Hamilton after school program: After School Programming

After School Programming

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

FALL 2022 PROGRAMMING

Hamilton Elementary partners with CPS approved vendors for after school, co-curricular programming. 

After School Programs

Upon dismissal at the end of the school day students will be escorted to the cafeteria to meet their After School Program instructors and coaches. Students will enjoy a snack before they are picked up by their instructor. 

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At 4pm students will be dismissed at Door 1 and will be released to parents. If your child is allowed to walk home please email Ms. Denise with a note of consent. [email protected]

Amigos Spanish Club

For Kindergarten-4th Graders

Arte y Cultura- Learning Spanish is as easy as uno, dos, tres! In Amigos, children will dive deep into the traditions and get a taste of the culture of Spanish speaking nations across the globe as well as learn basic vocabulary words such as numbers, colors, shapes, greetings, days of the week and more. Sing, clap, and count your way towards learning the Spanish language.

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Hamilton Spanish Class $182.50 (early bird before 9/19)

Course Code: HAT9.26.22

• Mondays 3-4pm

  • Start Date: September 26, 2022​

  • End Date: December 19, 2022

  • No Session: October 10, 2022, October 31, 2022 and November 21, 2022

REGISTER HERE

CONTACT INFO

iSteam

For Kindergarten-4th Graders

iSTEAM is a fun hands-on after school program that brings Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics education to elementary-age students. 

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We offer learning through hands-on, project-based activities that allow students to solve real-world problems through out-of-the-box thinking and develop the skills that are necessary to excel in the technologically-advanced world.

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Hamilton iSteam $242

• Mondays 3-4pm

  • Start Date: September 19, 2022​

  • End Date: December 12, 2022

  • No Session: October 10, 2022 and November 21, 2022

REGISTER HERE

CONTACT INFO

Broadway Basics

For 1st-4th Graders

American Eagle Productions has blazed the trail for youth and educational theatre in the Chicagoland area, bringing the performing arts to over 300 schools and groups a year for the past 28 years.  

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Our programming builds confidence, fosters empathy, and encourages collaboration as well as provides a safe space for children to express themselves.

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This fall students will celebrate the magic of Dia de los Muertos inspired by Coco! Through drama games, improv, music, and movement, students will collaborate to create their own poco loco characters and original stories inspired by the hit Disney movie.

The session culminates in a one-of-a-kind performance you’ll be sure to remember!

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Hamilton Broadway Basics Fall Session $222

• Tuesdays 3-4pm

  • Start Date: September 13, 2022​

  • End Date: December 13, 2022

  • No Session: November 8, 2022 and November 23, 2022

REGISTER HERE

CONTACT INFO

iCook

For Kindergarten-4th Graders

iCook is a fun hands-on after-school cooking program for children at elementary and middle schools.  We are teaching kids how to make and love healthy dishes one school at a time.

We teach culinary skills, recipe reading, nutritional value, and we cultivate an environment where diversity is celebrated through cultural food awareness.

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Hamilton iCook $286

• Wednesdays 3-4pm

  • Start Date: September 21, 2022​

  • End Date: December 14, 2022

  • No Session: November 23, 2022

REGISTER HERE

CONTACT INFO

Young Rembrandts

For Kindergarten-5th Graders

Young Rembrandts is an art enrichment program for children ages 3.5 to 12. We teach children how to draw using a process-based methodology centered on developing academic, conceptual, and critical thinking skills.

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Experience the colorful magic of fall in the Young Rembrandts classroom. Kick off the season with an interesting Iguana, a video game favorite Pixel Block Character and the geometrical world of architecture as we draw the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Later, students will immerse themselves in the seasonal spirit as they learn still life technique of pumpkins, draw a detailed Scarecrow, and draw a silly but challenging Patterned Bat. We’ll draw these (and many more exciting lessons!) while we improve creative and critical thinking skills today’s students need.

All lessons are original – developed by a team of artists and educators. Our prescreened and highly trained instructors celebrate the positive in every child; reinforcing and educating good character, improved self-esteem and self-ability.

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Hamilton Young Rembrandts Fall Session $189

• Wednesdays 2:50-3:50pm

  • Start Date: September 14, 2022​

  • End Date: November 30, 2022

  • No Session: November 23, 2022

REGISTER HERE

CONTACT INFO

LVL Basketball

For K-5th Graders

LVL Basketball is providing after-school, enrichment basketball as part of the extra-curricular offerings for the students and parent community of Hamilton Elementary School. The objective of this program is to provide young players (grades K through 5th) a positive basketball experience through fun and engaging instruction, while increasing knowledge of the sport.

Players (boys & girls) will experience positive coaching and develop their basketball skills through game-based coaching. From ball handling and footwork to shooting and scoring, players will receive well-rounded instruction which will set them up for success in future basketball programming. 

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Hamilton After-School Basketball Clubs

• Wednesdays 3-4pm: 3rd through 5th Grade

  • Start Date: August 31, 2022​

  • End Date: December 14, 2022

  • No Session: November 23, 2022

• Thursdays 3-4pm: Kindergarten through 2nd Grade

  • Start Date: September 1, 2022​

  • End Date: December 15, 2022

  • No Session: November 24, 2022

REGISTER HERE

CONTACT INFO

Knuckleball Improv

For 1st-5th Graders

Sign your kids up for a session of laughter and fun in this after school Improv + Performance class with Knuckleball Comedy. We create an environment full of support  to foster creativity and build active listeners. ​​

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In this program, 1st-5th graders will engage in theatre games and mind exercises that focus on the basics of improv methodology, storytelling, and sketch comedy.

Working with a professional improv and performance educator, students journey through activities that prompt them to solve creative problems, invent new stories, build ideas, strengthen communication, and forge friendships.

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Hamilton Knuckleball Improv $221

• Fridays 3-4pm

  • Start Date: August 29, 2022​

  • End Date: December 9, 2022

  • No Session: September 23, 2022 and November 25, 2022

REGISTER HERE

CONTACT INFO

Chess Scholars

For Kindergarten-8th Graders

Develop your child’s intellect through the royal game of chess! Current research has shown a strong link between chess and academic performance in a variety of areas, including mathematics and language arts. Chess has been proven to enhance children’s motivation, concentration, focus, social skills, and creativity.

Each class will consist of a fun, interactive teaching period and guided practice time. Both beginner and experienced players are welcome and will learn under the guidance of an experienced Chess Scholars coach.

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Hamilton Chess Scholars $172.50 (early bird before 9/23)

Course Code: HAT9.30.22

• Fridays 3-4pm

  • Start Date: September 30, 2022​

  • End Date: December 16, 2022

  • No Session: October 21, 2022 and November 25, 2022

REGISTER HERE

CONTACT INFO

Not what you were looking for?

Hamilton partners with BASH KIDS CLUB and the YMCA for after school care.

Before/After School Care / Before/After School Care

• The Hamilton Area YMCA’s BASE (Before and After School Enrichment) Programs serves over 400 working families, providing a safe, fun and supervised environment for children during the before and after school hours. We hire and train role models with a genuine love for children and a vested interest in making them healthier, more confident individuals.

   For 30+ years, Hamilton Township parents have relied on the Y to provide convenient, affordable before and after school care. But most of all, they enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing their children are growing and learning in a positive, fun environment.

  PROGRAM

  • The program is offered on-site at Alexander, Kisthardt, Kuser, Langtree, McGalliard, Mercerville, Morgan, Robinson, Sayen, Sunnybrae, University Heights, Yardville and Yardville Heights Elementary Schools.
  • State licensed by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
  • Before School Program operates from 7:15 a.m. until the start of the school day.
  • After School Program operates from end of school day until 6:00 p.m. and will operate on all scheduled half day sessions.
  • Planned activities, homework support and community service projects are components of the YMCA School Age Care Curriculum. In addition, we provide children with 30 minutes of vigorous activity each day
  • A snack is offered in both the morning and afternoon program.
  • Peanut and tree nut free environment

  STAFFING

  • Staff are trained in CPR, AED, and First Aid with EpiPen administration.
  • Qualified, friendly staff nurtures growth, builds self-confidence and instills a sense of community.
  • Staff are required to complete training hours in: child abuse prevention, health & safety standards, positive guidance & discipline.

  ENROLLMENT & REGISTRATION

  • Partial week schedules available.
  • Mercer County Child Care and New Jersey Cares for Kids vouchers are accepted.
  • Hamilton Area YMCA Financial Assistance available to those who qualify.

  Click Here For The Hamilton YMCA Program Website

   

• • CYO operates Before and After Care at Greenwood, Klockner, Wilson, and Lalor Schools
  • AM Care is from 7:20 to 8:45 and the cost is $90. 00 per month
  • PM Care is from 3:35-6:00 and the cost is $165.00 per month
  • Both Before and After Care is $225.00 per month (please check with facility for up to date fee)
  • We follow the Hamilton Township Calendar including half day dismissal times.
  • Child Care Connection and Mercer County Child Vouchers are accepted.
  • PM snacks provided.
  • We maintain a 10-1 staff to student ratio.
  • We are licensed by the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services, Bureau of Licensing.
  • For more information contact Patrick Hardiman at 585-4280 x 102, or via e-mail at [email protected]

Who is this “Hamilton” or how does music revive history? | by Marina Condal

11 min read

·

Aug 28, 2018

Two years ago, while wandering through the list of Pulitzer Prize winners, I first came across the name of Lin-Manuel Miranda. Of course, my trained in all Hispanic eyes could not miss the winner in the nomination “Drama” ( theatrical production ). The merit of an American composer with Puerto Rican roots was the deft and skillful transposition of the life of such a key figure in American history as Alexander Hamilton into the language of hip-hop. Musical 9 in three years0013 “Hamilton” managed to collect an indecent number of awards (including Tony and Grammy ), and Lin-Manuel Miranda received so many enthusiastic mentions in the American press that even a more or less informed US citizen knows this Name.

In fact, Miranda came under the ray of attention of the culturally progressive public back in May 2009, when the newly elected 44th US President and his wife Michelle decided to arrange an “evening of poetry, music and words” in the White House. The event was supposed to broadcast the idea of ​​​​pluralism, important for the presiding couple, in which it is preached that there will be enough space for everyone in the room under the sign “Democracy”. The guests of the musical and poetic party, respectively, were young performers, whom nature has awarded with swarthy skin and dark hair. Among them – a little twitchy, fledgling 29-year-old Lin-Manuel. He begins his speech by sharing his plans with the public – he is working on an album in honor of the man who embodies hip-hop – the first US Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. A wave of laughter runs through the hall. In order not to be thought of as an unfounded buffoon, Miranda backs up her ambitious plan with a rap song from which the musical “Hamilton” was born. He strikes:

How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a
Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a
Forgotten spot in the Caribbean by providence
Impoverished, in squalor
Grow up to be a hero and a scholar?

(Recommended listening to the entire track.)

Audience eyes light up, mouths open, Barack Obama smugly smiles like he’s just unearthed a treasure, Michelle Obama snaps his fingers as the pages of Hamilton’s biography take on a rap sound.

How did it happen that one of the founding fathers of the United States, whose portrait adorns the 10 dollar bill, inspired Miranda to create a unique musical and theatrical project that is equally interesting to millennials and baby boomers?

If we proceed from the fact that the culture of hip-hop originated from the need of social and ethnic minorities in the United States to be heard and throw out unspent energy, then the figure of Alexander Hamilton fits very organically into this underground trend. His biography can serve as one of the very first and vivid illustrations of the thesis cherished by the Democrats – in America, any immigrant without money and an impeccable noble origin, but with talent and ambition, is able to achieve fame and respect.

The future hero of the American Revolution and associate of George Washington was born on the small island of Nevis in the Caribbean on January 11, 1755. His father was from Scotland and his mother was French. Parents were not officially married, in connection with this, little Alexander constantly had to endure the attacks of his peers. The situation worsened when the father abandoned the family. I had to fight not with ridicule, but with poverty. A year after his father left, his mother died. Alexander was taken under his wing by the wealthy merchant Thomas Stevens. It was rumored that he was the biological father of the boy. How else to explain the strong resemblance between Alexander and Stevens’ son, Edward? And why did the merchant, instead of taking two orphans under his wing, invited only Alexander?

However, finding a new home did not become a reason to plunge headlong into a carefree childhood. When Hamilton was 13 years old, he got a job as a clerk in a trading company. It was there that he received his first valuable knowledge of doing business and discovered ingenuity and mathematical abilities unusual for his age. The company’s manager, New Yorker Nicholas Kruger, was impressed by the boy’s quick wit. He could clear customs, draw up waybills, advise ship captains. Krueger trusted his young subordinate so much that he could safely leave him to manage business during his absences.

Hamilton’s abilities were not limited to accounting and logistics, in his spare time he was fond of reading books, which became his main teachers in literature, history and natural sciences. When the first newspaper Royal Danish American Gazette was printed on the island of the Holy Cross, Alexander had the opportunity to show his writing talents. At first, he dabbled in love lyrics. However, the turning point in the fate of the boy was a natural disaster that hit the island on August 31, 1772. A powerful hurricane and a storm that demolished trees on its way so impressed the boy that a week later he decided to share his impressions about him in a letter to his father. Before sending this letter, he showed it to his friend, Pastor Hugh Knox. He was fascinated by the power of the style and insisted that such a talented presentation of events be published in the newspaper. The far-sighted priest wrote an introductory remark to the letter, in which he informed readers that the author of the note was a teenager. Needless to say, the dramatic story about the hurricane caused a storm of delight among the public. Wealthy readers began raising money to send Hamilton to New York for a real education. It is not good for a young talent to bury his potential on a small, provincial island!

That’s the saying about Hamilton’s career path. In fact, the song that Lin-Manuel Miranda sang in front of the Obama couple is a chronicle of Hamilton’s early and character-shaping failures. 7 years after Miranda’s self-confident statement about working on a hip-hop album about one of the American founding fathers, he again appeared in the White House. This time, not as a little-known composer and playwright, but as a full-fledged triumph surrounded by the cast of the musical Hamilton , in which he plays the main role.

(Watch from the 9th minute)

After that performance in 2016, my must-see list has grown. This summer in London, I was lucky enough to watch the Broadway Phenomenon, which all my New York acquaintances were talking about in a state of exaltation and strongly recommended buying tickets at least six months in advance. I was forced to hurry up with the purchase in January by the fact that it was in the summer of 2018 that the audience in London’s West End had the last chance to see the performance performed by at least half of the original cast (Lin Manuel himself stopped playing the role of Hamilton back in July 2016 , but promised to return – for example, in 2019year in the home of his parents, in Puerto Rico).

Before I move on to impressions, I must tell you one curious detail, which in politically correct American homes is not even customary to pay attention to. But since I am writing for a Russian-speaking audience that likes to call a spade a spade and sees the root, then why hide the fact that the roles of such significant historical figures as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Aaron Behr and George Washington are played by African-American actors.

The play’s director Thomas Keil explains the colorful reception as follows: “This is a story about past America, told by America today.” Considering that the only role written for a white actor is the role of King George III of England, the great conqueror of the colonies, the casting mechanism for the musical Hamilton is not just an example of “reverse discrimination” in action, it is also a fig in your pocket. .

Just don’t think that I’m judging the creators. I’ve already seen in London National Theater Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors” , where separated twins were played by African-American actors. I’m already silent about my desire to see “Antony and Cleopatra” , where African-American Sophie Okonedo will play a duet with Rife Fiennes.

But stop procrastinating! It’s time for us to move on to the exquisite and recently renovated Victoria Palace Theater , which will be the English home of “Hamilton” for the next few years.

Stage decorations caress the eyes of those who have an inner aesthetic censor who fears that the action from the 1770s to 1804 will unfold in our modern setting. Against the background of red-brick walls, wooden scaffolding rises, from which ropes hang. The scenery, which minimalistically reproduces the construction of the ship, is a respectful nod to the New York 18th century, when the new nation was being built.

I confess that my love for musicals is not my distinguishing feature, so I took Skepsis with me as a partner. After the first number, he had already turned into a shadow, and after the second, he completely disappeared into the air. Why?

From the first minutes, the wholeness and organic nature of the composition captivate. It would seem, how can the costumes of heroes, which are copied from the chronicles of colonial America and the war of independence, be combined with rap and blacks Aaron Beur, James Madison and George Washington? Imagine – they can!

And the main element that glues the attributes of the past with the signs of the present is rap. Firstly, the rhythmic recitatives of the characters are consonant with the language of the revolution and the constant discussions in which the truth called the Declaration of Independence (1776) was born. Secondly, the rap format allowed Lin-Manuel Miranda to make musical numbers as informative, lexically and semantically charged as possible. Each composition is like a chapter from a book or as a separate lesson, and such that after it you can go to school like a holiday.

My biggest impression during the first act was My shot , during which Hamilton, in the style of Eminem, self-describes himself as “Hey, yo, I’m just like my country / I’m young, scrappy and hungry / And I’m not throwing away my shot. ” But even before this issue, a master class in rap reading is given by Alexander’s revolutionary-minded young comrades. They gather in a tavern and present themselves to the public in a gangster spirit. They mint beats on the table, rattle mugs, provoke the audience with beatboxes, rhyming obscenities, in general, with everything that is inherent in the musical abilities of African Americans by nature.

However, one should not think that the entire musical is dedicated to the art of composing rhythmic, lexically rich constructions. The performance has a decent amount of melodic compositions. The female trio of the Skyler sisters is responsible for the R&B style, one of whom Alexander Hamilton will take as his wife. They sweetly sound either in the style of Disney princesses, or in the style of Destiny’s Child .

By the way, Eliza Hamilton (played by Filipina Rachel En Go) was my least favorite. From her cutesy singing, I even dreamed of the shadow of my disappeared Skepsis. It’s the reason I don’t like musicals. I had a lot of sympathy for the performance of her sister Angelica (African-American Rachel John), despite plot hints that she had a love correspondence with Hamilton (this fact is still disputed by some historians).

King George III became the main character responsible for my audience delight.

Michael Gibson, in the role of a half-crazed usurper of the rights of the American colonies, brought elements of farce into the musical. Wearing his status robe, which is a reference to a portrait by Thomas Gainsborough, he appears before the audience to an upbeat 60s pop tune. When he brings out the first verse, you understand that the text of the song serves as an aid to the comic talent of the actor. No matter how comical it may sound, the subtext behind it is quite serious – it is written in the style of a letter that the king addresses to his rebellious subjects, the inhabitants of the colonies. In a rhythm reminiscent of an unforgettable hit from Turtles “Happy Together” , he admonishes the American revolutionaries that they will come to their senses, regret the tea thrown into the sea and return to their king. And if they do not return, then he will definitely remind them of his love – he will send his armed army to them. Given that this threat is played to the music that romantic songs are usually sung to, promising love to the grave, then you can appreciate all the comedy. It is also appreciated by the English public. I doubt that they themselves would have dared to come up with a reason to laugh at their king, but since the Americans did it for them, why not succumb to the temptation. History – also one of the laughable ones, she loves to smirk – did George III think that the people who unleashed the war for independence in the 1770s would stage a brawl in the form of a musical in his native land in 2018?!

It’s time to return to those brave men whose madness is sung in Hamilton. The main role in the play was played by Jamael Westman.

Watching his play, I never regretted that the first performer of this role and the author of the musical, Lin-Manuel, was not in his place. Now I will make a remark that would bring thunder and lightning on me from the American public. But I will take advantage of their ignorance of the Russian language and express my opinion – Miranda is undeniably talented as an author / composer, but I don’t like his acting style. He belongs to that artistic type of people who loves bravado and overdoes it with emotions.

Hamilton performed by Jamael Westman turned out to be more solid and noble.

The well-known confrontation between two ideological antagonists, Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, was vividly played up in a number reminiscent of a modern rap battle. These two smartest statesmen were arguing zealously about what kind of newborn America should be. One was a supporter of industrialization, centralization of power and the creation of a national bank, the second dreamed of distributing power among the states and actively supported agriculture. As a result, Hamilton went down in history as the founder of the American financial system, and Jefferson as the father of the Democratic Party.

On the whole, the second act turned out to be less provocative, but full of dramatic and scandalous events. Serious passions unfold before the viewer because of Hamilton’s affair with a young married lady, Maria Reynolds. This connection on the side hit both the pocket of the Minister of Finance (he had to pay off his husband Reynolds, who was blackmailing him), and his reputation in the professional sphere, where his enemies were especially happy about the exposed vices of their strong opponent.

Hamilton’s life was cut short in an unfortunate but typical duel of that time. Almost from the moment of his bright start in New York, he has acquired a reliable enemy in the person of Aaron Beur. The enmity between the two politicians grew more and more every year. When Beur found out that Hamilton had spoken unflatteringly about him in the circle of their mutual colleagues, there was only one way out – “To the barrier!”

Last lyric composition “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” is an American-style epitaph. All the heroes of the musical, including even those who opposed Hamilton during his lifetime, list his merits, and his wife Eliza, who outlived her husband by 50 years, makes a promise that she will tell the world about him.

Once upon a time in one of my favorite books on US history “A History of the American People” by Paul Johnson, I saw a very accurate remark, the meaning of which boils down to the following – great historical events are determined, first of all, by the abilities of people, behind them. It is difficult to find in a textbook on American history a period richer in talented individuals than the period of the revolution and the subsequent formation of an independent state.

Does the musical project Hamilton have a future in a non-English speaking environment? Most likely, individual tracks will easily conquer, if not already conquered, playlists even of Russian-speaking fans of hip-hop music. At the same time, I believe that the minimum percentage of the audience will be interested in the historical layer that served as the basis for writing the musical. Nevertheless, the project has one great merit, which fully shows its viability in American schools – a didactic function disguised as an entertaining one. Let’s say the parents of careless schoolchildren complain that they use history books like flyswatters and spend their golden years watching battles between the heroes of our time, which are named after unpleasant goo and distorted literary device. The mechanism of “Hamilton” is the answer to the question of how to make the personalities of Peter I, Catherine II and further on the list of the school curriculum become interesting to our younger generation.

Who is this “Hamilton” or how does music revive history?

Two years ago, as my eyes wandered down the list of Pulitzer Prize winners, I
first came across the name of Lin-Manuel Miranda. Of course, my trained on
all hispanic eyes could not miss the winner in
nominations “Drama” ( theatrical production ).
The merit of the American composer with Puerto Rican roots was the deft and
a skillful retelling of the life of such a key character in American history
like Alexander Hamilton to the language of hip-hop. Musical 9 in three years0013 Hamilton managed to collect an indecent number of awards (including
of which Tony and Grammy ), and to the share of Lin-Manuel
Miranda received so many enthusiastic mentions in the American press that even
a slightly knowledgeable US citizen knows this name.

In fact, under the ray of attention of the culturally progressive public, Miranda
hit back in May 2009, when the newly elected 44th President of the United States and his wife
Michelle decided to host an “evening of poetry, music and words” at the White House.
The event was supposed to broadcast an important idea for the presiding couple
pluralism, in which it is preached that in a room under the sign “Democracy”
enough space for everyone. Guests of the musical and poetic party, respectively
became young performers whom nature endowed with swarthy skin and dark
hair. Among them – a little twitchy, fledgling 29-year-old Lin-Manuel.
He begins his speech by sharing with the audience his
plans — he is working on an album in honor of the man who embodies
hip-hop, by the first US Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. In the hall
bursts of laughter. In order not to be known as an unfounded jester, Miranda
backs up his ambitious plan with the rap song from which the musical was born
Hamilton . He raps out:

How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a
Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a
Forgotten spot in the Caribbean by providence
Impoverished, in squalor
Grow up to be a hero and a scholar?

(I recommend listening to the whole song.)

The audience’s eyes light up, mouths open, Barack Obama smugly
smiles like he just dug up a treasure, Michelle Obama snaps his fingers
as the pages of Hamilton’s biography take on a rap sound.

How did it happen that one of the founding fathers of the United States, whose portrait adorns
10 dollar bill, inspired Miranda to create a unique
musical and theatrical project, which is equally interesting to millennials and
baby boomers?

Assuming that hip-hop culture was born out of the need
social and ethnic minorities in the United States to be heard and speak out
unspent energy, the figure of Alexander Hamilton is very organically
fits into this underground trend. His biography can serve as one of
the very first and vivid illustrations of the thesis cherished by the Democrats – in America
any immigrant without money and impeccable noble birth, but with
the presence of talent and ambition is able to achieve fame and respect.

The future hero of the American Revolution and associate of George Washington was born on
on the small island of Nevis in the Caribbean on January 11, 1755. His father was
originally from Scotland, and her mother is French. Parents were not officially married,
in this regard, little Alexander constantly had to endure the attacks of his
peers. The situation worsened when the father abandoned the family. I had to fight
no longer with ridicule, but with poverty. A year after the death of his father, he died
mother. Alexander was taken under his wing by the wealthy merchant Thomas Stevens. Went
rumors that it was he who was the biological father of the boy. How else to explain
strong resemblance between Alexander and Stevens’ son, Edward? And why is the merchant instead
in order to take two orphans under his wing, invited only Alexander?

However, finding a new home was not a reason to plunge headlong into
carefree childhood. When Hamilton was 13 years old, he got a job as a
clerk in a trading company. It was there that he received his first valuable knowledge of
running a business and discovered a savvy and out of character for his age
mathematical ability. Company manager, New Yorker Nicholas Krueger,
was impressed by the boy’s grasping mind. He could clear the goods, draw up
invoices, advise ship captains. Krueger had such confidence in his
to a young subordinate who could with peace of mind leave the conduct of business to him
during their absences.

Hamilton’s abilities were not limited to the field of accounting and logistics, in
In his free time, he was fond of reading books, which became his main
teachers in literature, history and natural sciences. When on the island of St.
Cross, the first newspaper Royal Danish American Gazette was printed, Alexander had the opportunity to show his writing talents.
At first, he dabbled in love lyrics. However, a turning point in the fate of the boy
was a natural disaster that hit the island on August 31, 1772. Powerful
the hurricane and storm, which demolished trees in their path, so struck the boy that
a week later, he decided to share his impressions of him in a letter to his father.
Before sending this letter, he showed it to his friend, Pastor Hugh
Knox. He was fascinated by the power of the style and insisted that such a talented
a summary of the events was published in the newspaper. The far-sighted priest wrote to
letter, an introductory word in which he notified readers that the author of the note
is a teenager. Needless to say, the dramatic story of the hurricane
provoked an uproar from the public. Wealthy readers started raising money for
sending Hamilton to New York for a real education. Worthless
young talent to bury his potential on a small, provincial island!

Such is the saying about Hamilton’s career path. In fact, the song
performed by Lin-Manuel Miranda in front of the Obama couple is a chronicle of the first and
character-shaping failures of Hamilton. 7 years after self-confident
Miranda’s statements about working on a hip-hop album about one of the American
founding fathers, he reappeared in the White House. Not like this time
little-known composer and playwright, but as a full-fledged triumphant in
surrounded by the cast of the musical Hamilton , in which he performs
main role.

(Watch from the 9th minute)

Since that performance in 2016, my must-see list has grown. This summer
in London, I was lucky enough to see the Broadway Phenomenon, about which everyone
my New York acquaintances spoke in a state of exaltation and strongly
recommended to buy tickets at least six months in advance. Hurry up with the purchase
in January, I was forced by the fact that it was in the summer of 2018 that viewers in
London West End was the last chance to see the play in
performance of at least half of the original cast (Lin Manuel himself
stopped playing the role of Hamilton back in July 2016, but promised
to return — for example, in 2019 in the homeland of their parents, in Puerto Rico).

Before I pass on to impressions, I must tell you one curious
a detail that is not even accepted in politically correct American homes
pay attention. But, since I am writing for a Russian-speaking audience, which
likes to call a spade a spade and sees the root, why hide that roles
such significant historical figures as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Aaron
Beur and George Washington, performed by African-American actors?

Colorful Technique Director of the play Thomas Keil explains
as follows: “This is the story of the America of the past, told by the America of today.”
Considering that the only role written for a white actor,
is the role of King George III of England, the great conqueror of the colonies, then
casting mechanism for the musical “Hamilton”  — it’s not easy
an example of “reverse discrimination” in action, it’s also a fig in your pocket.

Just don’t think that I’m judging the creators. I have already looked at
London National Theater Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors” , where separated twins were played by African-American actors. I’m silent about
my desire to see “Antony and Cleopatra” , where in a duet with Rife
Fiennes will be played by African-American Sophie Okonedo.

But stop procrastinating! It’s time for us to be transferred to the refined and recently
refurbished Victoria Palace Theater which will be
English home for Hamilton for the next few
years.

Stage decorations caress the eyes of those who have an inner censor-esthete
fears that the actions from the 1770s to 1804 will unfold in our
contemporary setting. Against the background of red-brick walls rise wooden
scaffolding from which ropes hang. Decorations that reproduce minimalistically
building a ship, a respectful nod to 18th century New York,
when was being built a new nation.

I confess that the love of musicals is not my hallmark, so in
as a partner, I took Skepsis with me. After the first number, he
turned into a shadow, and after the second, completely disappeared into the air. Why?

From the first minutes, the integrity and organicity of the composition captivate. It would seem that,
how can the costumes of heroes that are copied from the chronicles of colonial America and
wars of independence, combined with rap and blacks Aaron Beur,
James Madison and George Washington? Imagine – they can!

And the main element that glues the attributes of the past with the signs of the present,
becomes rap. Firstly, the rhythmic recitatives of the characters are consonant with the language
revolution and constant discussions in which the truth called
Declaration of Independence (1776). Secondly, the rap format allowed Lin-Manuel
Miranda to make musical numbers as informative as possible, lexically and
semantically charged. Each composition is like a chapter from a book or
a separate lesson, and moreover, such that after it you can go to school as
holiday.

The biggest impression on me during the first act was made by
composition My shot , during which Hamilton in the style of Eminem
self-describes himself as “Hey, yo, I’m just like my country / I’m young, scrappy and hungry / And
I’m not throwing away my shot. ” But even before this issue, they give a master class on rap reading
revolutionary-minded young comrades of Alexander. They are going to
tavern and present themselves to the public in a gangster spirit. Minting bits on
table, rattling mugs, teasing the audience with beatboxes rhyming
obscenity, in general, all that is inherent in nature in musical
abilities of African Americans.

However, one should not think that the entire musical is dedicated to the art of composing rhythmic,
lexically rich constructions. The performance will have a decent amount
melodic compositions. The female trio of sisters is responsible for the style of R&B
Skyler, one of whom Alexander Hamilton would take as his wife. They
sweet voice either in the style of Disney princesses, or in the style of Destiny’s Child .

By the way, my least favorite was Eliza Hamilton (performed by
Filipina Rachel En Go). From her cutesy singing, I even dreamed of a shadow
my vanished Skepticism. It’s the reason I don’t like musicals. Big
I was sympathetic to the performance of her sister Angelica (African-American Rachel
John), despite plot hints that she was in love correspondence with
Hamilton (this fact is still disputed by some historians).

The main character responsible for my audience delight was King George
III.

Michael Gibson as a half-crazed American colonial rights usurper
brought elements of farce into the musical. In the attire due to his status, which
is a reference to the portrait by Thomas Gainsborough, he appears in front of
the audience to an upbeat tune in the style of pop music of the 60s. When he brings out
the first verse, then you understand that we will help the actor’s comic talent
serves directly as the lyrics. No matter how comical it may sound, the subtext behind
it is quite serious – it is written in the style of the letter that the king addresses
to their rebellious subjects, the inhabitants of the colonies. In a rhythm reminiscent of an unforgettable
hit from Turtles “Happy Together” he admonishes
American revolutionaries that they will come to their senses, regret the
sea ​​of ​​tea and return to their king. And if they don’t come back, then he will definitely
remind them of his love— send his armed army to them. Taking into account
the fact that this threat sounds to the music to which romantic
songs that promise love to the grave, then you can appreciate all the comedy. His
appreciated by the English public. I doubt they would dare
come up with a reason to laugh at their king, but since they did it for them
Americans — why not give in to temptation. History is also one of the funny ones, it
likes to grin — did George III think that the people who unleashed the war for
independence in the 1770s, riot in the form of a musical on his native soil in
2018?!

It’s time to return to these brave ones, whose madness is sung in
“Hamilton” . The main role in the play was played by Jamael Westman.

Watching his game, I never regretted that there was no first in his place.
the performer of this role and the author of the musical Lin-Manuel. Now I will remark
which would bring thunder and lightning down upon me from the side of the American
the public. But I will take advantage of their ignorance of the Russian language and express my
opinion — Miranda is undeniably talented as an author/composer, but his acting
I don’t like the manner. He belongs to that artistic type of people who
loves bravado and overdoes it with emotions.

Hamilton performed by Jamael Westman turned out to be more solid and
noble.

The famous confrontation between two ideological antagonists, Hamilton and Thomas
Jefferson, was brightly beaten in a number reminiscent of a modern rap battle.
These two most intelligent statesmen were zealously arguing about what kind of
be newborn America. One was a supporter of industrialization,
centralization of power and the creation of a national bank, the second dreamed
to distribute power among the states and actively supported agriculture. IN
As a result, Hamilton went down in history as the founder of the American financial
system, and Jefferson as the father of the Democratic Party.

In general, the second act turned out to be less provocative, but rich in dramatic
and scandalous events. Serious passions unfold before the viewer due to
Hamilton’s affair with a young married lady, Maria Reynolds. This connection to
side hit like the pocket of the Minister of Finance (he had to pay off
blackmailed his husband Reynolds) and his reputation in the professional
sphere, where his enemies especially rejoiced at the exposed vices of their strong
opponent.

Hamilton’s life was cut short in an unfortunate but characteristic duel of that time.
Almost from the moment of his bright start in New York, he acquired a reliable
enemy in the person of Aaron Behr. The enmity between the two politicians grew every year.
more. When Boer found out that Hamilton had spoken unfavorably about him in
circle of their common colleagues, then there was only one way out – “To the barrier!”

The last lyric composition “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” is an American-style epitaph. All the characters in the musical, including even those who
opposed Hamilton during his lifetime, his merits are listed, and his wife Eliza,
who survived her husband by 50 years, makes a promise that she will tell the world about him.

Once upon a time, in one of my favorite books on US history “A History of the American People” by Paul Johnson, I saw a very accurate remark, the meaning
which boils down to the following — great historical events are determined,
above all, the abilities of the people behind them. Difficult to find in a textbook
American history, a period richer in talented individuals than the period
revolution and the subsequent formation of an independent state.

Does the musical project Hamilton have a future in the environment,
where they don’t speak English? Most likely, individual tracks will easily win,
if not already conquered, playlists even of Russian-speaking hip-hop fans
music. At the same time, I believe that the minimum percentage of the audience will be interested
historical layer, which served as the basis for writing the musical.