All That Chat - re: Hamilton-documentary vs show based on history?

HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH FLAT MODE

not logged in

re: Hamilton-documentary vs show based on history?

Posted by:	ryhog 08:50 pm EDT 10/29/15
In reply to:	re: Hamilton-documentary vs show based on history? - Chazwaza 07:58 pm EDT 10/29/15

I agree. I'll add 2 points (one of which I kinda said once before). 1. The essential history is accurate. It is not "based on." For anyone who wants to make a list of things that were changed (forgetting about the obvious ones that are inherent in the notion of the show), I would suggest asking whether the item has a place in the actual narrative of American history. Example: was Hamilton's mother a whore? Does the answer to that question have any status in the history of our country? No. To me, what we are seeing with a lot of these questions is the same sort of "can't see the forest for the trees" nitpicking that makes ATC so amusing. 2. One of Chernow's themes, brought forward in full regalia in the play, is that the narrative was hijacked by those who survived Hamilton and wielded power. In addition to being white me and (to a large extent) slaveowners, they clearly deified Jefferson and marginalized Hamilton. The gilt on the TJ image has been tarnishing for a number of years now, and with Hamilton (book and show) the significance of Hamilton is becoming better known. (And by the way, Hamilton is not without criticism: he bears some responsibility for all of these too big to fail banks we have, and their relationship with the NY Fed among other things.) So yes, history is always slanted, and what is ideal is a world made up of folks smart enough to read and absorb everything, and then figure out what to believe. (No different, as it happens, from what is ideal when we talk about students of the theatre.)

reply \|

Previous:	re: Hamilton-documentary vs show based on history? - Chazwaza 07:58 pm EDT 10/29/15
Next:	re: Hamilton-documentary vs show based on history? - ntjvy 06:40 pm EDT 10/29/15

Thread:

All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)