilton in these early versions. The musical officially premiered Off-Broadway in January 2015.

Hamilton Productions Around the World

An Off-Broadway promotional poster for the musical

Off-Broadway (2015)

Hamilton first opened at The Public Theater in New York City. Previews started on January 20, 2015, and it officially opened on February 17. The show was a huge success and sold out its entire run.

Broadway (2015–Present)

Hamilton moved to Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on August 6, 2015. It was praised by critics and won 11 Tony Awards. The show paused performances on March 12, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It happily reopened on September 14, 2021.

Chicago (2016–2020)

A Chicago production of Hamilton began in September 2016. It ran for over three years, closing on January 5, 2020, after 1,341 shows. This production made over $400 million, setting a box office record for Chicago theater.

North American Touring Productions (2017–Present)

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

Plans for a national tour started in 2016. Two main tours, called the "Angelica Tour" and the "Philip Tour," travel across North America.

• The Angelica Tour began in San Francisco in March 2017. It concluded its run on June 25, 2023, but reopened on September 4, 2024, at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.
• The Philip Tour started in Seattle in February 2018. It continues to tour North America.
• A third tour, the "And Peggy Tour," debuted in Puerto Rico in January 2019. Lin-Manuel Miranda himself returned to play Hamilton for this special engagement. This tour concluded its performances in Toronto on August 20, 2023.
• A production in Los Angeles, named the "Eliza Tour," opened on August 27, 2021, and ran until March 20, 2022.

West End (2017–Present)

Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London in December 2017

A London production of Hamilton opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre on December 21, 2017. It received excellent reviews and won seven Olivier Awards. This production also closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened on August 19, 2021.

Australia (2021–2023)

Hamilton had its Australian premiere in Sydney on March 17, 2021. It later moved to Melbourne in March 2022 and then to Brisbane in January 2023, where its run concluded on April 23, 2023.

Hamburg (2022–2023)

The first official non-English production of Hamilton opened in Hamburg, Germany, on October 6, 2022. The lyrics were translated into German. This production closed on October 15, 2023.

International Tour (2023)

An international tour began in Auckland, New Zealand, in May 2023. This production featured the Australian cast. The tour then had its Asian premiere in Manila, Philippines, in September 2023. It later moved to Abu Dhabi in January 2024 and transferred to Singapore in April 2024.

UK and Ireland Tour (2023)

A tour across the UK and Ireland began at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on November 11, 2023. It is scheduled to visit many cities, including Edinburgh, Bristol, and Dublin.

Ticket Sales and Popularity

Hamilton was incredibly popular from the start. Its off-Broadway run sold out completely. When it moved to Broadway, it had already sold millions of dollars in tickets before even opening. In November 2016, Hamilton set a Broadway record by earning $3.3 million in just one week!

Ticket Lottery and Ham4Ham

Like some other Broadway shows, Hamilton offers a ticket lottery. This gives people a chance to buy tickets at a lower price. In the beginning, Lin-Manuel Miranda would host fun mini-performances outside the theater before the lottery drawing. These were called "Ham4Ham" shows. They allowed everyone, even those who didn't win tickets, to enjoy a bit of the show.

Because so many people came to see Ham4Ham, the lottery moved online in 2016. On the first day, over 50,000 people tried to enter, which crashed the website! The Ham4Ham shows ended in August 2016, but the online lottery continues. There's even a mobile app for it now.

Awards and Recognition

Original Off-Broadway Awards

Hamilton won many awards during its off-Broadway run in 2015. It received the Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Musical, Director, and Choreographer. It also won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical. The musical earned eight Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical, Director, Music, Lyrics, Book, and Sound Design.

Original Broadway Awards

Hamilton received a record-breaking 16 nominations at the 70th Tony Awards in 2016. It won 11 of these awards, making it one of the most awarded musicals ever.

Original West End Awards

The London production of Hamilton also won many awards in 2018. It received seven Laurence Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical. Giles Terera won Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Aaron Burr.

The Idea Behind Hamilton

Hamilton is praised for how it brings history to life. The costumes and sets look like the 1700s, with velvet coats and candlelight. The musical is mostly sung and rapped, with very little spoken dialogue.

Diverse Casting

One of the most important parts of Hamilton is its diverse cast. Actors of color play historical figures like Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. Lin-Manuel Miranda wanted the cast to look like "America looks now." This helps audiences connect with the story and see history in a new way.

The musical also highlights Hamilton's story as an immigrant. It shows how he worked hard to make a difference in America. This helps create a positive image of immigrants. As actress Renée Elise Goldsberry said, "We have the opportunity to reclaim a history that some of us don't necessarily think is our own."

Historical Details

While Hamilton is based on real events, it also takes some creative liberties for storytelling. For example, some of the early meetings between characters are changed for dramatic effect. Also, some timelines are adjusted to fit the musical's narrative. The musical focuses on the spirit of the historical figures and their impact, even if some small details are different from history books.

Hamilton in Schools

Hamilton has become a fantastic tool for learning history. Teachers use the musical to make topics like the American Revolution exciting. The "Cabinet rap battles" help students understand political debates in a fun way. Many schools have created programs where students can see the show or learn about its history.

The producers of Hamilton and the Rockefeller Foundation have helped thousands of high school students from low-income families see the show on Broadway. This program makes history more accessible and engaging for young people.

Lasting Impact

The $10 Bill

In 2015, there were plans to change the image on the $10 bill and replace Alexander Hamilton. But because Hamilton the musical became so popular, the plans were changed. Hamilton's portrait stayed on the $10 bill!

Hamilton: The Revolution

In April 2016, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter released a book called Hamilton: The Revolution. It shares the journey of the musical from an idea to a Broadway hit. The book includes notes from Miranda and behind-the-scenes stories.

Hamilton's America

A documentary called Hamilton's America premiered on PBS in October 2016. It explores how Miranda created the musical and dives deeper into Hamilton's life. The film features interviews with historians and cast members.

Hamilton: The Exhibition

Hamilton: The Exhibition was an interactive museum that opened in Chicago in April 2019. It focused on Alexander Hamilton's life and the musical. The exhibition closed in August 2019.

Hamilton for Puerto Rico

Lin-Manuel Miranda Gallery at Vega Alta barrio-pueblo in Puerto Rico

After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose family has roots there, used his fame to help. He brought attention to the island's needs and encouraged tourism. He even opened a gallery and merchandise store in his family's hometown.

Fun Parodies

The popularity of Hamilton has led to many parodies.

• In 2016, a musical review called Spamilton made fun of Hamilton and other Broadway shows.
• An episode of the TV show Modern Family in 2016 featured a character creating a Hamilton parody for a college application.
• "Weird Al" Yankovic recorded a polka medley of Hamilton songs in 2018. He later made a video for it using clips from the filmed musical.

Ham4Progress: Making a Difference

Ham4Progress is a group of Hamilton cast members and staff. They use their platform to support important social justice causes.

Education

The Hamilton Education Program helps high school students from communities facing challenges. It provides awards for college-bound students.

Civic Engagement

Ham4Progress works with groups like When We All Vote to encourage people to register and vote. They also promote voter education. Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Lin-Manuel Miranda have discussed democracy and civic involvement through this initiative.

Racial Justice

Ham4Progress has supported racial justice. They joined with Hamilton Families to address family homelessness. They also celebrated Black History Month with performances highlighting Black art and artists. They have also promoted Asian & Pacific American Heritage month.

Gender Equality

Ham4Progress has supported organizations working for women's health and equality. They also support groups that help young transgender individuals and their families.

Hamilton on Screen

Filmed Stage Production

Several performances of the original Broadway cast were filmed in 2016. Walt Disney Studios acquired the rights to this film. It was released early on Disney+ on July 3, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was highly praised and became one of the most-watched films of 2020. It received many awards and nominations, including Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. The film will also be released in movie theaters in the United States and Canada on September 5, 2025, to celebrate the musical's 10th anniversary. It will also be released in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand later in 2025.

Future Film Adaptation

Lin-Manuel Miranda has said that a movie version of Hamilton might happen someday. However, he believes it should wait many years so people can enjoy the stage show first. He also mentioned that making a musical into a great movie is a challenge.

See also

In Spanish: Hamilton (musical) para niños