Hamilton On Broadway: How to Brush Up On The Man Behind The Musical
Hamilton on Broadway is a quick-paced rap-style play that makes American history cooler than ever. Learn about the life that inspired the craze. And enjoy the Hamilton musical even more.
When has history ever been trendier than in Richard Rodger’s Hamilton, the Broadway musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda?
It’s the hottest ticket in town, no matter if that town is NYC or a city near you hosting Hamilton touring.
And for good reason.
The live musical score and storyline really is all that you’ve heard it is. An inspiring, get-in-your-head, feel-it-in-your bones experience that’s unlike anything else you’ve seen. American Revolution history told through rap, hip-hop, dance and great costuming. A story that contains all the excitement of a modern day movie (hence the Disney+ movie version of Hamilton). A tale that, at its core, is just as relevant today as when it took place some 200 years ago.
Thanks to having been out a few years, tickets to Hamilton on tour and on Broadway are a bit easier to score. But, they can still be an investment. So making it worth it requires a little homework.
The sung dialogue in the Hamilton musical moves fast and a lot of history is covered in a short period of time. It’s easy to get lost if you’re a little rusty on the comings and goings of the founding fathers.
I promise you - learning about the life of Hamilton before seeing the play will go a long way in helping you love the play even more.
And doing a little research prior to taking your tween or teen to see the play can turn it into a legitimate educational gem.
If you or your son or daughter are feeling ambitious, you could read the 800+ page source of Miranda’s inspiration, the book Alexander Hamilton by historian Ron Chernow. Not feeling quite that zealous? (Or worried you’ll effectively put the nail in the coffin of your child’s desire to learn when you hand them such a big book?)
Other great books, documentaries and activities can make sure you or your teen is in the loop with all things Hamilton. Here are our top picks.
Take a Hamilton-Inspired Trip
Travel is my favorite way to learn. So I think the best way to learn about Hamilton is by packing your suitcase and hitting the road.
Hamilton made his mark in many ways and in many places. Lots of historic spots provide an opportunity to be where he was, learning about his life.
We loved visiting Hamilton Grange, for example. Built in 1802, the Grange served as Hamilton’s country home in Harlem. The house is where he lived for two years preceeding his death. The building was later moved twice, but still remains on the 32 acres of the original land.
You don’t need to be in New York to visit places associated with the founding father though. Washington D.C, Virginia, and even North Carolina have must-see places for Hamilton fans.
The website Travel Herstory has a detailed itinerary of where to go. From visiting presidential homes to museums to battlefields, you can learn not only about Hamilton. You’ll also gain insight into the people and places who shaped his life and our country’s history. Check out their post on how to plan a “Hamilton the Musical” inspired trip HERE.
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Read The Duel: The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr by Judith St. George
The Duel: The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr gets to the heart of the matter. It details the main conflict in the play and in Hamilton’s real life. It examines Hamilton’s relationship with Aaron Burr, the man who eventually took his life.
It’s an easy to comprehend, short, middle school or young high school read to give kids the backstory of the climax of the play. It portrays Hamilton and Burr as two men whose fates were intertwined long before one was killed by the other.
Several scenes in the play refer to topics covered in the book so playgoers will have a leg up following the ultra-fast lyrics in those scenes.
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Watch the documentary, Hamilton: Building America
Rather do your Hamilton homework with with your feet propped up in front of a movie?
Never fear. The documentary Hamilton: Building America provides the cinematic version. Tom Brokaw and author Ron Chernow contribute to this 2017 84-minute film that gives a comprehensive overview of Hamilton’s life. You’ll learn about it all, from his upbringing to why some say his legacy is the most important of any founding father.
And of course the doc doesn’t leave out the great scandals of Alexander’s story. Start popping the popcorn because Hamilton’s life plays out like a blockbuster.
Enjoy this freebie just for stopping by!
Read Alexander Hamilton’s Guide to Life by Jeff Wilser
Wilser’s Alexander Hamilton’s Guide to Life is a fresh take on the Hamilton story because it’s presented in an original way. It’s a rule book of life, Hamiltonian style. The author uses the writings and doings of the founding father to explain what his life might teach. Turns out those lessons are about things like money, style, romance .... and everything in between.
Short chapters make the book reader friendly, although it’s geared more toward adults or older high school students because a base knowledge of history is assumed.
Lessons like “don’t join the club, make the club” and “let others take the credit” make you realize just how relevant Hamilton’s philosophies are in today’s world. That is really what I think has sparked Hamilton fever in the first place.
We’ve checked out lots of places to stay in NYC! Check out 3 of our favorites:
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Listen to Hamilton: Original Broadway Cast Recording
The Hamilton soundtrack is vastly popular with young teens and seeing the play is on lots of kids’ wish lists. Just listening to the songs from the play are a history lesson in itself. Each song is packed with information, facts, and emotional connections.
The soundtrack not only tells the story of Hamilton, but also the story of our nation at that time. It’s full of real history, great take-aways and fantastic nuggets to spark questions and conversation.
So stream the music or buy the CD, listen to the songs and bam! You’ve just managed to check the pre-show homework box.
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Read My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray
I love historical fiction because it fills in the blanks on the stories of the past. That’s especially true when it’s done well, as it is in My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton.
Historical fiction seems so fitting when talking about seeing Hamilton on Broadway. The genre is all about making you feel like you’re a part of the story and that’s what the Broadway play does so well.
And Eliza is such an integral part of the story, as is her silence on the scandal of the marriage. It’s especially apropos for her voice to be the one to teach you all you need to know before seeing the play.
Wondering if Hamilton on Broadway is good for kids? The rule of thumb is that it’s best for 10 or 12 and up. It has about as much bad language as a PG-13 movie and references to alcohol and adultery. So, parents will want to use discretion when making the decision if it’s right for their child.
Do an activity, like Alexander Hamilton: The Lesson Plan by Students of History
If you really want to make the play an educational experience, check out Teaching History With Hamilton. It’s a whole website dedicated to using the play and songs to teach.
Or browse through Hamilton resources on Teacher Pay Teacher. The site has tons of lessons and resources on Hamilton on Broadway.
I used several in our homeschool curriculum. Combining activities with the play created an entire unit on Hamilton for our social studies requirement. And if you find some assignments are overkill, you can customize the lessons and use just what you wish.
