Back in 2017, I had the immense pleasure of seeing the National Tour of Hamilton (Angelica Cast) at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. It was a feast for the ears as well as the eyes and the theatre kid in me was left craving more. Seriously. I probably listened to the soundtrack for two years straight!
This summer, we can all be in the room where it happened. The Walt Disney Company announced earlier this week that the filmed version of the original Broadway production of Hamilton will be fast tracked and premiere on July 3, 2020 on Disney+, fifteen months ahead of its original theatrical release date. Thank you Disney! Hamilton swept the Tony Awards in 2016 with 11 wins in addition to taking home the GRAMMY Award®, Olivier Award and Pulitzer Prize.
Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, Hamilton features Tony Award® winners Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.
Hamilton recounts the rise of Alexander Hamilton from an orphaned boy in the Caribbean to his role as the “ten dollar” Founding Father of the United States Of America and his ultimate demise during the famous duel at the hand of Aaron Burr. The musical is told through spoken word, hip-hop, soul and traditional show tune styles with a multicultural cast, thus inspiring a new wave of Broadway fans and providing a solid American civics lesson.
The film is a leap forward in the art of “live capture” which transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. Combining the best elements of live theater, film, and streaming, the result is a cinematic stage performance that is a wholly new way to experience Hamilton. No less than three live performances were filmed in addition to shots staged specifically for the film. Now the best seat in the house will be the one wherein you choose to sit!
“No other artistic work in the last decade has had the cultural impact of Hamilton—an inspiring and captivating tale told and performed in a powerfully creative way. In light of the extraordinary challenges facing our world, this story about leadership, tenacity, hope, love and the power of people to unite against the forces of adversity is both relevant and impactful,” said Robert A. Iger, Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company. “We are thrilled to bring this phenomenon to Disney+ on the eve of Independence Day, and we have the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda and the team behind Hamilton to thank for allowing us to do so more than a year before planned.”
“I’m so proud of how beautifully Tommy Kail has brought Hamilton to the screen. He’s given everyone who watches this film the best seat in the house,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda. “I’m so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to July 
4th weekend of this year, in light of the world turning upside down. I’m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I’m so glad that we’re able to make it happen. I’m so proud of this show. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
The film is expected to run 2 hours, 40 minutes and is directed by Tommy Kail. The cast also includes Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana DeBose, Hope Easterbrook, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Elizabeth Judd, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Seth Stewart and Ephraim Sykes.
Have you heard the Hamilton soundtrack yet? Is there a musical number you are most interested in seeing performed live? Let me know below!
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