Hamilton: An American Musical… Well, I was hesitant at first, to say the least. Rap is not exactly my favorite genre of music. But it’s a musical about a major player in American history – so I bought the album and listened to it. For the students. A majority of whom listen to rap. And honestly, if it got a few more of them interested in theatre, I can’t really complain. I’m more worried about teaching them history and culture.
And now I’m addicted. It’s been stuck in my head non-stop for a week now.
And it’s relevant to more than a few lesson plans from the American Revolution up through Jefferson’s presidency. Not to mention it introduces a lot of people to Aaron Burr, who if we’re honest we tend to forget Aaron Burr even existed a lot of the time, besides the fact that he shot and killed Hamilton in a duel. (Case and point: #presidents: Follow the Leaders has a “profile” page for Aaron Burr where this is the only fact about him that we learn. Well, besides the fact that Aaron Burr was Thomas Jefferson’s VP.)
His relationship with John Adams as the two biggest names in the Federalist party is important for students to remember. His dealings with Thomas Jefferson and their compromises that helped build the very foundation that this country is built on is also huge. All of these – including Jefferson and Hamilton’s debates in Washington’s cabinet meetings are made more memorable with a musical that actually has a chance of bringing teens back into history with an interest. You really can’t argue with that.
Now, if only I could get tickets to actually see it…