1 00:00:00,968 --> 00:00:03,168 -Next on "Great Performances," 2 00:00:03,170 --> 00:00:05,137 how did a musical based on the life 3 00:00:05,139 --> 00:00:07,272 of an overlooked founding father 4 00:00:07,274 --> 00:00:09,074 become the hottest ticket in town? 5 00:00:09,076 --> 00:00:11,276 ♪ The ship is in the harbor now ♪ 6 00:00:11,278 --> 00:00:12,678 ♪ See if you can spot him ♪ 7 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:14,747 -Find out as composer Lin-Manuel Miranda 8 00:00:14,749 --> 00:00:16,582 takes us on his personal journey 9 00:00:16,584 --> 00:00:20,319 from original inspiration to Broadway sensation. 10 00:00:20,321 --> 00:00:24,089 -I grabbed a biography off the shelf of Alexander Hamilton, 11 00:00:24,091 --> 00:00:27,092 and I found it deeply moving 12 00:00:27,094 --> 00:00:28,494 and deeply personal when I read it. 13 00:00:28,496 --> 00:00:30,763 -♪ I'm the damn fool that shot him ♪ 14 00:00:30,765 --> 00:00:32,564 -Something that really sort of spoke to me 15 00:00:32,566 --> 00:00:34,433 when I was, you know, reading this story 16 00:00:34,435 --> 00:00:35,968 and beginning to research and write it 17 00:00:35,970 --> 00:00:39,071 is that moment when you trade away capital 18 00:00:39,073 --> 00:00:40,572 in exchange for the debt plan. 19 00:00:40,574 --> 00:00:42,107 We call it "The Room Where It Happens." 20 00:00:42,109 --> 00:00:44,543 -♪ I've got to be ♪ -♪ The room where it happens ♪ 21 00:00:44,545 --> 00:00:47,446 -♪ I've got to be ♪ -♪ The room where it happens ♪ 22 00:00:47,448 --> 00:00:50,382 -♪ Oh, I've got to be in ♪ -♪ The room where it happens ♪ 23 00:00:50,384 --> 00:00:51,884 ♪ I got to be, I got to be ♪ 24 00:00:51,886 --> 00:00:54,119 -Be in the room where it happens 25 00:00:54,121 --> 00:00:55,754 when history steps off the page 26 00:00:55,756 --> 00:00:59,158 and onto the stage in "Hamilton's America," 27 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:00,092 next. 28 00:01:02,863 --> 00:01:04,797 [ Indistinct conversations ] 29 00:01:04,865 --> 00:01:14,273 [ Orchestra tuning ] 30 00:01:14,275 --> 00:01:16,308 [ Up-tempo music plays ] 31 00:01:20,448 --> 00:01:21,547 -We're on Broadway. 32 00:01:21,549 --> 00:01:23,415 We're at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. 33 00:01:23,417 --> 00:01:24,716 But at the same time, 34 00:01:24,718 --> 00:01:27,686 it feels exactly the same as when I was 35 00:01:27,688 --> 00:01:29,455 in "Pirates of Penzance" in ninth grade. 36 00:01:29,457 --> 00:01:32,724 It's such a kick to get to play dress-up 37 00:01:32,726 --> 00:01:36,695 and sing songs for an audience. 38 00:01:36,697 --> 00:01:38,297 I know there are certain actors who are like, 39 00:01:38,299 --> 00:01:40,866 "Once I get the wig, once I get the shoes, 40 00:01:40,868 --> 00:01:42,768 I know who the character is." 41 00:01:42,770 --> 00:01:45,337 I don't know that I'm like that. I do know 42 00:01:45,339 --> 00:01:47,739 that my posture certainly changes 43 00:01:47,741 --> 00:01:49,174 when I'm in the clothes, 44 00:01:49,176 --> 00:01:50,709 but it really doesn't start for me 45 00:01:50,711 --> 00:01:52,778 until I see everybody else in their costume. 46 00:01:52,780 --> 00:01:54,613 And you get that moment of community 47 00:01:54,615 --> 00:01:55,948 where we're all agreeing 48 00:01:55,950 --> 00:01:59,318 to just create this world for people. 49 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:01,753 There's the part of my brain that works really hard 50 00:02:01,755 --> 00:02:03,622 on making "Hamilton" historically accurate 51 00:02:03,624 --> 00:02:05,524 and exciting and high-stakes. 52 00:02:05,526 --> 00:02:07,926 And then there's the charge and the adrenaline 53 00:02:07,928 --> 00:02:09,928 that comes from performing something 54 00:02:09,930 --> 00:02:11,663 and hearing a response. 55 00:02:11,665 --> 00:02:13,165 -Places, please. 56 00:02:13,167 --> 00:02:15,467 All cast to places. 57 00:02:15,469 --> 00:02:18,871 -Uh. Oops. I'm still married. 58 00:02:18,873 --> 00:02:20,839 Thank you. 59 00:02:23,277 --> 00:02:25,844 -Mr. President. -Oh, hey, man. 60 00:02:27,114 --> 00:02:29,615 -♪ In New York, you can be a new man ♪ 61 00:02:29,617 --> 00:02:30,916 -♪ Just you wait ♪ 62 00:02:30,918 --> 00:02:33,252 -♪ In New York, you can be a new man ♪ 63 00:02:33,254 --> 00:02:34,486 -♪ Just you wait ♪ 64 00:02:34,488 --> 00:02:37,556 -♪ In New York, you can be a new man ♪ 65 00:02:37,558 --> 00:02:39,758 -♪ In New York ♪ -♪ New York ♪ 66 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:41,393 -♪ Just you wait ♪ 67 00:02:41,395 --> 00:02:44,696 -♪ Alexander Hamilton ♪ -♪ Alexander Hamilton ♪ 68 00:02:44,698 --> 00:02:46,532 -♪ We are waiting in the wings for you ♪ 69 00:02:46,534 --> 00:02:48,367 -♪ Waiting in the wings for you ♪ 70 00:02:48,369 --> 00:02:49,668 -♪ You could never back down ♪ 71 00:02:49,670 --> 00:02:54,673 -♪ You never learned to take your time ♪ 72 00:02:54,675 --> 00:02:58,877 ♪ Oh, Alexander Hamilton ♪ -♪ Alexander Hamilton ♪ 73 00:02:58,879 --> 00:03:01,513 -♪ When America sings for you ♪ 74 00:03:01,515 --> 00:03:05,551 -♪ Will they know what you overcame? ♪ 75 00:03:05,553 --> 00:03:06,885 ♪ Will they know you rewrote the game? ♪ 76 00:03:10,457 --> 00:03:15,360 ♪ The world will never be the same ♪ 77 00:03:15,362 --> 00:03:16,562 -♪ Oh-oh oh ♪ 78 00:03:16,564 --> 00:03:18,430 -♪ The ship is in the harbor now ♪ 79 00:03:18,432 --> 00:03:20,432 ♪ See if you can spot him ♪ -♪ Just you wait ♪ 80 00:03:20,434 --> 00:03:22,634 -♪ Another immigrant coming up from the bottom ♪ 81 00:03:22,636 --> 00:03:23,869 -♪ Just you wait ♪ 82 00:03:23,871 --> 00:03:25,304 -♪ His enemies destroyed his rep ♪ 83 00:03:25,306 --> 00:03:27,306 ♪ America forgot him ♪ 84 00:03:27,308 --> 00:03:29,074 -♪ We fought with him ♪ 85 00:03:29,076 --> 00:03:30,809 -♪ Me? I died for him ♪ 86 00:03:30,811 --> 00:03:32,444 -♪ Me? I trusted him ♪ 87 00:03:32,446 --> 00:03:34,046 -♪ Me? I loved him ♪ 88 00:03:34,048 --> 00:03:35,681 -♪ And me? ♪ 89 00:03:35,683 --> 00:03:37,883 ♪ I'm the damn fool that shot him ♪ 90 00:03:37,885 --> 00:03:39,151 -[ Echoing ] ♪ Shot him ♪ 91 00:03:39,153 --> 00:03:41,453 -♪ There's a million things I haven't done ♪ 92 00:03:41,455 --> 00:03:44,890 ♪ But just you wait ♪ 93 00:03:44,892 --> 00:03:46,758 -♪ What's your name, man? ♪ 94 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:49,127 -♪ Alexander Hamilton ♪ 95 00:03:49,129 --> 00:03:51,663 [ Final chord plays ] 96 00:03:55,703 --> 00:03:59,938 [ Door unlocking ] 97 00:04:11,885 --> 00:04:15,487 -Ta-da! [ Laughs ] 98 00:04:15,489 --> 00:04:18,690 Everything in my life is under construction. 99 00:04:18,692 --> 00:04:21,793 My wife, Vanessa, and I bought this place last year. 100 00:04:21,795 --> 00:04:25,130 We've been working on it almost a year. 101 00:04:25,132 --> 00:04:27,633 There's a piano under here, believe it or not. 102 00:04:27,635 --> 00:04:29,101 [ Piano plays off-key ] 103 00:04:29,103 --> 00:04:31,303 I'm in this crazy holding pattern right now. 104 00:04:31,305 --> 00:04:34,239 I'm just waiting for the next chapter of my life to start. 105 00:04:34,241 --> 00:04:35,874 There's a kid coming in November. 106 00:04:35,876 --> 00:04:38,010 Two weeks after the kid is born, 107 00:04:38,012 --> 00:04:40,279 we start rehearsals for "Hamilton." 108 00:04:40,281 --> 00:04:43,048 And then that becomes whatever it becomes. 109 00:04:43,050 --> 00:04:46,418 And, um -- And I'm just sort of -- 110 00:04:46,420 --> 00:04:48,186 This is like the -- 111 00:04:48,188 --> 00:04:49,321 This is the part of the roller coaster 112 00:04:49,323 --> 00:04:50,722 where we're just going up. 113 00:04:50,724 --> 00:04:54,493 [ Piano plays off-key ] 114 00:04:54,495 --> 00:04:57,929 That's one note I'm playing, and it's a full chord. 115 00:04:57,931 --> 00:04:59,131 [ Piano plays off-key ] 116 00:04:59,133 --> 00:05:00,732 So there will be some tuning. 117 00:05:00,734 --> 00:05:03,101 [ Piano plays off-key ] 118 00:05:03,103 --> 00:05:05,137 We're in the heart of Washington Heights. 119 00:05:05,139 --> 00:05:07,906 It literally looks like the set of "In the Heights" 120 00:05:07,908 --> 00:05:09,741 when you look out the window. 121 00:05:09,743 --> 00:05:11,310 I can't get away from my shows. 122 00:05:11,312 --> 00:05:15,147 [ Orchestra plays up-tempo Latin music ] 123 00:05:15,149 --> 00:05:17,916 My first Broadway show was "In the Heights." 124 00:05:17,918 --> 00:05:21,086 It's about three days in the life of a block 125 00:05:21,088 --> 00:05:25,457 in Washington Heights, New York, where I grew up. 126 00:05:25,459 --> 00:05:26,692 Won some awards, 127 00:05:26,694 --> 00:05:29,094 and it was pretty much a dream come true. 128 00:05:29,096 --> 00:05:30,462 [ Music ends ] 129 00:05:30,464 --> 00:05:31,897 [ Cheers and applause ] 130 00:05:31,899 --> 00:05:34,499 The idea for "Hamilton" came to me totally by surprise 131 00:05:34,501 --> 00:05:36,768 while I was on vacation at "In the Heights." 132 00:05:36,770 --> 00:05:38,904 -I grabbed a biography off the shelf 133 00:05:38,906 --> 00:05:40,405 of Alexander Hamilton 134 00:05:40,407 --> 00:05:43,408 'cause I wanted a big, fat book to read on vacation, 135 00:05:43,410 --> 00:05:47,646 and I found it deeply moving and deeply personal 136 00:05:47,648 --> 00:05:48,780 when I read it. 137 00:05:48,782 --> 00:05:50,682 It was just such a compelling ride. 138 00:05:50,684 --> 00:05:52,451 -Lin invited me to "In the Heights." 139 00:05:52,453 --> 00:05:53,885 And I went backstage, and he said, 140 00:05:53,887 --> 00:05:55,721 "Ron, I was reading the book, 141 00:05:55,723 --> 00:05:58,990 and hip-hop songs started rising off the page." 142 00:05:58,992 --> 00:06:00,826 And I said to him, "Really?" 143 00:06:00,828 --> 00:06:03,128 -I said, "This is Tupac. 144 00:06:03,130 --> 00:06:06,064 This is Biggie. This is a hip-hop story. 145 00:06:06,066 --> 00:06:08,133 This is my next show." 146 00:06:09,503 --> 00:06:11,336 So, who was Alexander Hamilton, 147 00:06:11,338 --> 00:06:13,505 besides being the dude on the $10, 148 00:06:13,507 --> 00:06:15,640 the best-looking founding father? 149 00:06:15,642 --> 00:06:18,176 He was George Washington's chief of staff 150 00:06:18,178 --> 00:06:19,845 during the Revolutionary War, 151 00:06:19,847 --> 00:06:22,414 and he was our first treasury secretary. 152 00:06:22,416 --> 00:06:24,416 But before that, he was an immigrant. 153 00:06:24,418 --> 00:06:26,651 He was born in the Caribbean. 154 00:06:26,653 --> 00:06:28,553 But he came to our country 155 00:06:28,555 --> 00:06:32,124 and, by sheer force of will and intellect, 156 00:06:32,126 --> 00:06:33,925 changed our country forever. 157 00:06:33,927 --> 00:06:36,027 -I don't even really know 158 00:06:36,029 --> 00:06:37,829 if I knew who Alexander Hamilton was. 159 00:06:37,831 --> 00:06:41,400 I knew was on a -- he was on our currency. 160 00:06:41,402 --> 00:06:42,901 -Alexander Hamilton is one 161 00:06:42,903 --> 00:06:46,438 of the unsung heroes of our country. 162 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:48,673 -Yeah, well, that's the way history works. 163 00:06:48,675 --> 00:06:53,779 Sometimes it takes a while for people to give you credit. 164 00:06:53,781 --> 00:06:56,548 -Hamilton saw the opportunity 165 00:06:56,550 --> 00:06:59,918 when an -- an immigrant could come to this country, 166 00:06:59,920 --> 00:07:02,287 get a little education, have some great ideas, 167 00:07:02,289 --> 00:07:04,923 work hard, and build something. 168 00:07:04,925 --> 00:07:07,325 Pretty amazing guy. 169 00:07:09,430 --> 00:07:11,997 -Hamilton was born on the island of Nevis. 170 00:07:11,999 --> 00:07:15,700 Nevis is a very beautiful and colorful volcanic island 171 00:07:15,702 --> 00:07:17,135 in the Caribbean. 172 00:07:17,137 --> 00:07:20,138 But the day-to-day reality was very brutal and violent, 173 00:07:20,140 --> 00:07:22,941 like most of the Caribbean islands at that time. 174 00:07:22,943 --> 00:07:26,011 It was dominated by sugar and cotton plantations. 175 00:07:26,013 --> 00:07:27,479 -Most people in America 176 00:07:27,481 --> 00:07:31,349 think of the slave trade as Africa to North America, 177 00:07:31,351 --> 00:07:33,118 but most of them went to the Caribbean. 178 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:35,220 And so Hamilton was right in the middle 179 00:07:35,222 --> 00:07:37,255 of this huge, huge market. 180 00:07:37,257 --> 00:07:40,358 Even people who were not terribly well-to-do 181 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:42,327 could have one or two slaves in Nevis. 182 00:07:42,329 --> 00:07:45,197 And his family did. -Hamilton's mother, Rachel, 183 00:07:45,199 --> 00:07:46,798 had just fled an unhappy marriage 184 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:48,433 when she met his father, James Hamilton. 185 00:07:48,435 --> 00:07:50,135 But under the terms of her divorce, 186 00:07:50,137 --> 00:07:51,670 she wasn't able to remarry, 187 00:07:51,672 --> 00:07:53,839 which meant that Hamilton and his brother had to grow up 188 00:07:53,841 --> 00:07:56,208 with the stigma of illegitimacy, 189 00:07:56,210 --> 00:07:58,009 which was very real in those days. 190 00:07:58,011 --> 00:08:00,412 And so Hamilton goes through some really rough... 191 00:08:00,414 --> 00:08:04,049 between birth and getting out of the island. 192 00:08:04,051 --> 00:08:05,684 -When Hamilton was 11, 193 00:08:05,686 --> 00:08:07,719 James Hamilton abandoned Rachel 194 00:08:07,721 --> 00:08:10,522 and the two sons on the island of Saint Croix. 195 00:08:10,524 --> 00:08:14,125 Not long afterwards, Rachel contracted a lethal fever, 196 00:08:14,127 --> 00:08:17,229 which she then communicated to Alexander. 197 00:08:17,231 --> 00:08:19,030 -♪ In the eye of a hurricane ♪ 198 00:08:19,032 --> 00:08:24,503 ♪ There is quiet for just a moment ♪ 199 00:08:24,505 --> 00:08:27,439 ♪ A yellow sky ♪ 200 00:08:27,441 --> 00:08:30,842 ♪ I was 12 when my mother died ♪ 201 00:08:30,844 --> 00:08:33,111 ♪ She was holding me ♪ 202 00:08:33,113 --> 00:08:36,114 ♪ We were sick, and she was holding me ♪ 203 00:08:36,116 --> 00:08:38,950 ♪ I couldn't seem to die ♪ 204 00:08:38,952 --> 00:08:41,019 -Hamilton suddenly found himself, 205 00:08:41,021 --> 00:08:42,754 at the age of 13, 206 00:08:42,756 --> 00:08:45,323 an illegitimate orphan in poverty, 207 00:08:45,325 --> 00:08:47,926 and so he immediately had to go to work. 208 00:08:47,928 --> 00:08:51,162 -He worked for a trading charter as a kid, 209 00:08:51,164 --> 00:08:54,065 so he's getting firsthand economic education 210 00:08:54,067 --> 00:08:55,567 because the people who actually own it 211 00:08:55,569 --> 00:08:57,502 are off on ships, trading. 212 00:08:57,504 --> 00:09:00,205 And he's in charge of the books back home. 213 00:09:00,207 --> 00:09:04,809 -♪ When I was 17, a hurricane destroyed my town ♪ 214 00:09:04,811 --> 00:09:08,346 ♪ I didn't drown ♪ 215 00:09:08,348 --> 00:09:10,882 ♪ I couldn't seem to die ♪ 216 00:09:10,884 --> 00:09:13,818 -A hurricane destroys Saint Croix. 217 00:09:13,820 --> 00:09:16,187 He writes a letter about the destruction he saw, 218 00:09:16,189 --> 00:09:20,859 and it's so beautifully written that a newspaper publishes it. 219 00:09:20,861 --> 00:09:23,228 -It was impressive enough and eloquent enough 220 00:09:23,230 --> 00:09:25,297 that people got together a charitable fund 221 00:09:25,299 --> 00:09:27,799 to send him to North America, to the North American colonies, 222 00:09:27,801 --> 00:09:30,001 so he could get a real education. 223 00:09:30,003 --> 00:09:31,369 -And that's how he gets off the island. 224 00:09:31,371 --> 00:09:33,905 He literally writes his way out of his circumstances. 225 00:09:33,907 --> 00:09:36,775 And it's so much the quintessential immigrant story 226 00:09:36,777 --> 00:09:38,109 of redefining yourself 227 00:09:38,111 --> 00:09:39,344 when you come to a new place. 228 00:09:39,346 --> 00:09:42,147 And the sense I got, really early 229 00:09:42,149 --> 00:09:44,082 in Ron Chernow's Hamilton biography, 230 00:09:44,084 --> 00:09:47,986 was this sense of, "I know this guy." 231 00:09:47,988 --> 00:09:50,121 The fact that Hamilton left the Caribbean 232 00:09:50,123 --> 00:09:52,090 to come to New York to get his education -- 233 00:09:52,092 --> 00:09:54,926 I always tell people, "I'm just playing my dad in the show..." 234 00:09:54,928 --> 00:09:58,129 -[ Laughs ] -...down to the hair. 235 00:09:58,131 --> 00:10:01,199 Tell me about coming to New York for the first time. 236 00:10:01,201 --> 00:10:02,534 What brought you here? 237 00:10:02,536 --> 00:10:07,906 -I got a great opportunity to come and study at NYU. 238 00:10:07,908 --> 00:10:10,475 I left Puerto Rico when I was 18. 239 00:10:10,477 --> 00:10:14,779 I always thought, "Puerto Rico is just too small. 240 00:10:14,781 --> 00:10:17,315 I-I got to see more." 241 00:10:17,317 --> 00:10:21,953 I graduated. Then I was involved in advocacy, 242 00:10:21,955 --> 00:10:25,190 but I realized that I wanted to do something different, 243 00:10:25,192 --> 00:10:28,193 so I joined the Ed Koch administration, 244 00:10:28,195 --> 00:10:30,528 mayor of New York City, in '87. 245 00:10:30,530 --> 00:10:33,298 You know, in my experience, 246 00:10:33,300 --> 00:10:35,867 immigrants are never the lazy ones. 247 00:10:35,869 --> 00:10:38,036 They're not the stupid ones. 248 00:10:38,038 --> 00:10:40,505 They're the smart, hard workers 249 00:10:40,507 --> 00:10:43,308 'cause they have to work so much harder 250 00:10:43,310 --> 00:10:45,844 to make sense of their reality 251 00:10:45,846 --> 00:10:48,580 and succeed in that reality. 252 00:10:48,582 --> 00:10:53,084 I always saw my time here as a temporary thing. 253 00:10:53,086 --> 00:10:54,753 But then I realized 254 00:10:54,755 --> 00:10:59,824 that this is where I was gonna raise my children. 255 00:10:59,826 --> 00:11:01,493 Then we stay here forever. 256 00:11:01,495 --> 00:11:03,194 -"Bye, Puerto Rico." And that was it. 257 00:11:03,196 --> 00:11:06,598 And then you were a New Yorker. 258 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:08,900 -Alexander Hamilton is in New York 259 00:11:08,902 --> 00:11:11,136 just at the time as the tremendous ferment 260 00:11:11,138 --> 00:11:14,673 of the American Revolution is starting. 261 00:11:14,675 --> 00:11:17,542 On the Common, what is today City Hall Park, 262 00:11:17,544 --> 00:11:20,812 Alexander Hamilton is delivering fiery speeches. 263 00:11:20,814 --> 00:11:23,948 He also had established his bona fides 264 00:11:23,950 --> 00:11:28,053 as one of the most feared polemical writers in New York. 265 00:11:28,055 --> 00:11:31,189 -I really keyed into how much of a New York story it was. 266 00:11:31,191 --> 00:11:33,358 These blocks that I've passed all my life 267 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:35,894 have all along been these incredible sources 268 00:11:35,896 --> 00:11:37,395 of rich American history. 269 00:11:37,397 --> 00:11:38,963 I don't think a lot of people know that. 270 00:11:38,965 --> 00:11:41,166 When we think of the founding fathers, 271 00:11:41,168 --> 00:11:43,268 we think of them in some room in Philadelphia, 272 00:11:43,270 --> 00:11:44,402 you know, hashing it out. 273 00:11:44,404 --> 00:11:45,670 It's like a John Trumbull painting. 274 00:11:45,672 --> 00:11:48,306 But they were here. They were uptown, 275 00:11:48,308 --> 00:11:49,908 like the Grange in Hamilton Heights 276 00:11:49,910 --> 00:11:51,409 on 141st Street, 277 00:11:51,411 --> 00:11:53,311 which is where Hamilton and his wife 278 00:11:53,313 --> 00:11:56,181 lived for the last few years of his life. 279 00:11:56,183 --> 00:11:59,451 -This was Hamilton's study, and -- 280 00:11:59,453 --> 00:12:02,721 -It's the right color. -Right. [ Laughs ] Money green. 281 00:12:02,723 --> 00:12:04,923 This is a reproduction of Hamilton's laptop, 282 00:12:04,925 --> 00:12:06,291 or his traveling desk. 283 00:12:06,293 --> 00:12:08,460 He would write everywhere and anywhere. 284 00:12:08,462 --> 00:12:10,795 He wrote under trees. He wrote on -- 285 00:12:10,797 --> 00:12:12,831 on horseback. He wrote in carriages. 286 00:12:12,833 --> 00:12:14,466 -I mean, the tonnage of his writing, it's -- 287 00:12:14,468 --> 00:12:16,768 -Exactly. The sheer amount that he had, 288 00:12:16,770 --> 00:12:19,037 he must have had something with him all the time 289 00:12:19,039 --> 00:12:20,472 to be writing on 290 00:12:20,474 --> 00:12:22,240 because he never would have produced the amount that he did. 291 00:12:22,242 --> 00:12:23,608 -Yeah. 292 00:12:23,610 --> 00:12:24,843 Oh, my goodness. 293 00:12:24,845 --> 00:12:26,478 All right. Can I touch the desk? 294 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:27,545 -No. -No. 295 00:12:27,547 --> 00:12:30,849 Okay. I won't. That's cool. 296 00:12:30,851 --> 00:12:32,851 This just makes me feel like I have to go home and write. 297 00:12:32,853 --> 00:12:34,586 [ Both laugh ] 298 00:12:34,588 --> 00:12:36,755 ♪♪ 299 00:12:36,757 --> 00:12:38,356 I started writing that first song 300 00:12:38,358 --> 00:12:39,758 that's just about his childhood. 301 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:41,793 I wanted to sort of encapsulate that 302 00:12:41,795 --> 00:12:43,695 in two hip-hop verses. 303 00:12:43,697 --> 00:12:44,996 -The strongest candidate 304 00:12:44,998 --> 00:12:48,233 is the candidate who wins the most elections. 305 00:12:48,235 --> 00:12:50,902 Barack Obama has won 29 contests. 306 00:12:50,904 --> 00:12:53,304 Hillary Clinton has won 13 contests. 307 00:12:53,306 --> 00:12:55,740 -And I worked on it for about a year at "In the Heights," 308 00:12:55,742 --> 00:12:57,408 while I'm still doing eight shows a week. 309 00:12:57,410 --> 00:12:58,743 -Lin didn't say, "I was writing a show." 310 00:12:58,745 --> 00:12:59,944 Lin said, "I'm writing a song." 311 00:12:59,946 --> 00:13:02,881 So, he said, "I read this book, 312 00:13:02,883 --> 00:13:04,282 and I think there's something there. 313 00:13:04,284 --> 00:13:05,850 I think I might do a series of songs." 314 00:13:05,852 --> 00:13:07,986 And I said, "Great. Go. Write." 315 00:13:07,988 --> 00:13:10,288 [ Applause ] -I'd only written this one song 316 00:13:10,290 --> 00:13:11,656 when the White House called and said, 317 00:13:11,658 --> 00:13:13,992 "We're doing an evening of spoken word, 318 00:13:13,994 --> 00:13:15,894 but if you have anything on the American experience, 319 00:13:15,896 --> 00:13:18,329 that would be great." 320 00:13:18,331 --> 00:13:20,832 I said, "I got a hot 16 about Hamilton." 321 00:13:20,834 --> 00:13:22,400 [ Piano plays up-tempo music ] 322 00:13:22,402 --> 00:13:27,038 ♪ How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman ♪ 323 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:29,841 ♪ Dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot ♪ 324 00:13:29,843 --> 00:13:31,910 ♪ In the Caribbean by providence ♪ 325 00:13:31,912 --> 00:13:33,244 ♪ Impoverished, in squalor ♪ 326 00:13:33,246 --> 00:13:35,847 ♪ Grow up to be a hero and a scholar? ♪ 327 00:13:35,849 --> 00:13:37,115 -The first day Lin 328 00:13:37,117 --> 00:13:38,950 brought the opening number of the show to me, 329 00:13:38,952 --> 00:13:40,718 I'm like, "It's about history, but it's rap? 330 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:42,787 Uh, okay. Is it serious? 331 00:13:42,789 --> 00:13:44,022 Sure. Whatever." 332 00:13:44,024 --> 00:13:45,790 I remember, it wasn't till I actually heard it 333 00:13:45,792 --> 00:13:47,358 all the way through, I'm like, "Wow, this is real." 334 00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:48,993 -♪ There would've been nothin' left to do ♪ 335 00:13:48,995 --> 00:13:50,261 ♪ For someone less astute ♪ 336 00:13:50,263 --> 00:13:51,830 ♪ He would've been dead or destitute ♪ 337 00:13:51,832 --> 00:13:53,631 ♪ Without a cent of restitution ♪ 338 00:13:53,633 --> 00:13:57,135 ♪ Started workin', clerkin' for his late mother's landlord ♪ 339 00:13:57,137 --> 00:13:58,670 ♪ Tradin' sugar cane and rum ♪ 340 00:13:58,672 --> 00:14:00,205 ♪ and other things he can't afford ♪ 341 00:14:00,207 --> 00:14:01,406 ♪ Scammin' for... ♪ 342 00:14:01,408 --> 00:14:03,341 When they posted videos of the evening, 343 00:14:03,343 --> 00:14:05,076 my performance went viral, 344 00:14:05,078 --> 00:14:06,811 and we were sort of off to the races after that. 345 00:14:06,813 --> 00:14:09,514 We realized, "There's a show here." 346 00:14:09,516 --> 00:14:11,850 ♪ I'm the damn genius that shot him ♪ 347 00:14:11,852 --> 00:14:13,184 [ Final chord plays ] 348 00:14:13,186 --> 00:14:16,487 [ Cheers and applause ] 349 00:14:16,489 --> 00:14:18,289 So, I started writing songs 350 00:14:18,291 --> 00:14:20,959 at the amazing pace of a song a year. 351 00:14:20,961 --> 00:14:23,628 After two years of working, I had two songs to show for it. 352 00:14:23,630 --> 00:14:26,030 -"So, you've written two songs in two and a half years. 353 00:14:26,032 --> 00:14:27,565 We're gonna be very old by the time 354 00:14:27,567 --> 00:14:29,801 this is actually gonna be complete, 355 00:14:29,803 --> 00:14:32,103 so why don't we expedite it a little bit?" 356 00:14:32,105 --> 00:14:34,472 -And so, you know, I'm writing as fast as I can. 357 00:14:34,474 --> 00:14:35,940 But that's how it gets done. 358 00:14:35,942 --> 00:14:38,776 You know, you set these deadlines, and you meet them. 359 00:14:38,778 --> 00:14:41,613 -I have more than once compared Lin to Shakespeare, 360 00:14:41,615 --> 00:14:44,782 and I do it without blushing or apologizing. 361 00:14:44,784 --> 00:14:47,518 Lin, in "Hamilton," is doing exactly 362 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:49,621 what Shakespeare did in his history plays. 363 00:14:49,623 --> 00:14:52,857 He's taking the voice of the common people, 364 00:14:52,859 --> 00:14:54,659 elevating it to poetry -- 365 00:14:54,661 --> 00:14:56,628 in Shakespeare's case, iambic pentameter, 366 00:14:56,630 --> 00:15:00,698 in Lin's case, rap, rhyme, hip-hop, R&B -- 367 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:05,503 and by elevating it to poetry, ennobling the people themselves. 368 00:15:05,505 --> 00:15:09,407 He is bringing out what is noble about the common tongue. 369 00:15:09,409 --> 00:15:12,210 And that is something that nobody has done 370 00:15:12,212 --> 00:15:14,379 as effectively as Lin since Shakespeare. 371 00:15:14,381 --> 00:15:16,147 Yeah, I said it. 372 00:15:16,149 --> 00:15:18,182 -♪ ...handle our financial situation ♪ 373 00:15:18,184 --> 00:15:19,450 ♪ Are we a nation of states? ♪ 374 00:15:19,452 --> 00:15:20,785 ♪ What's the state of our nation? ♪ 375 00:15:20,787 --> 00:15:22,120 ♪ I'm past patiently waitin' ♪ 376 00:15:22,122 --> 00:15:24,155 ♪ I'm passionately smashin' every expectation ♪ 377 00:15:24,157 --> 00:15:25,990 ♪ Every action's an act of creation ♪ 378 00:15:25,992 --> 00:15:27,926 ♪ I'm laughin' in the face of casualties and sorrow ♪ 379 00:15:27,928 --> 00:15:30,128 ♪ For the first time, I'm thinkin' past tomorrow ♪ 380 00:15:30,130 --> 00:15:32,497 ♪ And I am not throwin' away my shot ♪ 381 00:15:32,499 --> 00:15:35,266 ♪ I am not throwin' away my shot ♪ 382 00:15:35,268 --> 00:15:36,367 ♪ Hey, yo, I'm just like... ♪ 383 00:15:36,369 --> 00:15:38,236 I write everywhere. I write on trains. 384 00:15:38,238 --> 00:15:40,838 I write -- I write wherever I can. 385 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:42,740 And sometimes, a couple of days, 386 00:15:42,742 --> 00:15:45,410 I've written in Aaron Burr's bedroom. 387 00:15:45,412 --> 00:15:47,779 It's pretty amazing to be in the space 388 00:15:47,781 --> 00:15:49,948 where he was in the later part of his life. 389 00:15:49,950 --> 00:15:53,051 Talk about artist in residence -- literally. 390 00:15:53,053 --> 00:15:55,687 This is my "Hamilton" writing desk. 391 00:15:55,689 --> 00:15:57,255 I sit here. I sit on the floor. 392 00:15:57,257 --> 00:15:59,490 I don't sit on the Colonial furniture. 393 00:15:59,492 --> 00:16:01,492 ♪ You keep shootin' off at the mouth ♪ 394 00:16:01,494 --> 00:16:02,994 [ Chuckles ] 395 00:16:02,996 --> 00:16:05,129 There's a song in the show called "My Shot," 396 00:16:05,131 --> 00:16:07,465 and it's Hamilton's big sort of "I want" song. 397 00:16:07,467 --> 00:16:09,300 It's the second song in the show. 398 00:16:09,302 --> 00:16:11,569 We see him make his group of friends -- 399 00:16:11,571 --> 00:16:14,372 the Marquis de Lafayette, John Laurens, 400 00:16:14,374 --> 00:16:17,241 Hercules Mulligan, and Aaron Burr, 401 00:16:17,243 --> 00:16:18,643 who is a colleague and a friend. 402 00:16:18,645 --> 00:16:20,611 And I'm sort of putting him into the song -- 403 00:16:20,613 --> 00:16:22,580 'cause these are guys who are oil and water, 404 00:16:22,582 --> 00:16:23,848 but they come up together. 405 00:16:23,850 --> 00:16:25,350 They're revolutionaries together. 406 00:16:25,352 --> 00:16:27,418 They're soldiers together. They're lawyers together. 407 00:16:27,420 --> 00:16:29,387 They're elected officials together. 408 00:16:29,389 --> 00:16:32,757 And at some point, one shoots the other. 409 00:16:32,759 --> 00:16:36,361 -Yeah, I-I come out in the first three minutes of the show, 410 00:16:36,363 --> 00:16:39,230 and I say, "I'm the damn fool that shot him." 411 00:16:39,232 --> 00:16:44,535 And so what that tells me as an actor is that, 412 00:16:44,537 --> 00:16:47,271 that is not a secret that we're keeping. 413 00:16:47,273 --> 00:16:48,639 That's not a piece of the puzzle 414 00:16:48,641 --> 00:16:52,210 that we are hiding behind our back. 415 00:16:52,212 --> 00:16:54,445 So, then what it's about is about -- 416 00:16:54,447 --> 00:16:56,114 it's about the fracture. 417 00:16:56,116 --> 00:17:01,152 It's about watching where exactly the moment is 418 00:17:01,154 --> 00:17:04,288 that it all changes. 419 00:17:04,290 --> 00:17:05,590 -Whereas Alexander Hamilton 420 00:17:05,592 --> 00:17:07,925 was an illegitimate orphan kid from the Caribbean 421 00:17:07,927 --> 00:17:09,560 who was born into shame and misery, 422 00:17:09,562 --> 00:17:12,764 Aaron Burr was really born into American aristocracy. 423 00:17:12,766 --> 00:17:16,300 It looks like he's going to have this very luxurious life. 424 00:17:16,302 --> 00:17:18,669 By the time Aaron Burr is 2 years old, 425 00:17:18,671 --> 00:17:21,205 his mother's died, his father's died. 426 00:17:21,207 --> 00:17:23,941 He's farmed out to relatives who bring him up. 427 00:17:23,943 --> 00:17:25,510 He then goes to Princeton college, 428 00:17:25,512 --> 00:17:27,745 graduates by the time he was 16, 429 00:17:27,747 --> 00:17:32,483 so that Burr was as much of a prodigy as Hamilton was. 430 00:17:32,485 --> 00:17:35,620 And so it's the first of many strange parallels 431 00:17:35,622 --> 00:17:37,588 in the lives of Alexander Hamilton 432 00:17:37,590 --> 00:17:39,957 and Aaron Burr. 433 00:17:39,959 --> 00:17:41,526 -A lot of the revising process 434 00:17:41,528 --> 00:17:43,394 is continuing to check in on that relationship. 435 00:17:43,396 --> 00:17:45,663 It is the most important relationship in the show. 436 00:17:45,665 --> 00:17:47,265 So, right now, I'm working on lyrics, 437 00:17:47,267 --> 00:17:49,767 working Burr into the second song in the show. 438 00:17:49,769 --> 00:17:51,169 [ Singing indistinctly ] 439 00:17:51,171 --> 00:17:54,505 There's a section where they're doing shots 440 00:17:54,507 --> 00:17:56,140 and saying what they would do with their shot. 441 00:17:56,142 --> 00:17:58,076 So, Lafayette, whose command of English 442 00:17:58,078 --> 00:17:59,811 is not so great, goes... 443 00:17:59,813 --> 00:18:03,347 ♪ With my shot, I dream of life without monarchy ♪ 444 00:18:03,349 --> 00:18:07,485 ♪ The something stress in France ♪ 445 00:18:07,487 --> 00:18:08,719 ♪ will lead to "onarchy" ♪ 446 00:18:08,721 --> 00:18:11,289 -"Onarchy?" How you say? Oh, "anarchy." 447 00:18:11,291 --> 00:18:13,658 ♪ When I fight, I make the other side panicky with my ♪ 448 00:18:13,660 --> 00:18:15,093 ♪ Shot ♪ -♪ Shot ♪ 449 00:18:15,095 --> 00:18:17,161 -And then Hercules Mulligan, who was a tailor's apprentice, 450 00:18:17,163 --> 00:18:19,297 says... ♪ My shot ♪ 451 00:18:19,299 --> 00:18:20,965 ♪ Yo, I'm a tailor's apprentice ♪ 452 00:18:20,967 --> 00:18:22,100 ♪ And I got y'all knuckleheads ♪ 453 00:18:22,102 --> 00:18:23,601 ♪ In loco parentis ♪ 454 00:18:23,603 --> 00:18:25,036 -♪ I'm joining the rebellion ♪ 455 00:18:25,038 --> 00:18:27,138 ♪ 'Cause I know it's my chance to socially advance ♪ 456 00:18:27,140 --> 00:18:28,573 ♪ Instead of sewin' some pants ♪ 457 00:18:28,575 --> 00:18:29,574 ♪ I'm gonna take a ♪ 458 00:18:29,576 --> 00:18:30,908 ♪ Shot ♪ -♪ Shot ♪ 459 00:18:30,910 --> 00:18:33,845 -And then Laurens, who is a fierce abolitionist, goes... 460 00:18:33,847 --> 00:18:35,480 ♪ But we'll never be truly free ♪ 461 00:18:35,482 --> 00:18:36,948 ♪ Until those in bondage 462 00:18:36,950 --> 00:18:38,316 ♪ Have the same rights as you and me ♪ 463 00:18:38,318 --> 00:18:39,884 -♪ You and I, do or die ♪ 464 00:18:39,886 --> 00:18:41,385 ♪ Wait till I sally in on a stallion ♪ 465 00:18:41,387 --> 00:18:43,020 ♪ With the first black battalion ♪ 466 00:18:43,022 --> 00:18:44,088 ♪ Have another ♪ 467 00:18:44,090 --> 00:18:45,356 ♪ Shot ♪ -♪ Shot ♪ 468 00:18:45,358 --> 00:18:46,424 -And so now I'm working on Burr 469 00:18:46,426 --> 00:18:48,926 sort of jumping in on this, going... 470 00:18:48,928 --> 00:18:50,528 ♪ Geniuses, lower your voices ♪ 471 00:18:50,530 --> 00:18:53,231 ♪ If you keep out of trouble, then you double your choices ♪ 472 00:18:53,233 --> 00:18:55,466 ♪ Shooting off at the mouth, shooting from the hip ♪ 473 00:18:55,468 --> 00:18:56,767 ♪ Shooting the...♪ 474 00:18:56,769 --> 00:18:58,569 Or, "Something, shooty, shooty, shooty, shooty, 475 00:18:58,571 --> 00:18:59,637 shooty, shooty, shot." 476 00:18:59,639 --> 00:19:00,938 I haven't figured out how it works yet. 477 00:19:00,940 --> 00:19:03,174 -♪ Geniuses, lower your voices ♪ 478 00:19:03,176 --> 00:19:05,743 ♪ You keep out of trouble, and you double your choices ♪ 479 00:19:05,745 --> 00:19:08,446 ♪ I'm with you, but the situation is fraught ♪ 480 00:19:08,448 --> 00:19:10,515 ♪ You've got to be carefully taught ♪ 481 00:19:10,517 --> 00:19:12,383 ♪ If you talk, you're gonna get shot ♪ 482 00:19:12,385 --> 00:19:14,385 -And the Hamilton comes in 483 00:19:14,387 --> 00:19:18,589 and, as was his genius, synthesizes it all. 484 00:19:18,591 --> 00:19:20,191 -♪ Burr, check what we got ♪ 485 00:19:20,193 --> 00:19:22,760 ♪ Mr. Lafayette, hard rock like Lancelot ♪ 486 00:19:22,762 --> 00:19:24,162 ♪ I think your pants look hot ♪ 487 00:19:24,164 --> 00:19:26,130 ♪ Laurens, I like you a lot, let's hatch a plot ♪ 488 00:19:26,132 --> 00:19:28,065 ♪ Blacker than the kettle callin' the pot ♪ 489 00:19:28,067 --> 00:19:30,601 ♪ What are the odds the gods would put us all in one spot? ♪ 490 00:19:30,603 --> 00:19:32,203 ♪ Poppin' a squat on conventional wisdom ♪ 491 00:19:32,205 --> 00:19:33,671 ♪ Like it or not ♪ 492 00:19:33,673 --> 00:19:36,174 ♪ A bunch of revolutionary manumission abolitionists ♪ 493 00:19:36,176 --> 00:19:37,375 -♪ Give me a position ♪ 494 00:19:37,377 --> 00:19:39,944 ♪ Show me where the ammunition is ♪ 495 00:19:39,946 --> 00:19:42,547 And then I want him to sort of stun his friends into silence. 496 00:19:42,549 --> 00:19:44,215 -♪ Oh, am I talkin' too loud? ♪ 497 00:19:44,217 --> 00:19:46,584 ♪ Sometimes I get overexcited, shoot off at the mouth ♪ 498 00:19:46,586 --> 00:19:48,553 ♪ I never had a group of friends before ♪ 499 00:19:48,555 --> 00:19:50,922 ♪ I promise that I'll make y'all proud ♪ 500 00:19:50,924 --> 00:19:53,724 -Little beat of silence, and Laurens goes, 501 00:19:53,726 --> 00:19:56,027 "Let's get this guy in front of a crowd." 502 00:19:56,029 --> 00:19:57,929 And then we go into the chorus. 503 00:19:57,931 --> 00:20:00,631 -♪ And I'm not throwin' away my shot ♪ 504 00:20:00,633 --> 00:20:03,134 ♪ I am not throwin' away my shot ♪ 505 00:20:03,136 --> 00:20:04,669 ♪ Hey, yo, I'm just like my country ♪ 506 00:20:04,671 --> 00:20:06,137 ♪ I'm young, scrappy, and hungry ♪ 507 00:20:06,139 --> 00:20:08,206 ♪ And I'm not throwin' away my shot ♪ 508 00:20:08,208 --> 00:20:10,608 ♪ We gonna rise up ♪ -♪ Not throwin' away my shot ♪ 509 00:20:10,610 --> 00:20:12,376 -♪ Time to take a shot ♪ ♪ We gonna rise up ♪ 510 00:20:12,378 --> 00:20:14,078 -♪ Not throwin' away my shot ♪ -♪ Time to take a shot ♪ 511 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:16,447 -♪ We gonna rise up, rise up ♪ -♪ It's time to take a shot ♪ 512 00:20:16,449 --> 00:20:19,217 -♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ -♪ It's time to take a shot ♪ 513 00:20:19,219 --> 00:20:20,618 -♪ Rise up ♪ -♪ It's time to take a shot ♪ 514 00:20:20,620 --> 00:20:22,053 ♪ Rise up ♪ ♪ It's time to take a shot ♪ 515 00:20:22,055 --> 00:20:24,088 -♪ Oh-oh, oh ♪ -♪ Take a shot, shot, shot ♪ 516 00:20:24,090 --> 00:20:26,591 ♪ It's time to take a shot, time to take a shot ♪ 517 00:20:26,593 --> 00:20:28,926 ♪ And I am not throwin' away my ♪ 518 00:20:28,928 --> 00:20:31,362 -♪ Not throwin' away my shot ♪ 519 00:20:31,364 --> 00:20:33,064 [ Final chord plays ] 520 00:20:33,066 --> 00:20:36,200 -Hamilton didn't really meet Lafayette, Laurens, 521 00:20:36,202 --> 00:20:38,769 and Mulligan all at once in the same bar, 522 00:20:38,771 --> 00:20:41,305 but we're gonna meet them all at once because we got to go. 523 00:20:41,307 --> 00:20:43,808 We've got a lot of story to tell, 524 00:20:43,810 --> 00:20:45,042 and we want to get you out 525 00:20:45,044 --> 00:20:48,212 before "Les Mis" gets out next door. 526 00:20:48,214 --> 00:20:49,513 I'm a big fan of musicals 527 00:20:49,515 --> 00:20:51,849 that attempt to wrestle history to the stage, 528 00:20:51,851 --> 00:20:54,352 and everyone writing a musical about history 529 00:20:54,354 --> 00:20:56,454 is standing in the shadow of Sondheim, 530 00:20:56,456 --> 00:20:59,390 standing in the shadow of John Weidman. 531 00:20:59,392 --> 00:21:00,725 Why do we go to history? 532 00:21:00,727 --> 00:21:03,594 Why is real life more interesting than whole cloth? 533 00:21:03,596 --> 00:21:05,196 -It's interesting because what happens is, 534 00:21:05,198 --> 00:21:07,265 when you live through history, you don't know it's history, 535 00:21:07,267 --> 00:21:08,366 you know? -Yeah. 536 00:21:08,368 --> 00:21:10,001 -And you so you have to talk to John. 537 00:21:10,003 --> 00:21:11,135 John's a historian. 538 00:21:11,137 --> 00:21:13,304 I only write historical shows with John 539 00:21:13,306 --> 00:21:16,307 because I love going to school and learning, but history -- 540 00:21:16,309 --> 00:21:18,242 I couldn't get into it, as we say. 541 00:21:18,244 --> 00:21:20,244 And I think maybe John was the person 542 00:21:20,246 --> 00:21:22,913 who got me interested in history very late in life. 543 00:21:22,915 --> 00:21:25,883 -In all the shows that Steve and I have written together, 544 00:21:25,885 --> 00:21:28,085 including "Assassins," you reach a point, I think, 545 00:21:28,087 --> 00:21:31,022 where the research is over and you then invent the character 546 00:21:31,024 --> 00:21:32,923 who actually existed in history and -- 547 00:21:32,925 --> 00:21:35,192 -But they're still partly defined by what they did. 548 00:21:35,194 --> 00:21:36,427 That's the event. 549 00:21:36,429 --> 00:21:38,162 -Absolutely, and that's what the audience 550 00:21:38,164 --> 00:21:39,697 will bring into the theater with them, 551 00:21:39,699 --> 00:21:40,998 so you have to be aware of that. 552 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:43,334 But they live in a kind of a penumbral area, 553 00:21:43,336 --> 00:21:44,802 where they are who they were, 554 00:21:44,804 --> 00:21:47,071 but they're also who you want them to be. 555 00:21:47,073 --> 00:21:49,674 -Well, that leads me to a really good bit of advice 556 00:21:49,676 --> 00:21:52,310 you gave me early when I was writing "Hamilton." 557 00:21:52,312 --> 00:21:55,880 I was drowning in research. And what you told me was, 558 00:21:55,882 --> 00:21:58,282 "Just write the parts you think are a musical." 559 00:21:58,284 --> 00:22:01,419 And that forms its own spine. 560 00:22:01,421 --> 00:22:03,521 -♪ You'll be back ♪ 561 00:22:03,523 --> 00:22:05,656 ♪ Soon you'll see ♪ 562 00:22:05,658 --> 00:22:09,527 ♪ You'll remember you belong to me ♪ 563 00:22:09,529 --> 00:22:11,562 ♪ You'll be back ♪ 564 00:22:11,564 --> 00:22:13,698 ♪ Time will tell ♪ 565 00:22:13,700 --> 00:22:17,535 ♪ You'll remember that I served you well ♪ 566 00:22:17,537 --> 00:22:20,504 -King George just sort of showed up in my brain. 567 00:22:20,506 --> 00:22:21,872 It doesn't make sense on paper 568 00:22:21,874 --> 00:22:24,342 that he should be a character in this musical. 569 00:22:24,344 --> 00:22:26,877 He's all the way across the ocean, far from the events. 570 00:22:26,879 --> 00:22:28,179 He and Hamilton never met. 571 00:22:28,181 --> 00:22:30,348 At the same time, to give him these moments 572 00:22:30,350 --> 00:22:31,649 throughout the show 573 00:22:31,651 --> 00:22:34,585 robs the American Revolution of its inevitability. 574 00:22:34,587 --> 00:22:39,056 -Each piece of music is specific to an emotion and a character. 575 00:22:39,058 --> 00:22:41,592 Even though it's about history, Lin has found a way 576 00:22:41,594 --> 00:22:44,128 lyrically and musically to connect it to now. 577 00:22:44,130 --> 00:22:48,265 And so having the King George psychology 578 00:22:48,267 --> 00:22:50,735 be like a breakup song from Britain to America, 579 00:22:50,737 --> 00:22:52,970 I feel like, makes it really relatable. 580 00:22:52,972 --> 00:22:56,807 -♪ When you're gone, I'll go mad ♪ 581 00:22:56,809 --> 00:23:00,878 ♪ So don't throw away this thing we had ♪ 582 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:05,216 ♪ 'Cause when push comes to shove ♪ 583 00:23:05,218 --> 00:23:10,554 ♪ I will kill your friends and family ♪ 584 00:23:10,556 --> 00:23:14,658 ♪ To remind you of my love ♪ 585 00:23:14,660 --> 00:23:16,961 -None of the shows we're talking about are documentaries. 586 00:23:16,963 --> 00:23:20,097 None of them are book reports with songs added. 587 00:23:20,099 --> 00:23:23,434 I mean, ultimately, they're artists' inventions. 588 00:23:23,436 --> 00:23:24,702 -Yeah. 589 00:23:24,704 --> 00:23:26,070 -I got into the history through the characters. 590 00:23:26,072 --> 00:23:29,407 John got into the history that surrounded the characters, 591 00:23:29,409 --> 00:23:32,410 and then we met there. He sparks me, and I spark him. 592 00:23:32,412 --> 00:23:34,044 Or, as George Furth said, 593 00:23:34,046 --> 00:23:36,013 "I collabor him, and he collabors me." 594 00:23:36,015 --> 00:23:37,948 [ Laughter ] 595 00:23:37,950 --> 00:23:40,951 [ Piano plays ] 596 00:23:40,953 --> 00:23:43,220 -One, two, three. 597 00:23:43,222 --> 00:23:45,723 ♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪ 598 00:23:45,725 --> 00:23:47,892 And then to... "Raise a glass to freedom," 599 00:23:47,894 --> 00:23:50,194 maybe seven, "something they can never take away," 600 00:23:50,196 --> 00:23:52,663 and then go through the chorus and then go to Laurens -- 601 00:23:52,665 --> 00:23:54,665 ♪ I may not live to see our glory ♪ 602 00:23:54,667 --> 00:23:56,634 -Right, and Laurens was the bringer of that. 603 00:23:56,636 --> 00:23:58,436 Yeah. The Cabinet meetings 604 00:23:58,438 --> 00:24:00,404 are really my favorite part of the process. 605 00:24:00,406 --> 00:24:03,908 They are when I bring in a song to my collaborators -- 606 00:24:03,910 --> 00:24:05,576 let's say, "The Story of Tonight" -- 607 00:24:05,578 --> 00:24:06,844 and I go, "Here's what I've written." 608 00:24:06,846 --> 00:24:09,613 And then we pull it apart. 609 00:24:09,615 --> 00:24:12,249 I don't want to lose the... ♪ Duh-uh-uh uh uh ♪ 610 00:24:12,251 --> 00:24:13,918 -Okay, okay. -That's worth saving, to me. 611 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:15,319 -So, does that mean start it and not -- 612 00:24:15,321 --> 00:24:16,854 -Not starting. -Start it in the basement? 613 00:24:16,856 --> 00:24:19,256 -♪ Glass to freedom ♪ -♪ Raise a glass to freedom ♪ 614 00:24:19,258 --> 00:24:23,994 ♪ Something they can never take away ♪ 615 00:24:23,996 --> 00:24:26,197 I wear a lot of hats in "Hamilton." 616 00:24:26,199 --> 00:24:27,531 I'm the music director. 617 00:24:27,533 --> 00:24:29,567 I'm one of the arrangers with Lin-Manuel. 618 00:24:29,569 --> 00:24:32,536 I am the orchestrator. I am the conductor. 619 00:24:32,538 --> 00:24:36,106 I am the keyboard player. I take on all those duties 620 00:24:36,108 --> 00:24:38,342 just because I feel like I have such a strong opinion 621 00:24:38,344 --> 00:24:40,611 about how I think something should sound, 622 00:24:40,613 --> 00:24:43,747 but also because I feel like I know what Lin is looking for. 623 00:24:43,749 --> 00:24:47,051 I feel like I know how it is that I can execute his vision. 624 00:24:47,053 --> 00:24:49,386 I don't think it's about tacking on another chorus 625 00:24:49,388 --> 00:24:50,921 unless you think it just needs that. 626 00:24:50,923 --> 00:24:53,057 -No, I don't think we need it. But I feel like Andy's 627 00:24:53,059 --> 00:24:55,826 gonna have a million things to weigh in on. 628 00:24:55,828 --> 00:24:59,129 -Choreography, to me, is the writing idea, 629 00:24:59,131 --> 00:25:01,265 the lyric idea, the emotional idea, 630 00:25:01,267 --> 00:25:04,268 that then is exaggerated into a heightened state, 631 00:25:04,270 --> 00:25:07,071 and it becomes physicalized. 632 00:25:07,073 --> 00:25:08,839 What's amazing about our team is, 633 00:25:08,841 --> 00:25:11,008 we're finishing each other's sentences all the time. 634 00:25:11,010 --> 00:25:13,711 What Lin writes and Alex arranges 635 00:25:13,713 --> 00:25:15,412 works for me, choreographically. 636 00:25:15,414 --> 00:25:18,716 And my ideas meet Tommy's sensibilities. 637 00:25:18,718 --> 00:25:20,584 So, that's why our work can be seamless. 638 00:25:20,586 --> 00:25:22,620 That's why it seems like one thing goes right into the next. 639 00:25:22,622 --> 00:25:23,888 -Anything else with 640 00:25:23,890 --> 00:25:25,222 the Hamilton-Washington back-and-forth? 641 00:25:25,224 --> 00:25:26,323 You guys good? -I'm good. 642 00:25:26,325 --> 00:25:28,392 -I'm good. -All right, moving on. 643 00:25:28,394 --> 00:25:30,961 As a very mediocre American history major, 644 00:25:30,963 --> 00:25:32,863 I was exposed to a lot of these kinds 645 00:25:32,865 --> 00:25:34,765 of stories told in very different ways. 646 00:25:34,767 --> 00:25:39,069 And what I wanted to try to do was remove 647 00:25:39,071 --> 00:25:44,174 any of the black-and-white nostalgia, sepia tone, 648 00:25:44,176 --> 00:25:46,143 and make this feel vital and vibrant. 649 00:25:46,145 --> 00:25:47,811 -♪ Here comes the General ♪ 650 00:25:47,813 --> 00:25:49,380 -♪ Ladies and gentlemen ♪ 651 00:25:49,382 --> 00:25:50,548 -♪ Here comes the General ♪ 652 00:25:50,550 --> 00:25:52,650 -♪ The moment you've been waiting for ♪ 653 00:25:52,652 --> 00:25:54,885 -♪ Here comes the General ♪ -♪ The pride of Mount Vernon ♪ 654 00:25:54,887 --> 00:25:57,454 -♪ Here comes the General ♪ -♪ George Washington ♪ 655 00:25:57,456 --> 00:25:59,456 -♪ We are outgunned ♪ -♪ What? ♪ 656 00:25:59,458 --> 00:26:00,925 -♪ Outmanned ♪ -♪ What? ♪ 657 00:26:00,927 --> 00:26:02,893 -♪ Outnumbered, outplanned ♪ 658 00:26:02,895 --> 00:26:04,328 -♪ Buck, buck, buck, buck, buck ♪ 659 00:26:04,330 --> 00:26:06,330 ♪ We got to make an all-out stand ♪ 660 00:26:06,332 --> 00:26:09,199 ♪ A-yo, I'm gonna need a right-hand man ♪ 661 00:26:09,201 --> 00:26:10,634 -♪ Buck, buck, buck, buck, buck ♪ 662 00:26:10,636 --> 00:26:11,835 -We're meeting Washington 663 00:26:11,837 --> 00:26:14,505 at the crux of the entire conflict. 664 00:26:14,507 --> 00:26:17,942 Boston is over. He's just lost New York. 665 00:26:17,944 --> 00:26:20,010 His army is as close to being annihilated 666 00:26:20,012 --> 00:26:22,346 in that moment as you could imagine. 667 00:26:22,348 --> 00:26:24,148 -To meet him that way suddenly takes us 668 00:26:24,150 --> 00:26:25,616 out of the history books. 669 00:26:25,618 --> 00:26:29,186 It takes us into the urgency of, "Oh, we might not win." 670 00:26:29,188 --> 00:26:30,788 -Initially, when the war begins, 671 00:26:30,790 --> 00:26:33,223 there's a lot of retreating on the part of Washington. 672 00:26:33,225 --> 00:26:34,825 And what he's trying to do, really, 673 00:26:34,827 --> 00:26:36,794 is just keep the war going. 674 00:26:36,796 --> 00:26:39,830 -He's juggling how to get all of these soldiers out of harm's way 675 00:26:39,832 --> 00:26:41,231 and away from all of the ships 676 00:26:41,233 --> 00:26:43,033 that are still in New York Harbor. 677 00:26:43,035 --> 00:26:46,337 He has no one to turn to. Up pops Hamilton. 678 00:26:46,339 --> 00:26:47,538 [ Mid-tempo music plays ] 679 00:26:47,540 --> 00:26:49,139 -♪ Have I done something wrong, sir? ♪ 680 00:26:49,141 --> 00:26:51,141 -♪ On the contrary, I called you here ♪ 681 00:26:51,143 --> 00:26:53,277 ♪ Because our odds are beyond scary ♪ 682 00:26:53,279 --> 00:26:56,480 ♪ Your reputation precedes you, but I have to laugh ♪ 683 00:26:56,482 --> 00:26:57,748 -♪ Sir? ♪ -♪ Hamilton, how come ♪ 684 00:26:57,750 --> 00:26:59,149 ♪ No one can get you on their staff? ♪ 685 00:26:59,151 --> 00:27:00,618 -♪ Sir ♪ -♪ Don't get me wrong ♪ 686 00:27:00,620 --> 00:27:02,586 ♪ You're a young man, of great renown ♪ 687 00:27:02,588 --> 00:27:04,054 ♪ I know you stole British cannons ♪ 688 00:27:04,056 --> 00:27:05,589 ♪ When we were still downtown ♪ 689 00:27:05,591 --> 00:27:07,358 ♪ Nathanael Greene and Henry Knox ♪ 690 00:27:07,360 --> 00:27:09,627 ♪ Wanted to hire you ♪ -♪ Yeah, to be their secretary ♪ 691 00:27:09,629 --> 00:27:11,795 ♪ I don't think so ♪ -♪ Now, why are you upset? ♪ 692 00:27:11,797 --> 00:27:13,097 -♪ I'm not ♪ -♪ It's all right ♪ 693 00:27:13,099 --> 00:27:14,832 ♪ You want to fight, you've got a hunger ♪ 694 00:27:14,834 --> 00:27:17,267 ♪ I was just like you when I was younger ♪ 695 00:27:17,269 --> 00:27:20,270 ♪ Head full of fantasies of dyin' like a martyr? ♪ 696 00:27:20,272 --> 00:27:22,039 -♪ Yes ♪ -♪ Dying is easy, young man ♪ 697 00:27:22,041 --> 00:27:23,674 ♪ Living is harder ♪ 698 00:27:23,676 --> 00:27:26,076 -It's really fair to say that, without Washington, 699 00:27:26,078 --> 00:27:28,912 Hamilton would not have had someone to enable him 700 00:27:28,914 --> 00:27:30,914 to achieve the things that he achieved. 701 00:27:30,916 --> 00:27:33,884 Conversely, without Hamilton, Washington wouldn't have had 702 00:27:33,886 --> 00:27:36,687 someone there to help him and advise him. 703 00:27:36,689 --> 00:27:38,756 When you're in someone like Washington's position, 704 00:27:38,758 --> 00:27:41,392 you don't -- there aren't many people that you can truly trust. 705 00:27:41,394 --> 00:27:44,328 -Hamilton had distinguished himself multiple times 706 00:27:44,330 --> 00:27:45,829 as a warrior. 707 00:27:45,831 --> 00:27:47,965 It was probably one reason why he was frustrated 708 00:27:47,967 --> 00:27:50,300 that he was not then promoted as a warrior, 709 00:27:50,302 --> 00:27:52,736 but then was promoted as a secretary, 710 00:27:52,738 --> 00:27:54,872 an aide-de-camp to George Washington. 711 00:27:54,874 --> 00:27:56,240 -♪ Boom ♪ -♪ I'll write to Congress ♪ 712 00:27:56,242 --> 00:27:57,808 ♪ And tell 'em you need supplies ♪ 713 00:27:57,810 --> 00:27:58,942 ♪ You rally the guys ♪ 714 00:27:58,944 --> 00:28:00,477 ♪ Master the element of surprise ♪ 715 00:28:00,479 --> 00:28:02,012 -♪ Chicka-boom ♪ 716 00:28:02,014 --> 00:28:04,281 -♪ I'll rise above my station, organize your information ♪ 717 00:28:04,283 --> 00:28:07,785 ♪ Till we rise to the occasion of our new nation, sir ♪ 718 00:28:07,787 --> 00:28:09,386 -♪ Here comes the general ♪ -♪ Rise up ♪ 719 00:28:09,388 --> 00:28:11,622 -♪ What? Here comes the general ♪ 720 00:28:11,624 --> 00:28:13,490 -♪ Rise up ♪ -♪ What? ♪ 721 00:28:13,492 --> 00:28:15,526 ♪ Here comes the general ♪ -♪ Rise up ♪ 722 00:28:15,528 --> 00:28:17,761 -♪ What? Here comes the general ♪ 723 00:28:17,763 --> 00:28:19,363 -♪ What? ♪ 724 00:28:19,365 --> 00:28:21,498 -♪ And his right-hand man ♪ 725 00:28:21,500 --> 00:28:23,167 -♪ Boom ♪ 726 00:28:23,169 --> 00:28:25,569 [ Cannon fires ] 727 00:28:25,571 --> 00:28:29,440 [ Birds chirping ] 728 00:28:29,442 --> 00:28:31,709 -It's rare that you do a show 729 00:28:31,711 --> 00:28:34,378 where you have so many literal touchstones, 730 00:28:34,380 --> 00:28:36,613 places that support the research that you've done. 731 00:28:36,615 --> 00:28:38,449 It's helped keep the fire burning, 732 00:28:38,451 --> 00:28:40,184 you know, day after day, doing the show, 733 00:28:40,186 --> 00:28:41,785 eight shows a week, and being able 734 00:28:41,787 --> 00:28:44,054 to imagine yourself in a very real way 735 00:28:44,056 --> 00:28:46,590 in those same footsteps. 736 00:28:46,592 --> 00:28:48,726 -That would have been Mr. and Mrs. Washington's room. 737 00:28:48,728 --> 00:28:51,295 You're looking at it just as they would have seen it. 738 00:28:51,297 --> 00:28:53,731 -I can't even imagine how much stress he must have been under. 739 00:28:53,733 --> 00:28:55,065 -I can't, either. 740 00:28:55,067 --> 00:28:57,101 -All of them, all those guys, like, how much stress. 741 00:28:57,103 --> 00:29:00,003 They must have been constantly, every day just... 742 00:29:00,005 --> 00:29:03,774 -When you got 20,000 people just right outside your door 743 00:29:03,776 --> 00:29:05,676 who are constantly, you know, trying not to die. 744 00:29:05,678 --> 00:29:07,177 -Trying not to die, trying to figure out 745 00:29:07,179 --> 00:29:08,912 how to stay alive, like... -Exactly. 746 00:29:08,914 --> 00:29:11,248 Literally trying not to die. 747 00:29:11,250 --> 00:29:12,816 -The front parlor would have been used 748 00:29:12,818 --> 00:29:14,918 by General Washington's aide-de-camps, 749 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:16,653 Hamilton, along with John Laurens. 750 00:29:16,655 --> 00:29:18,489 They were the two prominent secretaries 751 00:29:18,491 --> 00:29:19,957 that worked for Washington here. 752 00:29:19,959 --> 00:29:22,593 All the paperwork it took to administer the Continental Army 753 00:29:22,595 --> 00:29:24,762 is being done in this room here. 754 00:29:24,764 --> 00:29:26,497 -As Washington's aide-de-camp, 755 00:29:26,499 --> 00:29:27,831 Hamilton is doing everything 756 00:29:27,833 --> 00:29:29,933 from sorting through intelligence 757 00:29:29,935 --> 00:29:31,769 to carrying out prisoner exchanges. 758 00:29:31,771 --> 00:29:34,304 He's writing essays. He's writing letters. 759 00:29:34,306 --> 00:29:36,473 He's teaching himself about foreign currencies. 760 00:29:36,475 --> 00:29:39,576 So, he was really using the American Revolution 761 00:29:39,578 --> 00:29:43,847 as a kind of crash course in history and politics. 762 00:29:43,849 --> 00:29:45,916 -Just being in Valley Forge, 763 00:29:45,918 --> 00:29:48,152 you realize how much ground they had to cover. 764 00:29:48,154 --> 00:29:49,820 When he was like, "Retreat, attack, retreat, 765 00:29:49,822 --> 00:29:51,655 we're moving our men back," it's like -- 766 00:29:51,657 --> 00:29:53,924 that's, like, miles. 767 00:29:53,926 --> 00:29:55,459 That's like crossing state lines 768 00:29:55,461 --> 00:29:57,394 without a car or horse and carriage. 769 00:29:57,463 --> 00:29:59,596 Those are soldiers that are, like, foot soldiers. 770 00:29:59,665 --> 00:30:04,334 The scope of it was just so much bigger and far more real. 771 00:30:04,403 --> 00:30:06,603 -Y'all be having reenactments out there? 772 00:30:06,672 --> 00:30:07,905 -Yeah, we do it every now and then. 773 00:30:07,973 --> 00:30:09,373 We'll do cannon firing and that kind of thing. 774 00:30:09,441 --> 00:30:11,108 -Will they let us fire a cannon? 775 00:30:11,177 --> 00:30:12,509 -We'll get you on a musket. How's that? 776 00:30:12,578 --> 00:30:13,544 -You know? -There. See? 777 00:30:13,612 --> 00:30:15,779 -Hell, that's -- that's nothing -- 778 00:30:15,848 --> 00:30:17,080 that's good. -Yeah. 779 00:30:17,149 --> 00:30:18,649 -I'll fire the... out of a musket. 780 00:30:18,717 --> 00:30:22,052 [ Laughter ] 781 00:30:22,121 --> 00:30:24,621 -Hamilton, by all accounts, was girl-crazy. 782 00:30:24,623 --> 00:30:26,123 And so throughout the Revolutionary War, 783 00:30:26,125 --> 00:30:27,858 he's not only searching for military glory, 784 00:30:27,860 --> 00:30:31,128 but he's searching for the woman of his dreams. 785 00:30:31,130 --> 00:30:32,396 -Where are you taking me? 786 00:30:32,398 --> 00:30:34,131 -I'm about to change your life. 787 00:30:34,133 --> 00:30:36,633 -Then by all means, lead the way. 788 00:30:36,635 --> 00:30:39,303 -Elizabeth Schuyler. It's a pleasure to meet you. 789 00:30:39,305 --> 00:30:41,371 -Schuyler? -My sister. 790 00:30:41,373 --> 00:30:43,140 -Thank you for all your service. 791 00:30:43,142 --> 00:30:44,908 -If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, 792 00:30:44,910 --> 00:30:46,543 it will have been worth it. 793 00:30:46,545 --> 00:30:49,313 -I'll leave you to it. 794 00:30:49,315 --> 00:30:54,151 -Eliza and Alexander essentially met during a war. 795 00:30:54,153 --> 00:30:56,620 Hamilton was camped a couple miles away 796 00:30:56,622 --> 00:30:59,089 from the house that Eliza was staying in. 797 00:30:59,091 --> 00:31:02,759 -This is the house where Elizabeth Schuyler 798 00:31:02,761 --> 00:31:04,628 came to visit with her uncle and aunt. 799 00:31:04,630 --> 00:31:06,730 Her aunt realized that, you know, 800 00:31:06,732 --> 00:31:09,199 it's hard to find a boy during wartime. 801 00:31:09,201 --> 00:31:11,134 They've all gone to the front. 802 00:31:11,136 --> 00:31:13,403 -Go visit Auntie and meet some men. 803 00:31:13,405 --> 00:31:15,472 [ Laughter ] -And she met the guy 804 00:31:15,474 --> 00:31:19,276 who was staying next door -- Alexander Hamilton. 805 00:31:19,278 --> 00:31:22,045 -♪ Helpless ♪ -♪ I am so into you ♪ 806 00:31:22,047 --> 00:31:24,281 -♪ Look into your eyes ♪ -♪ I am so into you ♪ 807 00:31:24,283 --> 00:31:26,450 -♪ And the sky's the limit ♪ -♪ I'm helpless ♪ 808 00:31:26,452 --> 00:31:29,353 -♪ I know I'm ♪ -♪ Down for the count ♪ 809 00:31:29,355 --> 00:31:31,555 ♪ And I'm ♪ -♪ Drownin' in 'em ♪ 810 00:31:31,557 --> 00:31:33,457 -Everyone immediately noticed 811 00:31:33,459 --> 00:31:35,659 that Hamilton and his future sister-in-law, 812 00:31:35,661 --> 00:31:39,129 Angelica, were very enamored of each other. 813 00:31:39,131 --> 00:31:41,064 -Hamilton met Angelica first, 814 00:31:41,066 --> 00:31:43,734 and, oh, their connection is actually really strong 815 00:31:43,736 --> 00:31:45,869 and intense and is intellectual. 816 00:31:45,871 --> 00:31:47,604 -Lin actually credits Angelica 817 00:31:47,606 --> 00:31:50,474 with being the smartest person in the show. 818 00:31:50,476 --> 00:31:51,942 What she could do with her pen, 819 00:31:51,944 --> 00:31:54,811 what she could probably do with a look [Chuckles] 820 00:31:54,813 --> 00:31:58,949 was very, very potent and probably had to be. 821 00:31:58,951 --> 00:32:01,151 -♪ I've been reading "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine ♪ 822 00:32:01,153 --> 00:32:03,320 ♪ So men say that I'm intense or I'm insane ♪ 823 00:32:03,322 --> 00:32:05,956 ♪ You want a revolution? I want a revelation ♪ 824 00:32:05,958 --> 00:32:07,891 ♪ So listen to my declaration ♪ 825 00:32:07,893 --> 00:32:10,294 ♪ We hold these truths to be self-evident ♪ 826 00:32:10,296 --> 00:32:12,496 ♪ That all men are created equal ♪ 827 00:32:12,498 --> 00:32:13,797 ♪ And when I meet Thomas Jefferson ♪ 828 00:32:13,799 --> 00:32:14,932 -♪ Oh ♪ -♪ I'm-a compel him ♪ 829 00:32:14,934 --> 00:32:17,067 ♪ To include women in the sequel ♪ 830 00:32:17,069 --> 00:32:18,302 -Work! 831 00:32:18,304 --> 00:32:19,970 -In this period, women were still 832 00:32:19,972 --> 00:32:21,872 very much assumed to have a certain role, 833 00:32:21,874 --> 00:32:24,675 but that said, it's also important to note 834 00:32:24,677 --> 00:32:26,977 that the Revolution politicized women. 835 00:32:26,979 --> 00:32:28,679 It politicized enslaved people. 836 00:32:28,681 --> 00:32:31,214 It politicized people who were there at the time, 837 00:32:31,216 --> 00:32:33,183 living the Revolution. It's important to remember 838 00:32:33,185 --> 00:32:35,452 that it's not just men who assumed that. 839 00:32:35,454 --> 00:32:38,088 -The wives of the founding fathers 840 00:32:38,090 --> 00:32:40,324 also really had a place in history. 841 00:32:40,326 --> 00:32:42,526 They worked as hard as the men did. 842 00:32:42,528 --> 00:32:45,162 And Abigail Adams asked her husband 843 00:32:45,164 --> 00:32:47,297 not to forget the ladies. 844 00:32:47,299 --> 00:32:49,232 -♪ Look around, look around ♪ 845 00:32:49,234 --> 00:32:52,302 ♪ At how lucky we are to be alive right now ♪ 846 00:32:52,304 --> 00:32:54,805 -♪ History is happening in Manhattan ♪ 847 00:32:54,807 --> 00:32:56,707 ♪ And we just happen to be ♪ 848 00:32:56,709 --> 00:32:58,809 ♪ In the greatest city in the world ♪ 849 00:32:58,811 --> 00:33:01,478 ♪ In the greatest city in the world ♪ 850 00:33:01,480 --> 00:33:04,014 -♪ Work, work ♪ -♪ Angelica ♪ 851 00:33:04,016 --> 00:33:05,983 -♪ Work, work ♪ -♪ Eliza ♪ 852 00:33:05,985 --> 00:33:07,284 -♪ And Peggy ♪ -♪ Work, work ♪ 853 00:33:07,286 --> 00:33:09,720 -♪ The Schuyler sisters ♪ -♪ Work, work ♪ 854 00:33:09,722 --> 00:33:11,221 -♪ We're looking for a mind at work ♪ 855 00:33:11,223 --> 00:33:12,389 -♪ Work ♪ -♪ Hey ♪ 856 00:33:12,391 --> 00:33:14,725 -♪ Work, work ♪ -♪ Hey, whoa-ah ♪ 857 00:33:14,727 --> 00:33:16,126 -♪ Work ♪ 858 00:33:16,128 --> 00:33:18,228 -♪ In the greatest city ♪ -♪ In the greatest city ♪ 859 00:33:18,230 --> 00:33:20,797 -♪ In the wo-o-o-rld ♪ 860 00:33:20,799 --> 00:33:23,000 -♪ In the greatest city in the world ♪ 861 00:33:29,975 --> 00:33:32,242 -I'm gonna fix myself a gin and tonic 862 00:33:32,244 --> 00:33:35,012 because the only thing in my fridge 863 00:33:35,014 --> 00:33:38,682 is tonic water and some ketchup. 864 00:33:38,684 --> 00:33:41,151 There are three major projects happening right now. 865 00:33:41,153 --> 00:33:42,953 It was our first day of rehearsal. 866 00:33:42,955 --> 00:33:46,490 There's my infant child, who turned two weeks old today. 867 00:33:46,492 --> 00:33:49,292 And then there's the apartment, which is finally ready, 868 00:33:49,294 --> 00:33:52,596 but now doesn't have people to help unpack it. 869 00:33:52,598 --> 00:33:54,498 We worked really hard all weekend, 870 00:33:54,500 --> 00:33:57,134 [Laughing] and this is as far as we got. 871 00:33:57,136 --> 00:33:58,568 We start staging next week, 872 00:33:58,570 --> 00:34:00,871 so we have the week to learn all the music, 873 00:34:00,873 --> 00:34:02,172 52 songs, 874 00:34:02,174 --> 00:34:04,808 not including the ones I haven't written yet. 875 00:34:04,810 --> 00:34:06,977 Today, the second song we taught was "Yorktown," 876 00:34:06,979 --> 00:34:08,311 and Hamilton's line, 877 00:34:08,313 --> 00:34:10,013 "Then again, my Eliza's expecting me, 878 00:34:10,015 --> 00:34:12,082 not to mention my Eliza's expecting, 879 00:34:12,084 --> 00:34:14,785 so, you know, we got to go, got to get the job done, 880 00:34:14,787 --> 00:34:16,920 got to start a new nation, got to meet my son!" 881 00:34:16,922 --> 00:34:19,389 Like, Hamilton in that moment 882 00:34:19,391 --> 00:34:21,024 is actually where I'm at in my life. 883 00:34:21,026 --> 00:34:24,594 It's like he's got one more battle to fight 884 00:34:24,596 --> 00:34:27,531 before the war is over, 885 00:34:27,533 --> 00:34:30,267 but he's also got a kid on the way, 886 00:34:30,269 --> 00:34:34,438 and his status depends on how he does. 887 00:34:34,440 --> 00:34:37,774 [ Laughing ] I'm in exactly the same place, 888 00:34:37,776 --> 00:34:39,342 which is nuts. 889 00:34:39,344 --> 00:34:42,612 But I'm -- Yeah, I'm basically near the end of act one. 890 00:34:42,614 --> 00:34:44,314 [ Piano plays soft music ] 891 00:34:44,316 --> 00:34:48,552 -[ Rapping ] ♪ The battle of Yorktown ♪ 892 00:34:48,554 --> 00:34:50,454 ♪ 1781 ♪ 893 00:34:50,456 --> 00:34:52,155 -♪ Monsieur Hamilton♪ -♪ Monsieur Lafayette ♪ 894 00:34:52,157 --> 00:34:54,391 -♪ In command where you belong ♪ 895 00:34:54,393 --> 00:34:55,625 -♪ How you say, no sweat ♪ 896 00:34:55,627 --> 00:34:56,593 ♪ We're finally on the field ♪ 897 00:34:56,595 --> 00:34:58,128 ♪ We've had quite a run ♪ 898 00:34:58,130 --> 00:35:00,564 -♪ Immigrants ♪ -♪ We get the job done ♪ 899 00:35:00,566 --> 00:35:02,332 [ Light laughter ] 900 00:35:02,334 --> 00:35:04,801 -Hamilton keeps badgering Washington 901 00:35:04,803 --> 00:35:06,336 until Washington gives him 902 00:35:06,338 --> 00:35:09,106 his first field command at Yorktown, 903 00:35:09,108 --> 00:35:11,475 and Hamilton does not waste the opportunity. 904 00:35:11,477 --> 00:35:13,176 He led a bayonet charge. 905 00:35:13,178 --> 00:35:15,212 Hamilton's men rose out of the trench, 906 00:35:15,214 --> 00:35:18,615 under the glare of shells exploding in the sky above them. 907 00:35:18,617 --> 00:35:21,551 They charged to the parapet of this fortification, 908 00:35:21,553 --> 00:35:22,953 and within 10 minutes, 909 00:35:22,955 --> 00:35:24,621 he had taken this fortification. 910 00:35:24,623 --> 00:35:27,691 So, Hamilton, who had dreamed of battlefield glory 911 00:35:27,693 --> 00:35:29,793 from the time that he was in his early teens, 912 00:35:29,795 --> 00:35:33,330 suddenly has it big-time at Yorktown. 913 00:35:33,332 --> 00:35:35,398 There were still skirmishes going on, 914 00:35:35,400 --> 00:35:36,933 but for all intents and purposes, 915 00:35:36,935 --> 00:35:38,468 the war ends with Yorktown. 916 00:35:38,470 --> 00:35:42,172 It's clear at that point who will be the victor. 917 00:35:42,174 --> 00:35:45,675 ♪♪ 918 00:35:45,677 --> 00:35:49,346 -We booked a slot to open the show at the Public Theater, 919 00:35:49,348 --> 00:35:52,949 home of "Hair" and "Chorus Line," "Runaways," 920 00:35:52,951 --> 00:35:55,785 "Passing Strange," countless other landmark musicals. 921 00:35:55,787 --> 00:35:57,621 -This is one of those nights 922 00:35:57,623 --> 00:36:01,057 where you feel the earth shake a little bit, 923 00:36:01,059 --> 00:36:03,426 you feel the world start to change. 924 00:36:03,428 --> 00:36:06,496 This is opening night of "Hamilton." 925 00:36:06,498 --> 00:36:09,599 Congratulations to all of you. [ Crowd cheers ] 926 00:36:09,601 --> 00:36:11,301 -We've been working on this for 5 1/2 years, 927 00:36:11,303 --> 00:36:14,471 and here we are, pushing it off into the world. 928 00:36:14,473 --> 00:36:15,939 And to see people react to it 929 00:36:15,941 --> 00:36:18,141 and respond to it and be moved by it is -- 930 00:36:18,143 --> 00:36:20,010 it's all you could ever hope for, so we're thrilled. 931 00:36:20,012 --> 00:36:23,246 -My parents saw "Runaways" on their wedding night. 932 00:36:23,248 --> 00:36:24,981 This...is in my blood. 933 00:36:24,983 --> 00:36:27,350 [ Laughter ] 934 00:36:27,352 --> 00:36:30,053 -I have never in my life witnessed 935 00:36:30,055 --> 00:36:34,124 a musical that has penetrated the American culture 936 00:36:34,126 --> 00:36:35,725 faster than "Hamilton." 937 00:36:35,727 --> 00:36:37,661 -It's called "Hamilton." It's about Alexander Hamilton. 938 00:36:37,663 --> 00:36:39,763 I know it's at the Public Theater. 939 00:36:39,765 --> 00:36:41,231 Tarik, you saw it, too, right? Quest, you saw it? 940 00:36:41,233 --> 00:36:42,732 -Yeah. Yeah. -What -- 941 00:36:42,734 --> 00:36:43,967 How amazing is this play? 942 00:36:43,969 --> 00:36:45,402 -It's life-changing. 943 00:36:45,404 --> 00:36:48,138 -After the first two songs, you -- 944 00:36:48,140 --> 00:36:49,573 I looked at my wife, and we were like, 945 00:36:49,575 --> 00:36:51,308 "This might be the greatest thing, 946 00:36:51,310 --> 00:36:53,777 like, we've ever seen ever." 947 00:36:53,779 --> 00:36:55,545 And you kind of look around at the other people 948 00:36:55,547 --> 00:36:57,214 sitting there, like, "Are we right?" 949 00:36:57,216 --> 00:37:00,150 Like, "This is the best thing that's -- Right? 950 00:37:00,152 --> 00:37:01,785 We're all on the same --" But you can't say that 951 00:37:01,787 --> 00:37:03,320 'cause people are acting and performing, 952 00:37:03,322 --> 00:37:06,356 but you're almost in tears. 953 00:37:06,358 --> 00:37:09,492 -We sell out our extensions as quickly as they go on sale, 954 00:37:09,494 --> 00:37:12,295 and the decision is made pretty quickly -- 955 00:37:12,297 --> 00:37:13,563 we're going to Broadway. 956 00:37:13,565 --> 00:37:17,200 -On Sunday, tickets go on sale for Broadway, 957 00:37:17,202 --> 00:37:19,669 "Hamilton," Richard Rodgers Theatre. 958 00:37:19,671 --> 00:37:20,737 Be there. 959 00:37:20,739 --> 00:37:22,739 Thank you for coming this afternoon. 960 00:37:22,741 --> 00:37:24,908 [ Crowd cheers ] 961 00:37:27,579 --> 00:37:30,413 -Our show opened on Tuesday, and the world blew up. 962 00:37:30,415 --> 00:37:33,350 This is crazy. 963 00:37:33,352 --> 00:37:35,885 I don't know what the future holds. 964 00:37:35,887 --> 00:37:37,254 I know that our show opened 965 00:37:37,256 --> 00:37:38,521 and everyone freaked out. 966 00:37:38,523 --> 00:37:40,056 And that's where we're at. 967 00:37:40,058 --> 00:37:43,593 -♪ The world turned upside down ♪ 968 00:37:43,595 --> 00:37:47,998 ♪ Down, down, down, down ♪ 969 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:49,933 -♪ Freedom for America, freedom for France ♪ 970 00:37:49,935 --> 00:37:52,502 -♪ Down, down, down ♪ 971 00:37:52,504 --> 00:37:54,871 -♪ Got to start a new nation, got to meet my son ♪ 972 00:37:54,873 --> 00:37:57,974 -♪ Down, down, down ♪ -♪ We won ♪ 973 00:37:57,976 --> 00:37:59,175 -♪ We won ♪ -♪ We won ♪ 974 00:37:59,177 --> 00:38:00,343 -♪ We won ♪ 975 00:38:00,345 --> 00:38:06,316 -♪ The world turned upside down ♪ 976 00:38:06,318 --> 00:38:08,818 [ Indistinct shouting ] 977 00:38:14,660 --> 00:38:16,860 [ Up-tempo music plays ] 978 00:38:16,862 --> 00:38:20,430 -[ Rapping indistinctly ] 979 00:38:20,432 --> 00:38:22,399 ♪ Unh ♪ 980 00:38:24,636 --> 00:38:27,904 ♪ Six years of labor, these are the fruits ♪ 981 00:38:27,906 --> 00:38:31,374 ♪ I'm onstage with The...Roots ♪ 982 00:38:31,376 --> 00:38:33,343 [ Crowd cheers ] 983 00:38:33,345 --> 00:38:35,412 ♪ This is the act upon... ♪ 984 00:38:35,414 --> 00:38:37,480 ♪ And so we're crackin' the pod ♪ 985 00:38:37,482 --> 00:38:40,650 ♪ This party's gonna go till like half past 7:00 ♪ 986 00:38:40,652 --> 00:38:43,953 ♪ I swear to...God, I died and went to heaven ♪ 987 00:38:43,955 --> 00:38:45,622 ♪ It's The Roots ♪ 988 00:38:45,624 --> 00:38:48,325 -Give it up, ladies and gentlemen 989 00:38:48,327 --> 00:38:50,593 for "L" double "M"! 990 00:38:50,595 --> 00:38:53,263 -I've been a fan of The Roots as long as The Roots have existed. 991 00:38:53,265 --> 00:38:55,165 Maybe the most nerve-racking performance 992 00:38:55,167 --> 00:38:56,833 I've ever done was when I knew 993 00:38:56,835 --> 00:38:59,736 Ahmir and Tarik were in the audience. 994 00:38:59,738 --> 00:39:02,739 -What immediately drew me in to "Hamilton" 995 00:39:02,741 --> 00:39:04,808 was this was someone 996 00:39:04,810 --> 00:39:07,077 who, you know, was an emcee in his own right. 997 00:39:07,079 --> 00:39:10,146 Sometimes in hip-hop, we say, "Real recognize real." 998 00:39:10,148 --> 00:39:13,283 So, I could recognize immediately that Lin 999 00:39:13,285 --> 00:39:15,919 was a real one and that this was a real story. 1000 00:39:15,921 --> 00:39:20,190 -There's double and triple meanings and layers upon layers. 1001 00:39:20,192 --> 00:39:23,626 I mean, I've had to see "Hamilton" eight or nine times 1002 00:39:23,628 --> 00:39:25,628 to get references that I didn't get 1003 00:39:25,630 --> 00:39:28,365 the first eight times that I saw it. 1004 00:39:28,367 --> 00:39:30,367 -What Lin was able to do is create different styles 1005 00:39:30,369 --> 00:39:31,634 for each character. 1006 00:39:31,636 --> 00:39:33,636 So, George Washington raps 1007 00:39:33,638 --> 00:39:35,705 in this very sort of metronomic way 1008 00:39:35,707 --> 00:39:37,640 because that is similar to how he thinks. 1009 00:39:37,642 --> 00:39:40,844 It's all right on beat. 1010 00:39:40,846 --> 00:39:43,079 You know, Lafayette has to figure it out. 1011 00:39:43,081 --> 00:39:46,850 Lafayette is -- is rapping in a real, like, simple, 1012 00:39:46,852 --> 00:39:48,885 sort of like early-'80s rap cadence at first 1013 00:39:48,887 --> 00:39:50,587 and then, by the end, is doing these crazy 1014 00:39:50,589 --> 00:39:53,156 double- and triple-time things. -♪ Lafayette ♪ 1015 00:39:53,158 --> 00:39:54,391 -♪ I'm takin' this horse by the reins ♪ 1016 00:39:54,393 --> 00:39:55,825 ♪ Makin' Redcoats redder with bloodstains ♪ 1017 00:39:55,827 --> 00:39:56,993 -♪ Lafayette ♪ -♪ And I'm never gonna stop ♪ 1018 00:39:56,995 --> 00:39:58,128 ♪ Until I make 'em drop and burn 'em up ♪ 1019 00:39:58,130 --> 00:39:59,262 ♪ And scatter their remains, I'm ♪ 1020 00:39:59,264 --> 00:40:00,630 -♪ Lafayette ♪ 1021 00:40:00,632 --> 00:40:02,198 -♪ Watch me engagin' em, escapin' em, enragin' em ♪ 1022 00:40:02,200 --> 00:40:03,266 ♪ I'm ♪ -♪ Lafayette ♪ 1023 00:40:03,268 --> 00:40:04,734 -♪ I go to France for more funds ♪ 1024 00:40:04,736 --> 00:40:06,035 -♪ Lafayette ♪ -♪ I come back with more guns ♪ 1025 00:40:06,037 --> 00:40:09,105 -In just two to four hip-hop bars, 1026 00:40:09,107 --> 00:40:10,540 you know, sometimes there are more lyrics 1027 00:40:10,542 --> 00:40:13,843 than a whole, you know, classical song. 1028 00:40:13,845 --> 00:40:16,312 -[ Beatboxing ] 1029 00:40:16,314 --> 00:40:18,448 [ Light laughter ] 1030 00:40:18,450 --> 00:40:20,183 -♪ That's the crunchiest sound ♪ 1031 00:40:20,185 --> 00:40:21,818 ♪ You'll ever hear on the beatbox ♪ 1032 00:40:21,820 --> 00:40:23,853 ♪ And both those lips are in detox ♪ 1033 00:40:23,855 --> 00:40:25,789 ♪ Yeah, slappin' the bass right now ♪ 1034 00:40:25,791 --> 00:40:28,158 ♪ Freestylin' up in your face right now ♪ 1035 00:40:28,160 --> 00:40:30,126 ♪ Oh, yeah, because I'm gaspin', son ♪ 1036 00:40:30,128 --> 00:40:32,495 ♪ Because I'm right next to the ass of Jasperson ♪ 1037 00:40:32,497 --> 00:40:33,897 [ Laughter ] 1038 00:40:33,899 --> 00:40:35,665 I grew up in the '90s, 1039 00:40:35,667 --> 00:40:37,867 and I think that's a golden age for hip-hop. 1040 00:40:37,869 --> 00:40:41,371 The lyrical dexterity of artists like Mobb Deep and Biggie 1041 00:40:41,373 --> 00:40:44,140 and Nas was just incredible. 1042 00:40:44,142 --> 00:40:47,043 When I was writing "Hamilton," I listened to "Takeover" 1043 00:40:47,045 --> 00:40:49,446 and "Ether" on a loop, on a loop, on a loop. 1044 00:40:49,448 --> 00:40:51,714 -Word. -Hip-hop storytelling -- 1045 00:40:51,716 --> 00:40:53,149 like, where do you start? 1046 00:40:53,151 --> 00:40:54,918 Do you start with the story? Do you do start with a lyric? 1047 00:40:54,920 --> 00:40:57,687 Does it sort of unlock something else? 1048 00:40:57,689 --> 00:41:00,623 -Really, I saw, like, a hole in the rap game. 1049 00:41:00,625 --> 00:41:03,226 You know, all the rappers I looked up to were mega stars. 1050 00:41:03,228 --> 00:41:04,928 And so if I wanted 1051 00:41:04,930 --> 00:41:07,130 to put my little two cents in the rap game, 1052 00:41:07,132 --> 00:41:09,499 then it would be from a different perspective. 1053 00:41:09,501 --> 00:41:12,168 I thought that I would represent for my neighborhood... 1054 00:41:12,170 --> 00:41:14,237 -Yeah. -...and tell their story, 1055 00:41:14,239 --> 00:41:17,173 be their voice in a way that nobody has done it. 1056 00:41:17,175 --> 00:41:20,243 -And I love the idea of telling the stories 1057 00:41:20,245 --> 00:41:22,345 that you haven't heard told before 1058 00:41:22,347 --> 00:41:24,080 and suddenly making that fair game, 1059 00:41:24,082 --> 00:41:26,382 because I think that's such an important part 1060 00:41:26,384 --> 00:41:28,918 of expanding sort of the real estate 1061 00:41:28,920 --> 00:41:30,620 that hip-hop can cover. -Yeah. 1062 00:41:30,622 --> 00:41:32,922 You know, when it was my time, it was like, 1063 00:41:32,924 --> 00:41:35,225 the phrase "keep it real" became the thing. 1064 00:41:35,227 --> 00:41:36,326 -Right. -So, it was like, 1065 00:41:36,328 --> 00:41:37,627 "Tell the real story." 1066 00:41:37,629 --> 00:41:40,663 These things are my thoughts, and let me express them. 1067 00:41:40,665 --> 00:41:41,931 It gives you freedom. 1068 00:41:41,933 --> 00:41:44,367 In hip-hop, no one can tell you you're wrong 1069 00:41:44,369 --> 00:41:45,768 unless the rhymes are wack, but -- 1070 00:41:45,770 --> 00:41:47,537 [ Both laugh ] 1071 00:41:47,539 --> 00:41:50,440 But no one can tell you you're wrong because it's your truth. 1072 00:41:50,442 --> 00:41:52,342 -Yeah. -The hip-hop in the musical 1073 00:41:52,344 --> 00:41:53,576 has gotten the most attention 1074 00:41:53,578 --> 00:41:55,144 'cause it's the most novel 1075 00:41:55,146 --> 00:41:57,914 and because Hamilton sings in hip-hop, 1076 00:41:57,916 --> 00:42:00,116 but there's jazz, soul, R&B, 1077 00:42:00,118 --> 00:42:03,286 and just plain Broadway show tunes, as well. 1078 00:42:03,288 --> 00:42:05,321 -♪ Hamilton doesn't hesitate ♪ 1079 00:42:05,323 --> 00:42:07,423 ♪ He exhibits no restraint ♪ 1080 00:42:07,425 --> 00:42:10,660 ♪ He takes and he takes and he takes ♪ 1081 00:42:10,662 --> 00:42:13,329 ♪ And he keeps winning anyway ♪ 1082 00:42:13,331 --> 00:42:16,699 ♪ Changes the game, plays, and he raises the stakes ♪ 1083 00:42:16,701 --> 00:42:19,536 ♪ And if there's a reason he seems to thrive ♪ 1084 00:42:19,538 --> 00:42:20,904 ♪ when so few survive ♪ 1085 00:42:20,906 --> 00:42:22,705 ♪ Then God damn it, I'm willing to wait for it ♪ 1086 00:42:22,707 --> 00:42:23,973 -♪ Wait for it ♪ 1087 00:42:23,975 --> 00:42:25,942 -♪ I'm willing to wait for it ♪ 1088 00:42:25,944 --> 00:42:30,280 -"Wait For It" speaks to Burr and how he sees the world -- 1089 00:42:30,282 --> 00:42:32,749 a world in which he's seeing contemporaries 1090 00:42:32,751 --> 00:42:35,385 who started further back than him lapping him. 1091 00:42:35,387 --> 00:42:40,023 -This is a man who lost his entire family, really, 1092 00:42:40,025 --> 00:42:42,759 and then lost even extended family. 1093 00:42:42,761 --> 00:42:45,595 I mean, he had one sister. He even lost her. 1094 00:42:45,597 --> 00:42:48,831 -If Hamilton's response to loss is to go as fast as he can, 1095 00:42:48,833 --> 00:42:51,467 Burr's response to loss is, 1096 00:42:51,469 --> 00:42:54,771 "I'm not gonna do anything until I know it's the right move. 1097 00:42:54,773 --> 00:42:58,074 I'm alive. Other people I love are dead. 1098 00:42:58,076 --> 00:42:59,609 There's a reason for that." 1099 00:42:59,611 --> 00:43:01,711 -♪ Life doesn't discriminate ♪ 1100 00:43:01,713 --> 00:43:03,212 ♪ Between the sinners and the saints ♪ 1101 00:43:03,214 --> 00:43:05,014 -♪ It takes and it takes and it takes ♪ 1102 00:43:05,016 --> 00:43:07,083 -♪ It takes ♪ -♪ And we keep living anyway ♪ 1103 00:43:07,085 --> 00:43:08,318 -♪ We rise ♪ -♪ We rise ♪ 1104 00:43:08,320 --> 00:43:09,719 ♪ And we fall and we break ♪ 1105 00:43:09,721 --> 00:43:11,988 -♪ And we fall ♪ -♪ And we make our mistakes ♪ 1106 00:43:11,990 --> 00:43:13,289 -♪ And if there's a reason I'm still alive ♪ 1107 00:43:13,291 --> 00:43:15,925 ♪ When so many have died, then I'm willing' to ♪ 1108 00:43:15,927 --> 00:43:18,494 [ Instrumental music plays ] 1109 00:43:18,496 --> 00:43:20,630 ♪ Wait for it ♪ -♪ Wait for it ♪ 1110 00:43:20,632 --> 00:43:23,633 -After the war, Hamilton and Burr qualify 1111 00:43:23,635 --> 00:43:26,502 to be lawyers at almost exactly the same time. 1112 00:43:26,504 --> 00:43:30,373 They then move to opposite ends of Wall Street, 1113 00:43:30,375 --> 00:43:33,543 and they are the two rising young men 1114 00:43:33,545 --> 00:43:36,145 in the New York legal establishment. 1115 00:43:36,147 --> 00:43:38,014 And it was Alexander Hamilton 1116 00:43:38,016 --> 00:43:39,749 who personally issued the call 1117 00:43:39,751 --> 00:43:42,352 for a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia 1118 00:43:42,354 --> 00:43:44,787 in May 1787 1119 00:43:44,789 --> 00:43:46,589 and gave a six-hour speech 1120 00:43:46,591 --> 00:43:48,791 in which he proposed his own form of government, 1121 00:43:48,793 --> 00:43:51,694 in which he says that there would be a president 1122 00:43:51,696 --> 00:43:54,364 who would serve for life on good behavior. 1123 00:43:54,366 --> 00:43:56,466 -For Hamilton to stand up and say, 1124 00:43:56,468 --> 00:43:57,867 "Hey, let's get this guy in 1125 00:43:57,869 --> 00:43:59,869 and sort of make him look pseudo-king-like," 1126 00:43:59,871 --> 00:44:01,704 you know, having just finished the Revolution -- 1127 00:44:01,706 --> 00:44:03,940 that was really controversial. 1128 00:44:03,942 --> 00:44:06,409 It's really after the Constitutional Convention 1129 00:44:06,411 --> 00:44:10,380 that Hamilton has his major impact on this debate, 1130 00:44:10,382 --> 00:44:11,614 and that is with what becomes known 1131 00:44:11,616 --> 00:44:13,116 as "The Federalist Essays." 1132 00:44:13,118 --> 00:44:15,652 It's going to confront people's biggest fears 1133 00:44:15,654 --> 00:44:17,120 about this new Constitution. 1134 00:44:17,122 --> 00:44:19,956 It's a commercial advertisement for the Constitution. 1135 00:44:19,958 --> 00:44:21,824 -I've read "The Federalist Papers" many times over. 1136 00:44:21,826 --> 00:44:25,495 As an elected official, as a person who takes office, 1137 00:44:25,497 --> 00:44:28,297 by swearing oath to the Constitution, 1138 00:44:28,299 --> 00:44:30,600 I pretty much want to know what that means, right? 1139 00:44:30,602 --> 00:44:32,402 And so it's important not only to understand 1140 00:44:32,404 --> 00:44:33,870 what the Constitution is, 1141 00:44:33,872 --> 00:44:36,773 but to understand what the principles are behind it. 1142 00:44:36,775 --> 00:44:38,574 And that's why you look at "Hamilton." 1143 00:44:38,576 --> 00:44:40,143 That's why you look at "The Federalist Papers." 1144 00:44:40,145 --> 00:44:42,845 That is the cornerstone of this beautiful idea 1145 00:44:42,847 --> 00:44:44,580 we call the American experiment. 1146 00:44:46,618 --> 00:44:48,584 -Here we are, back at the scene. 1147 00:44:48,586 --> 00:44:52,388 -It's been a long way since 2009. 1148 00:44:52,390 --> 00:44:53,890 -Yeah, it's nuts. 1149 00:44:53,892 --> 00:44:56,859 The First Lady tweeted last week, "Alexander Hamilton, 1150 00:44:56,861 --> 00:44:58,995 we are waiting in the East Wing for you." 1151 00:44:58,997 --> 00:45:00,496 -It's incredible. It's incredible. 1152 00:45:00,498 --> 00:45:01,764 -It's crazy. 1153 00:45:01,766 --> 00:45:04,100 It's very weird to have FLOTUS quote your lyrics. 1154 00:45:04,102 --> 00:45:05,134 [ Cheers and applause ] 1155 00:45:05,136 --> 00:45:06,436 -Are you all excited? -Yes! 1156 00:45:06,438 --> 00:45:10,773 -I am -- I'm so excited! 1157 00:45:10,775 --> 00:45:12,508 Well, let me start by thanking 1158 00:45:12,510 --> 00:45:16,679 the extraordinary performers from "Hamilton." 1159 00:45:16,681 --> 00:45:20,783 [ Cheers and applause ] 1160 00:45:20,785 --> 00:45:23,753 I saw the Off-Broadway version of "Hamilton," 1161 00:45:23,755 --> 00:45:25,955 and it was simply, as I tell everybody, 1162 00:45:25,957 --> 00:45:28,758 the best piece of art in any form 1163 00:45:28,760 --> 00:45:31,094 that I have ever seen in my life. 1164 00:45:31,096 --> 00:45:33,362 So, thank you for taking the time out 1165 00:45:33,364 --> 00:45:35,498 to spend an entire day here 1166 00:45:35,500 --> 00:45:38,634 and to bless us with another performance. 1167 00:45:38,636 --> 00:45:41,838 Today they've come here to spend the day with all of you. 1168 00:45:41,840 --> 00:45:44,807 I want you to take advantage of this time. 1169 00:45:44,809 --> 00:45:47,844 -I'm not a really bright student in the history department. 1170 00:45:47,846 --> 00:45:50,313 I've learned so much from this musical 1171 00:45:50,315 --> 00:45:52,882 that I wouldn't have normally learned in a history class. 1172 00:45:52,884 --> 00:45:55,518 And for you guys to convey history 1173 00:45:55,520 --> 00:45:56,986 in the manner that you did -- 1174 00:45:56,988 --> 00:46:00,790 was that your initial goal, to inspire kids like me? 1175 00:46:00,792 --> 00:46:03,292 -In my high school, we didn't have a theater program. 1176 00:46:03,294 --> 00:46:04,994 History was my drama program. 1177 00:46:04,996 --> 00:46:07,163 I saw each and every moment in history 1178 00:46:07,165 --> 00:46:08,564 as the most dramatic moment ever, 1179 00:46:08,566 --> 00:46:11,100 which it was to the people who were taking part in it. 1180 00:46:11,102 --> 00:46:13,970 You might just take a second and look at from the perspective 1181 00:46:13,972 --> 00:46:15,371 of, "Who's the protagonist? 1182 00:46:15,373 --> 00:46:17,140 Who's the antagonist? What's at stake?" 1183 00:46:17,142 --> 00:46:20,009 You might find a world there to unlock. 1184 00:46:20,011 --> 00:46:22,545 [ Orchestra tuning ] 1185 00:46:22,547 --> 00:46:25,081 -Here we are, performing not just the opening number, 1186 00:46:25,083 --> 00:46:27,917 but an hour worth of material 1187 00:46:27,919 --> 00:46:30,386 with our full company and our full band. 1188 00:46:30,388 --> 00:46:32,421 It feels like this sort of homecoming, 1189 00:46:32,423 --> 00:46:35,424 a full-circle closing. 1190 00:46:35,426 --> 00:46:36,759 -Hey, man. -Mr. President. 1191 00:46:36,761 --> 00:46:37,794 -Good to see you. 1192 00:46:37,796 --> 00:46:39,028 -Thank you for making time for us. 1193 00:46:39,030 --> 00:46:40,463 -Absolutely. This is so much fun. 1194 00:46:40,465 --> 00:46:43,299 -The first time you had me here was in 2009. 1195 00:46:43,301 --> 00:46:44,700 -Right. 1196 00:46:44,702 --> 00:46:46,035 -I was just supposed to sing something from "In the Heights." 1197 00:46:46,037 --> 00:46:47,737 I sang "Hamilton" instead. 1198 00:46:47,739 --> 00:46:49,138 -When you told us, 1199 00:46:49,140 --> 00:46:51,607 "Well, I'm gonna do a rap about Alexander Hamilton," 1200 00:46:51,609 --> 00:46:53,876 we said, "Well, good luck with that," right? 1201 00:46:53,878 --> 00:46:56,279 -[ Laughs ] Yeah. That's the typical reaction. 1202 00:46:56,281 --> 00:46:59,682 -And after the performance, I think all of us understood 1203 00:46:59,684 --> 00:47:02,418 not only how much potential it had, 1204 00:47:02,420 --> 00:47:06,055 but what it did was capture the fact that, you know, 1205 00:47:06,057 --> 00:47:09,225 the founding fathers were, to some degree, 1206 00:47:09,227 --> 00:47:10,827 flying by the seats of their pants... 1207 00:47:10,829 --> 00:47:12,195 -Absolutely. -...and making it up 1208 00:47:12,197 --> 00:47:13,763 as they went along. -Yeah. 1209 00:47:13,765 --> 00:47:15,865 -And the fact that the experiment worked 1210 00:47:15,867 --> 00:47:18,501 was a testimony to their genius. 1211 00:47:18,503 --> 00:47:20,469 And you can draw a direct connection 1212 00:47:20,471 --> 00:47:22,872 between what the founders were doing 1213 00:47:22,874 --> 00:47:26,209 and what we do today. -Yeah. 1214 00:47:26,211 --> 00:47:31,047 -Even today, we really do follow the model of the executive 1215 00:47:31,049 --> 00:47:33,249 from what Washington established, 1216 00:47:33,251 --> 00:47:35,184 you know, so many years ago -- 1217 00:47:35,186 --> 00:47:38,354 the two-term presidency, establishing a Cabinet, 1218 00:47:38,356 --> 00:47:39,889 Washington sitting at the head. 1219 00:47:39,891 --> 00:47:42,358 Allowing for everyone to have their own influence 1220 00:47:42,360 --> 00:47:46,262 in policy is -- is pretty significant. 1221 00:47:46,264 --> 00:47:48,264 -He's got kind of a very small Cabinet, 1222 00:47:48,266 --> 00:47:50,600 and it'll turn out to be Alexander Hamilton 1223 00:47:50,602 --> 00:47:51,834 as secretary of treasury, 1224 00:47:51,836 --> 00:47:53,636 Henry Knox as secretary of war, 1225 00:47:53,638 --> 00:47:56,272 Edmund Randolph as the first attorney general, 1226 00:47:56,274 --> 00:47:59,642 and then Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state. 1227 00:47:59,644 --> 00:48:01,944 -I think of Jefferson as Bugs Bunny, man. 1228 00:48:01,946 --> 00:48:05,648 You know, I think of him as this indefatigable winner, 1229 00:48:05,650 --> 00:48:08,217 who kind of comes in with incredible confidence, 1230 00:48:08,219 --> 00:48:09,685 gets home. 1231 00:48:09,687 --> 00:48:11,687 He's already secretary of state. 1232 00:48:11,689 --> 00:48:14,690 And he's like, "All right, well, let's go." 1233 00:48:14,692 --> 00:48:17,793 -♪ France is following us to revolution ♪ 1234 00:48:17,795 --> 00:48:20,763 ♪ There is no more status quo ♪ 1235 00:48:20,765 --> 00:48:23,933 ♪ But the sun comes up and the world still spins ♪ 1236 00:48:23,935 --> 00:48:25,134 -♪ Ah-ooo ♪ 1237 00:48:25,136 --> 00:48:27,036 -Thomas Jefferson has a lot to catch up on. 1238 00:48:27,038 --> 00:48:29,906 So, when we meet Jefferson, he's still singing jazz songs, 1239 00:48:29,908 --> 00:48:31,140 and the rest of the United States 1240 00:48:31,142 --> 00:48:32,408 has moved on to rap music. 1241 00:48:32,410 --> 00:48:34,210 And he doesn't -- he doesn't know that. 1242 00:48:34,212 --> 00:48:35,611 [ Chuckling ] Nobody told him. 1243 00:48:35,613 --> 00:48:36,913 [ Piano plays jazz ] 1244 00:48:36,915 --> 00:48:39,482 -♪ So, what did I miss? ♪ 1245 00:48:39,484 --> 00:48:42,585 ♪ What did I miss, huh? ♪ 1246 00:48:42,587 --> 00:48:45,755 ♪ Virginia, my home sweet home, I wanna give you a kiss ♪ 1247 00:48:45,757 --> 00:48:47,490 ♪ Mwah ♪ 1248 00:48:47,492 --> 00:48:50,126 ♪ I've been in Paris meeting lots of different ladies ♪ 1249 00:48:50,128 --> 00:48:52,728 ♪ I guess I basically missed the late '80s ♪ 1250 00:48:52,730 --> 00:48:57,400 ♪ I traveled the wide, wide world and came back to this ♪ 1251 00:48:57,402 --> 00:49:00,069 He misses the whole war in France 1252 00:49:00,071 --> 00:49:02,638 and comes back and is made secretary of state. 1253 00:49:02,640 --> 00:49:04,140 -He was the perfect person to do this, 1254 00:49:04,142 --> 00:49:06,008 having come back from this diplomatic mission. 1255 00:49:06,010 --> 00:49:09,045 So, it was his job to try to represent the United States 1256 00:49:09,047 --> 00:49:11,647 and to let Washington know about what he knew. 1257 00:49:11,649 --> 00:49:15,785 -♪ Mr. Jefferson, welcome home, sir ♪ 1258 00:49:15,787 --> 00:49:21,791 ♪ You've been off in Paris for so long ♪ 1259 00:49:21,793 --> 00:49:25,361 -♪ So, what did I miss? ♪ 1260 00:49:25,363 --> 00:49:27,430 -In Jefferson's absence, 1261 00:49:27,432 --> 00:49:30,499 Alexander Hamilton has soared from obscurity 1262 00:49:30,501 --> 00:49:33,002 to one of the top posts in government. 1263 00:49:33,004 --> 00:49:36,472 -Alexander Hamilton, as treasury secretary, 1264 00:49:36,474 --> 00:49:39,809 was deputy president in many ways. 1265 00:49:39,811 --> 00:49:41,911 -Hamilton has to create much of the federal government 1266 00:49:41,913 --> 00:49:44,680 from scratch -- first budget systems, 1267 00:49:44,682 --> 00:49:47,183 first tax systems, first customs service, 1268 00:49:47,185 --> 00:49:50,052 first Coast Guard, first monetary policy, 1269 00:49:50,054 --> 00:49:51,454 first central bank, 1270 00:49:51,456 --> 00:49:53,856 which was the direct forerunner of the Federal Reserve. 1271 00:49:53,858 --> 00:49:58,728 -Hamilton had the core idea about an aggressive role 1272 00:49:58,730 --> 00:50:02,898 for government to help build an economy. 1273 00:50:02,900 --> 00:50:05,334 -Hamilton created financial instruments 1274 00:50:05,336 --> 00:50:07,770 that enabled people to trade 1275 00:50:07,772 --> 00:50:10,706 and, therefore, facilitate the movement of capital. 1276 00:50:10,708 --> 00:50:11,974 [ Bell clanging ] 1277 00:50:11,976 --> 00:50:14,110 -While Hamilton was treasury secretary, 1278 00:50:14,112 --> 00:50:17,146 there were only five securities traded on Wall Street. 1279 00:50:17,148 --> 00:50:18,981 Three of them were treasury securities 1280 00:50:18,983 --> 00:50:20,649 created by Alexander Hamilton. 1281 00:50:20,651 --> 00:50:22,985 The fourth was the stock of the Bank of New York, 1282 00:50:22,987 --> 00:50:24,587 created by Alexander Hamilton. 1283 00:50:24,589 --> 00:50:27,156 The fifth was the stock of our first central bank 1284 00:50:27,158 --> 00:50:30,659 created by -- you know who -- Alexander Hamilton. 1285 00:50:30,661 --> 00:50:33,029 -I look at Alexander Hamilton 1286 00:50:33,031 --> 00:50:36,432 as the patron saint of Wall Street. 1287 00:50:36,434 --> 00:50:38,667 -We're on the floor. This is -- -Yeah, it was -- 1288 00:50:38,669 --> 00:50:40,102 -We're living in Hamilton's world here. 1289 00:50:40,104 --> 00:50:41,537 -It's true. 1290 00:50:41,539 --> 00:50:43,906 And, you know, as I was coming down to meet you this morning... 1291 00:50:43,908 --> 00:50:45,107 -Uh-huh. -...I got the chills. 1292 00:50:45,109 --> 00:50:47,443 When you're actually here and you just visualize 1293 00:50:47,445 --> 00:50:49,345 what was taking place 200 years ago, 1294 00:50:49,347 --> 00:50:50,980 it's quite extraordinary. 1295 00:50:50,982 --> 00:50:55,518 -The problem was, Hamilton was the ultimate elitist. 1296 00:50:55,520 --> 00:50:57,887 He came from a very humble background, 1297 00:50:57,889 --> 00:51:01,424 but he built an institution 1298 00:51:01,426 --> 00:51:04,060 that concentrated wealth. 1299 00:51:04,062 --> 00:51:05,561 -If you've lived through a period 1300 00:51:05,563 --> 00:51:06,962 where the financial system 1301 00:51:06,964 --> 00:51:09,031 has caused a lot of damage to the economy, 1302 00:51:09,033 --> 00:51:10,499 there's this fear -- 1303 00:51:10,501 --> 00:51:13,869 fear over concentrated power and wealth 1304 00:51:13,871 --> 00:51:16,372 and fear of the unfairness that might bring. 1305 00:51:16,374 --> 00:51:19,542 And Hamilton's defining strength was to try to figure out 1306 00:51:19,544 --> 00:51:21,944 what was the pragmatic solution 1307 00:51:21,946 --> 00:51:24,980 in the interest of the most people. 1308 00:51:24,982 --> 00:51:28,717 -What happens here has a direct impact on all of our lives. 1309 00:51:28,719 --> 00:51:30,386 We're all connected. 1310 00:51:30,388 --> 00:51:32,755 And the fact is, is if you want that bridge 1311 00:51:32,757 --> 00:51:34,423 built around the block 1312 00:51:34,425 --> 00:51:36,559 from that school in your neighborhood, 1313 00:51:36,561 --> 00:51:37,993 you've got to raise money to do it. 1314 00:51:37,995 --> 00:51:41,097 More often than not, it's gonna be raised right here. 1315 00:51:41,099 --> 00:51:44,400 -Hamilton is picturing this robust, 1316 00:51:44,402 --> 00:51:47,670 strong central government that is the engine of finance 1317 00:51:47,672 --> 00:51:48,971 and engine of democracy 1318 00:51:48,973 --> 00:51:50,406 and unites our states. 1319 00:51:50,408 --> 00:51:53,976 Jefferson is picturing this agrarian paradise, 1320 00:51:53,978 --> 00:51:57,680 where farmers are left alone and do their thing. 1321 00:51:57,682 --> 00:51:59,682 -One could say that Jefferson was -- 1322 00:51:59,684 --> 00:52:02,518 could represent the populist interests at the time, 1323 00:52:02,520 --> 00:52:04,220 the small farmer, 1324 00:52:04,222 --> 00:52:06,422 the people living out in the country. 1325 00:52:06,424 --> 00:52:09,992 But were they forecasting a philosophical divide 1326 00:52:09,994 --> 00:52:11,594 that runs through our political system? 1327 00:52:11,596 --> 00:52:12,995 Absolutely. 1328 00:52:12,997 --> 00:52:14,463 -It becomes really clear -- 1329 00:52:14,465 --> 00:52:18,267 and Washington realizes this finally in 1792 -- 1330 00:52:18,269 --> 00:52:19,969 things are not going so well 1331 00:52:19,971 --> 00:52:22,071 between the two members of his Cabinet. 1332 00:52:24,909 --> 00:52:26,709 -So, we're in the mansion's dining room, 1333 00:52:26,711 --> 00:52:30,513 and it's set for the 1790 dinner party 1334 00:52:30,515 --> 00:52:31,847 of George Washington and his Cabinet. 1335 00:52:31,849 --> 00:52:34,316 -It's set for that now? -It is set for that. 1336 00:52:34,318 --> 00:52:37,586 If they walked in right now, they would be ready. 1337 00:52:37,588 --> 00:52:40,956 -A lot of people don't know that the fight over the debt plan 1338 00:52:40,958 --> 00:52:42,658 and establishing a national bank... 1339 00:52:42,660 --> 00:52:44,727 -Mm-hmm. -... happened here. 1340 00:52:44,729 --> 00:52:46,462 -♪ The issue on the table ♪ 1341 00:52:46,464 --> 00:52:49,532 ♪ Secretary Hamilton's plan to assume state debt ♪ 1342 00:52:49,534 --> 00:52:51,467 ♪ And establish a national bank ♪ 1343 00:52:51,469 --> 00:52:55,204 ♪ Uh, Secretary Jefferson, you have the floor, sir ♪ 1344 00:52:55,206 --> 00:52:57,840 -The states had borrowed heavily from the French, 1345 00:52:57,842 --> 00:53:01,043 from the Spanish, from domestic lenders 1346 00:53:01,045 --> 00:53:02,578 to fund the cost of the war, 1347 00:53:02,580 --> 00:53:05,281 and there were these big debts. 1348 00:53:05,283 --> 00:53:07,917 -There was $50 million in outstanding federal debt, 1349 00:53:07,919 --> 00:53:10,352 $25 million in state debt, 1350 00:53:10,354 --> 00:53:12,388 and Hamilton wanted the federal government 1351 00:53:12,390 --> 00:53:15,291 to assume the responsibility for the state debt. 1352 00:53:15,293 --> 00:53:16,792 -♪ Oww ♪ 1353 00:53:16,794 --> 00:53:18,527 -♪ But Hamilton forgets, his plan would have ♪ 1354 00:53:18,529 --> 00:53:20,496 ♪ The government assume states' debts ♪ 1355 00:53:20,498 --> 00:53:23,332 ♪ Now, place your bets as to who that benefits ♪ 1356 00:53:23,334 --> 00:53:25,634 ♪ The very seat of government where Hamilton sits ♪ 1357 00:53:25,636 --> 00:53:27,203 -♪ Not true ♪ -♪ Ew ♪ 1358 00:53:27,205 --> 00:53:28,771 ♪ If the shoe fits, wear it ♪ 1359 00:53:28,773 --> 00:53:32,007 ♪ If New York's in debt, why should Virginia bear it? ♪ 1360 00:53:32,009 --> 00:53:34,076 ♪ Uh, our debts are paid, I'm afraid ♪ 1361 00:53:34,078 --> 00:53:36,912 ♪ Don't tax the South 'cause we got it made in the shade ♪ 1362 00:53:36,914 --> 00:53:39,448 -Jefferson's position is, 1363 00:53:39,450 --> 00:53:42,017 "The Southern states have ways of making income. 1364 00:53:42,019 --> 00:53:45,087 It doesn't make sense for us to bail you guys out." 1365 00:53:45,089 --> 00:53:46,322 Hamilton's point being that, 1366 00:53:46,324 --> 00:53:47,890 "Well, a lot of the reason you're okay is 1367 00:53:47,892 --> 00:53:50,025 because you don't pay for labor where you are, 1368 00:53:50,027 --> 00:53:52,962 and you've got slaves working your farms." 1369 00:53:52,964 --> 00:53:55,931 -Hamilton insisted, as a matter of national honor 1370 00:53:55,933 --> 00:53:59,368 and to establish America's, you know, future greatness, 1371 00:53:59,370 --> 00:54:03,038 that it was imperative to pay off that debt in full. 1372 00:54:03,040 --> 00:54:05,441 -♪ If you assume the debts, the union gets ♪ 1373 00:54:05,443 --> 00:54:07,876 ♪ A new line of credit, a financial diuretic ♪ 1374 00:54:07,878 --> 00:54:09,044 ♪ How do you not get it? ♪ 1375 00:54:09,046 --> 00:54:10,846 ♪ If we're aggressive and competitive ♪ 1376 00:54:10,848 --> 00:54:12,214 ♪ The union gets a boost ♪ 1377 00:54:12,216 --> 00:54:14,416 ♪ You'd rather give it a sedative? ♪ 1378 00:54:14,418 --> 00:54:16,418 -The fights between Jefferson and Hamilton 1379 00:54:16,420 --> 00:54:18,420 that they had across this table are -- 1380 00:54:18,422 --> 00:54:19,888 are the fights we're still having. 1381 00:54:19,890 --> 00:54:21,423 -Yes. Well, I can't imagine 1382 00:54:21,425 --> 00:54:23,892 what dinner around that table would have been like that night. 1383 00:54:23,894 --> 00:54:26,295 Washington, I'm sure, is sitting there stone-faced, 1384 00:54:26,297 --> 00:54:28,864 trying to placate everyone at the same time. 1385 00:54:28,866 --> 00:54:30,432 -♪ Hey, turn around, bend over ♪ 1386 00:54:30,434 --> 00:54:31,934 ♪ I'll show you where my shoe fits ♪ 1387 00:54:31,936 --> 00:54:34,336 -Alexander! -♪ I'm... ♪ 1388 00:54:34,338 --> 00:54:36,772 -♪ Madison, Jefferson, take a walk ♪ 1389 00:54:36,774 --> 00:54:38,207 ♪ Hamilton, take a walk ♪ 1390 00:54:38,209 --> 00:54:41,043 -Hip-hop is the way for young men 1391 00:54:41,045 --> 00:54:42,511 and young people to still -- 1392 00:54:42,513 --> 00:54:44,680 -Test each other. -Yeah, to test each other 1393 00:54:44,682 --> 00:54:46,248 without anyone being hurt, 1394 00:54:46,250 --> 00:54:48,317 and everyone, you know, can go back home 1395 00:54:48,319 --> 00:54:49,685 at the end of the day. 1396 00:54:49,687 --> 00:54:52,354 -But the stakes are not, "Who's the best rapper?" 1397 00:54:52,356 --> 00:54:53,689 The stakes are, 1398 00:54:53,691 --> 00:54:55,991 "What direction are we going to go in as a country?" 1399 00:54:55,993 --> 00:54:59,194 Every rap battle sets the historical precedent. 1400 00:54:59,196 --> 00:55:02,965 That is the highest stakes you could have for a rap battle, 1401 00:55:02,967 --> 00:55:04,600 higher, even, than "8 Mile." 1402 00:55:07,271 --> 00:55:09,438 Something that really sort of spoke to me 1403 00:55:09,440 --> 00:55:11,307 when I was, you know, reading this story 1404 00:55:11,309 --> 00:55:12,775 and beginning to research and write it 1405 00:55:12,777 --> 00:55:15,978 is that moment when we trade away the capital 1406 00:55:15,980 --> 00:55:17,212 in exchange for the debt plan. -Right, right. 1407 00:55:17,214 --> 00:55:18,714 -And we call it "The Room Where it Happens." 1408 00:55:18,716 --> 00:55:19,948 -Right. 1409 00:55:19,950 --> 00:55:22,151 -And what have you learned being in that room? 1410 00:55:22,153 --> 00:55:23,686 I mean, we're in that room. 1411 00:55:23,688 --> 00:55:25,421 We're in the room where the sausage gets made. 1412 00:55:25,423 --> 00:55:28,190 -I'm in most of the rooms. There's no doubt about it. 1413 00:55:28,192 --> 00:55:30,926 And you know, what you learn is 1414 00:55:30,928 --> 00:55:34,863 that everybody who comes to a room to make decisions, 1415 00:55:34,865 --> 00:55:38,834 they're bringing the constraints that have been placed on them 1416 00:55:38,836 --> 00:55:40,469 by their constituencies. -Yeah. 1417 00:55:40,471 --> 00:55:43,872 -And the only way anything gets done 1418 00:55:43,874 --> 00:55:49,044 is if people recognize the truth of the person across the table. 1419 00:55:49,046 --> 00:55:50,679 -♪ Two Virginians and an immigrant ♪ 1420 00:55:50,681 --> 00:55:51,814 ♪ Walk into a room ♪ 1421 00:55:51,816 --> 00:55:54,216 -♪ Diametrically opposed, foes ♪ 1422 00:55:54,218 --> 00:55:57,519 -You have to be able to get in their heads 1423 00:55:57,521 --> 00:56:00,789 and see through their eyes in order for things to happen. 1424 00:56:00,791 --> 00:56:04,660 -"Here's the problem, Mr. President." 1425 00:56:04,662 --> 00:56:07,229 "Okay. How are we gonna solve it?" 1426 00:56:07,231 --> 00:56:09,064 I mean, it's pretty simple. 1427 00:56:09,066 --> 00:56:11,033 -♪ They emerge with a compromise ♪ 1428 00:56:11,035 --> 00:56:13,569 ♪ Having opened doors that were previously closed ♪ 1429 00:56:13,571 --> 00:56:15,037 -♪ Bros ♪ 1430 00:56:15,039 --> 00:56:17,139 -Check this out. 1431 00:56:17,141 --> 00:56:18,907 This is the room where it happened. 1432 00:56:18,909 --> 00:56:21,910 Hamilton says, "You got to help me pass my financial plan." 1433 00:56:21,912 --> 00:56:24,046 Jefferson goes, "Oh, well, okay. Come over for dinner. 1434 00:56:24,048 --> 00:56:26,215 I'll invite Madison. We'll work it out." 1435 00:56:26,217 --> 00:56:27,816 And now it's an office building, 1436 00:56:27,818 --> 00:56:33,389 and this is where the smokers hang out from this building. 1437 00:56:33,391 --> 00:56:34,790 ♪ The room where it happened ♪ 1438 00:56:34,792 --> 00:56:36,191 -♪ The room where it happened ♪ 1439 00:56:36,193 --> 00:56:38,494 -♪ No one else was in the room where it happened ♪ 1440 00:56:38,496 --> 00:56:41,797 ♪ The room where it happened, the room where it happened ♪ 1441 00:56:41,799 --> 00:56:44,566 ♪ No one really knows how the game is played ♪ 1442 00:56:44,568 --> 00:56:47,669 ♪ The art of the trade, how the sausage gets made ♪ 1443 00:56:47,671 --> 00:56:50,439 ♪ We just assume that it happens ♪ 1444 00:56:50,441 --> 00:56:53,275 ♪ But no one else was in the room where it happened ♪ 1445 00:56:53,277 --> 00:56:54,676 -A lot of that debate was not really 1446 00:56:54,678 --> 00:56:57,279 a debate about central banking. 1447 00:56:57,281 --> 00:57:00,215 It was a debate about power. 1448 00:57:00,217 --> 00:57:05,254 -The federal government came in and bailed out the states. 1449 00:57:05,256 --> 00:57:09,625 And so I guess, in that sense, it was the first bailout. 1450 00:57:09,627 --> 00:57:12,127 -♪ Alexander Hamilton ♪ -♪ What did they say to you ♪ 1451 00:57:12,129 --> 00:57:15,130 ♪ To get you to sell New York City down the river? ♪ 1452 00:57:15,132 --> 00:57:16,432 -♪ Alexander Hamilton ♪ 1453 00:57:16,434 --> 00:57:18,500 -♪ Did Washington know about the dinner? ♪ 1454 00:57:18,502 --> 00:57:20,636 ♪ Was there presidential pressure to deliver? ♪ 1455 00:57:20,638 --> 00:57:22,771 -On paper, what looks like a very dry history lesson, 1456 00:57:22,773 --> 00:57:25,441 Hamilton traded away New York as the capital 1457 00:57:25,443 --> 00:57:29,044 in exchange for the passage of his debt plan. 1458 00:57:29,046 --> 00:57:31,346 [ Pretends to snore ] 1459 00:57:31,348 --> 00:57:34,950 Um, but if you tell it from the perspective of Aaron Burr, 1460 00:57:34,952 --> 00:57:39,188 who is watching all these people leapfrog past him into power, 1461 00:57:39,190 --> 00:57:41,323 it's a thrilling dramatic moment, 1462 00:57:41,325 --> 00:57:44,560 and it's also the turning point for Burr 1463 00:57:44,562 --> 00:57:47,429 to stop hanging back on his heels 1464 00:57:47,431 --> 00:57:50,098 and lean forward and say, "I want in on this life." 1465 00:57:50,100 --> 00:57:54,470 -♪ I -- I wanna be in the room where it happens ♪ 1466 00:57:54,472 --> 00:57:56,205 ♪ The room where it happens ♪ 1467 00:57:56,207 --> 00:57:58,740 -He's a super-fan of the arena. 1468 00:57:58,742 --> 00:58:02,244 He's watching Hamilton in there making things happen. 1469 00:58:02,246 --> 00:58:06,815 And this is the moment where he decides, 1470 00:58:06,817 --> 00:58:10,319 "Oh, my God, I got to get in there." 1471 00:58:10,321 --> 00:58:11,687 -♪ I've got to be ♪ 1472 00:58:11,689 --> 00:58:12,721 -♪ In the room where it happens ♪ 1473 00:58:12,723 --> 00:58:14,423 -♪ I've got to be ♪ 1474 00:58:14,425 --> 00:58:16,058 -♪ In the room where it happens ♪ 1475 00:58:16,060 --> 00:58:17,326 -♪ I've got to be ♪ 1476 00:58:17,328 --> 00:58:18,560 -♪ In the room where it happens ♪ 1477 00:58:18,562 --> 00:58:21,029 ♪ I got to be I got to be, I wanna be ♪ 1478 00:58:21,031 --> 00:58:23,532 ♪ In the ro-o-o-o-m ♪ 1479 00:58:23,534 --> 00:58:25,801 -♪ The room where it happens ♪ 1480 00:58:25,803 --> 00:58:27,903 -♪ Click, boom ♪ 1481 00:58:27,905 --> 00:58:29,238 [ Music stops ] 1482 00:58:29,240 --> 00:58:31,607 [ Birds chirping ] 1483 00:58:36,080 --> 00:58:38,747 [ Piano plays mid-tempo music ] 1484 00:58:38,749 --> 00:58:40,782 -It's picturesque in a way 1485 00:58:40,784 --> 00:58:43,352 that words can hardly describe it. 1486 00:58:43,354 --> 00:58:46,755 Every corner of this place has another essence of calm. 1487 00:58:49,026 --> 00:58:52,227 It's beautiful. 1488 00:58:52,229 --> 00:58:55,397 Washington had been serving for 45 years of his life, 1489 00:58:55,399 --> 00:58:57,199 and he wanted to return home 1490 00:58:57,201 --> 00:58:59,668 and actually enjoy the fruits of the labor 1491 00:58:59,670 --> 00:59:01,803 that he had invested in -- in the building 1492 00:59:01,805 --> 00:59:05,007 and the establishing of the government itself. 1493 00:59:05,009 --> 00:59:07,109 Washington is revered as the father of our country, 1494 00:59:07,111 --> 00:59:09,244 but our understanding of history goes awry 1495 00:59:09,246 --> 00:59:10,612 when we only seek 1496 00:59:10,614 --> 00:59:13,215 or care to listen to one part of a story. 1497 00:59:14,485 --> 00:59:16,685 From the moment I knew I was gonna be playing Washington, 1498 00:59:16,687 --> 00:59:18,720 it was the first thing that came into my mind -- 1499 00:59:18,722 --> 00:59:20,289 the slave question -- 1500 00:59:20,291 --> 00:59:24,893 the reality of the fact that he owned people. 1501 00:59:24,895 --> 00:59:26,061 I'll never make peace with it. 1502 00:59:26,063 --> 00:59:28,530 I tried to, till I stood in the slave quarters, 1503 00:59:28,532 --> 00:59:31,199 and there's no way to reconcile that. 1504 00:59:31,201 --> 00:59:34,069 If anything, it brings to bear the entire truth 1505 00:59:34,071 --> 00:59:37,005 of who this man was. 1506 00:59:37,007 --> 00:59:39,942 And some parts are ugly. 1507 00:59:39,944 --> 00:59:42,010 Some parts are abhorrent. 1508 00:59:42,012 --> 00:59:46,415 But there's nothing that I can do to change those things. 1509 00:59:46,417 --> 00:59:48,150 And there's nothing in my portrayal 1510 00:59:48,152 --> 00:59:52,321 that would suggest that we forgive any of that. 1511 00:59:52,323 --> 00:59:55,057 -You can't pretend that they didn't do things, right? 1512 00:59:55,059 --> 00:59:56,925 I mean, there was a country that was founded, 1513 00:59:56,927 --> 00:59:58,193 and we're sitting here. 1514 00:59:58,195 --> 01:00:00,128 There were great things that were done, 1515 01:00:00,130 --> 01:00:01,730 but there were terrible things that were done. 1516 01:00:01,732 --> 01:00:05,634 And for me, the best thing to do is to see both of them. 1517 01:00:05,636 --> 01:00:07,135 -Look at Jefferson. 1518 01:00:07,137 --> 01:00:09,705 You know, Jefferson wants to -- 1519 01:00:09,707 --> 01:00:15,177 this myth around the yeoman farmer. 1520 01:00:15,179 --> 01:00:18,480 Wow. Easy for a slaveholder to say. 1521 01:00:18,482 --> 01:00:19,848 -The interesting thing about him 1522 01:00:19,850 --> 01:00:21,817 is that he is the author, 1523 01:00:21,819 --> 01:00:24,453 the principal drafter of this document that says, 1524 01:00:24,455 --> 01:00:25,988 "All men are created equal," 1525 01:00:25,990 --> 01:00:27,522 and that is a paradox. 1526 01:00:27,524 --> 01:00:29,458 -You don't have to separate these things with Jefferson. 1527 01:00:29,460 --> 01:00:32,260 He can have written this incredible document, 1528 01:00:32,262 --> 01:00:34,763 and several incredible documents that we all sort of -- 1529 01:00:34,765 --> 01:00:36,865 with things that we all believe in. 1530 01:00:36,867 --> 01:00:39,401 And he sucks. 1531 01:00:39,403 --> 01:00:41,703 You know, I think those are both true, 1532 01:00:41,705 --> 01:00:43,372 and those have to be both true. 1533 01:00:43,374 --> 01:00:45,807 I think we really have to stop separating them, 1534 01:00:45,809 --> 01:00:47,175 because that's where you get into trouble. 1535 01:00:47,177 --> 01:00:50,078 That's when you stop letting people be whole people. 1536 01:00:50,080 --> 01:00:52,547 I disagree politically with a lot of rappers 1537 01:00:52,549 --> 01:00:53,982 that I listen to. You know what I'm saying? 1538 01:00:53,984 --> 01:00:55,751 There's sort of rampant 1539 01:00:55,753 --> 01:00:58,220 misogyny and homophobia in a lot of rap music. 1540 01:00:58,222 --> 01:00:59,821 That doesn't make them less brilliant rappers. 1541 01:00:59,823 --> 01:01:02,924 They're both true. 1542 01:01:02,926 --> 01:01:04,660 -These are not perfect people. 1543 01:01:04,662 --> 01:01:08,030 These are deeply flawed people. 1544 01:01:08,032 --> 01:01:10,966 But they made contributions, 1545 01:01:10,968 --> 01:01:13,735 and I think what this means is we have to acknowledge, 1546 01:01:13,737 --> 01:01:16,138 right now in the 21st century, 1547 01:01:16,140 --> 01:01:18,840 how much of what we have today 1548 01:01:18,842 --> 01:01:21,309 is built on the backs 1549 01:01:21,311 --> 01:01:26,014 of people whose contribution never gets acknowledged. 1550 01:01:26,016 --> 01:01:28,250 -What we're trying to do with the cast 1551 01:01:28,252 --> 01:01:31,887 and the larger gesture of this show is say, 1552 01:01:31,889 --> 01:01:35,390 "Here's a group of people that you think you can't relate to. 1553 01:01:35,392 --> 01:01:38,360 Maybe we can take down some of those barriers 1554 01:01:38,362 --> 01:01:42,964 and allow a reflection to be truer." 1555 01:01:42,966 --> 01:01:45,600 -What I think is that there's something 1556 01:01:45,602 --> 01:01:50,439 incredibly pure and fun about the casting, 1557 01:01:50,441 --> 01:01:55,577 that our imaginations really will let us take these leaps 1558 01:01:55,579 --> 01:01:59,848 and that we don't have to be so closed-minded, 1559 01:01:59,850 --> 01:02:04,486 especially in the theater, that it can be about -- 1560 01:02:04,488 --> 01:02:06,621 It can be whatever we want it to be. 1561 01:02:06,623 --> 01:02:09,091 -♪ I anticipate with pleasing expectation ♪ 1562 01:02:09,093 --> 01:02:13,095 ♪ That retreat in which I promised myself to realize ♪ 1563 01:02:13,097 --> 01:02:16,465 ♪ The sweet enjoyment of partaking ♪ 1564 01:02:16,467 --> 01:02:19,334 ♪ In the midst of my fellow citizens ♪ 1565 01:02:19,336 --> 01:02:22,571 -Washington had an extraordinary American life. 1566 01:02:22,573 --> 01:02:24,873 I think the most extraordinary thing he did 1567 01:02:24,875 --> 01:02:27,909 was step down from the presidency, 1568 01:02:27,911 --> 01:02:30,579 ensuring that this American experiment 1569 01:02:30,581 --> 01:02:33,281 would continue without him. 1570 01:02:33,283 --> 01:02:36,151 By modeling a peaceful transition 1571 01:02:36,153 --> 01:02:38,019 from president to president, 1572 01:02:38,021 --> 01:02:40,021 he puts us eons ahead 1573 01:02:40,023 --> 01:02:43,992 of every other fledgling democracy on earth. 1574 01:02:43,994 --> 01:02:46,928 -♪ George Washington's going home ♪ 1575 01:02:46,930 --> 01:02:49,297 -♪ Teach 'em how to say goodbye ♪ 1576 01:02:49,299 --> 01:02:51,633 -♪ George Washington's going home ♪ 1577 01:02:51,635 --> 01:02:55,070 -♪ You and I ♪ 1578 01:02:55,072 --> 01:02:57,672 -♪ George Washington's going home ♪ 1579 01:02:57,674 --> 01:03:00,675 -♪ Home ♪ -♪ Going home ♪ 1580 01:03:00,677 --> 01:03:03,478 -♪ George Washington's going home ♪ 1581 01:03:03,480 --> 01:03:07,182 -♪ History has its eyes on you ♪ 1582 01:03:07,184 --> 01:03:08,216 -♪ George Washington's going home ♪ 1583 01:03:08,218 --> 01:03:09,618 -♪ Yeah ♪ 1584 01:03:09,620 --> 01:03:12,087 ♪ We're gonna teach 'em how to say goodbye ♪ 1585 01:03:12,089 --> 01:03:13,522 -♪ Teach 'em how to say goodbye ♪ 1586 01:03:13,524 --> 01:03:15,090 -♪ Teach 'em how to say goodbye ♪ 1587 01:03:15,092 --> 01:03:16,591 -♪ Teach 'em how to say goodbye ♪ 1588 01:03:16,593 --> 01:03:18,360 -♪ To say goodbye ♪ -♪ To say goodbye ♪ 1589 01:03:18,362 --> 01:03:20,395 -♪ To say goodbye one last ti-i-i-i-me ♪ 1590 01:03:20,397 --> 01:03:22,664 -♪ One last time ♪ 1591 01:03:22,666 --> 01:03:32,340 -♪ Ti-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-me ♪ 1592 01:03:32,342 --> 01:03:35,577 [ Crowd cheers ] 1593 01:03:41,652 --> 01:03:43,285 -I think it's so important 1594 01:03:43,287 --> 01:03:45,120 to take George Washington off the pedestal. 1595 01:03:45,122 --> 01:03:47,255 These were real people who lived and died. 1596 01:03:47,257 --> 01:03:48,924 I think one of the things we really tried to do 1597 01:03:48,926 --> 01:03:51,560 with the show is show them all as flawed. 1598 01:03:51,562 --> 01:03:53,461 There's no one who's -- 1599 01:03:53,463 --> 01:03:56,932 There's no saints in this show, not a one. 1600 01:03:56,934 --> 01:03:59,668 -It's really logical to ask the question, 1601 01:03:59,670 --> 01:04:02,504 given all of the ways in which he's extreme, 1602 01:04:02,506 --> 01:04:05,607 "What kind of a guy was Hamilton?" 1603 01:04:05,609 --> 01:04:08,610 I would say to a lot of people a lot of the time, 1604 01:04:08,612 --> 01:04:14,850 he was an arrogant, irritating, ass... 1605 01:04:14,852 --> 01:04:17,118 -His big flaw -- his inability to shut up, 1606 01:04:17,120 --> 01:04:19,221 his tenacity, his drive -- 1607 01:04:19,223 --> 01:04:21,289 they're all great things in the war. 1608 01:04:21,291 --> 01:04:23,225 It's great when we see him writing to Congress 1609 01:04:23,227 --> 01:04:24,993 and saying, "We need more stuff." 1610 01:04:24,995 --> 01:04:28,630 But in the absence of a common enemy, 1611 01:04:28,632 --> 01:04:30,866 that virtue goes inward. 1612 01:04:30,868 --> 01:04:32,834 They go from assets to flaws. 1613 01:04:32,836 --> 01:04:35,971 And that explains things, like the Reynolds scandal. 1614 01:04:35,973 --> 01:04:37,772 This young woman, Maria Reynolds, 1615 01:04:37,774 --> 01:04:40,075 shows up at Hamilton's door one night. 1616 01:04:40,077 --> 01:04:41,343 She gives him this sob story 1617 01:04:41,345 --> 01:04:43,345 about her husband who abandoned her. 1618 01:04:43,347 --> 01:04:44,946 She asks him for money. 1619 01:04:44,948 --> 01:04:46,615 She needs his help. 1620 01:04:46,617 --> 01:04:48,350 -And he felt bad for her, 1621 01:04:48,352 --> 01:04:51,653 so he ended up giving her some money, 1622 01:04:51,655 --> 01:04:55,223 but that turned into an affair. 1623 01:04:55,225 --> 01:04:59,027 Her husband ended up finding out about the affair 1624 01:04:59,029 --> 01:05:01,763 and decided to make some money out of it. 1625 01:05:01,765 --> 01:05:04,900 -Hamilton forks over the blackmail money 1626 01:05:04,902 --> 01:05:09,070 and continues the relationship for about a year. 1627 01:05:09,072 --> 01:05:11,640 -The story leaks but with fuzzy details, 1628 01:05:11,642 --> 01:05:13,808 and Hamilton gets accused of speculating 1629 01:05:13,810 --> 01:05:16,478 in treasury securities with James Reynolds. 1630 01:05:16,480 --> 01:05:19,414 -So he decides he's gonna write a pamphlet 1631 01:05:19,416 --> 01:05:21,416 in which he argues -- 1632 01:05:21,418 --> 01:05:23,551 and in his mind, this is the truth -- 1633 01:05:23,553 --> 01:05:26,755 that, no, no, no, he's a perfectly correct public figure. 1634 01:05:26,757 --> 01:05:28,723 He's never done anything bad as a public figure. 1635 01:05:28,725 --> 01:05:29,991 But as a private figure, 1636 01:05:29,993 --> 01:05:31,493 he just committed adultery 1637 01:05:31,495 --> 01:05:32,827 and paid blackmail for it. 1638 01:05:32,829 --> 01:05:35,430 -It really reads like a cross between a dissertation 1639 01:05:35,432 --> 01:05:37,032 and a "Dear Penthouse" letter. 1640 01:05:37,034 --> 01:05:42,604 He's not bragging, but the language is complicated. 1641 01:05:42,606 --> 01:05:44,706 -Eliza was so traumatized 1642 01:05:44,708 --> 01:05:46,641 by the publication of the Reynolds Pamphlet 1643 01:05:46,643 --> 01:05:51,913 that she never publicly commented on what had happened. 1644 01:05:51,915 --> 01:05:54,716 -What we have is a letter from Angelica to Eliza 1645 01:05:54,718 --> 01:05:57,652 saying, "You married an Icarus, 1646 01:05:57,654 --> 01:05:59,654 and he flew too close to the sun." 1647 01:05:59,656 --> 01:06:05,293 -♪ I'm erasing myself from the narrative ♪ 1648 01:06:05,295 --> 01:06:10,265 ♪ Let future historians wonder how Eliza reacted ♪ 1649 01:06:10,267 --> 01:06:12,734 ♪ When you broke her heart ♪ 1650 01:06:12,736 --> 01:06:15,370 ♪ You have torn it all apart ♪ 1651 01:06:15,372 --> 01:06:23,244 ♪ I'm watching it bu-u-u-u-rn ♪ 1652 01:06:23,246 --> 01:06:24,746 -I love the notion, which is true, 1653 01:06:24,748 --> 01:06:26,915 that Eliza burned a lot of their correspondence. 1654 01:06:26,917 --> 01:06:29,718 She wanted Hamilton to be known for his political acts. 1655 01:06:29,720 --> 01:06:32,821 So I re-cast that burning of the letters 1656 01:06:32,823 --> 01:06:35,857 as an act of anger 1657 01:06:35,859 --> 01:06:38,560 and acknowledgement of betrayal. 1658 01:06:38,562 --> 01:06:42,097 -She didn't really have options. 1659 01:06:42,099 --> 01:06:44,599 She couldn't just leave him. 1660 01:06:44,601 --> 01:06:47,268 She had eight children. 1661 01:06:47,270 --> 01:06:50,572 On top of that, there were a lot of hardships. 1662 01:06:50,574 --> 01:06:52,574 -The second act of Hamilton's life 1663 01:06:52,576 --> 01:06:54,476 centers around the loss of his child. 1664 01:06:54,478 --> 01:06:56,378 His eldest son, Philip, is gunned down 1665 01:06:56,380 --> 01:06:59,347 in a duel about Hamilton. 1666 01:06:59,349 --> 01:07:01,282 The duel began over a disagreement 1667 01:07:01,284 --> 01:07:03,618 because George Eacker had said unkind things 1668 01:07:03,620 --> 01:07:05,186 about Philip's father. 1669 01:07:05,188 --> 01:07:07,756 -As ridiculous as it seems that Philip 1670 01:07:07,758 --> 01:07:10,658 would go and duel for his father, 1671 01:07:10,660 --> 01:07:13,795 or that people would duel anyway back then, you know, 1672 01:07:13,797 --> 01:07:16,398 it's the same as people going out 1673 01:07:16,400 --> 01:07:19,467 and fighting somebody or, you know, 1674 01:07:19,469 --> 01:07:21,069 because they said something about their mother 1675 01:07:21,071 --> 01:07:22,504 or they said something about their family 1676 01:07:22,506 --> 01:07:25,040 or their sister or their brother or their dad. 1677 01:07:27,477 --> 01:07:29,878 -Hamilton was absolutely unhinged 1678 01:07:29,880 --> 01:07:32,180 by the death of his son. 1679 01:07:32,182 --> 01:07:34,215 And when you see paintings of Hamilton 1680 01:07:34,217 --> 01:07:35,884 from those later years, 1681 01:07:35,886 --> 01:07:38,319 he suddenly has aged tremendously. 1682 01:07:38,321 --> 01:07:42,557 There definitely is a somber note to his final years. 1683 01:07:42,559 --> 01:07:44,826 -Can we get back to politics? -Please. 1684 01:07:44,828 --> 01:07:48,930 -♪ Yo, every action has its equal, opposite reaction ♪ 1685 01:07:48,932 --> 01:07:50,398 ♪ John Adams...the bed ♪ 1686 01:07:50,400 --> 01:07:52,400 ♪ I love the guy, but he's in traction ♪ 1687 01:07:52,402 --> 01:07:56,237 ♪ Poor Alexander Hamilton, he is missing in action ♪ 1688 01:07:56,239 --> 01:07:58,406 ♪ So now I'm facing Aaron Burr ♪ -♪ Aaron Burr ♪ 1689 01:07:58,408 --> 01:07:59,874 -♪ With his own faction ♪ 1690 01:07:59,876 --> 01:08:03,845 -It could be argued that Burr 1691 01:08:03,847 --> 01:08:06,181 was not a very good politician. 1692 01:08:06,183 --> 01:08:08,149 In that election of 1800, 1693 01:08:08,151 --> 01:08:10,018 when it's Burr and Thomas Jefferson, 1694 01:08:10,020 --> 01:08:12,120 when Burr comes really close 1695 01:08:12,122 --> 01:08:14,222 to becoming the President of the United States, 1696 01:08:14,224 --> 01:08:18,193 he's backed in that race by two different parties. 1697 01:08:18,195 --> 01:08:22,330 That is how malleable his beliefs were. 1698 01:08:22,332 --> 01:08:23,531 [ Chuckles ] 1699 01:08:23,533 --> 01:08:25,300 -People will say, "Boy, Burr's a handy guy 1700 01:08:25,302 --> 01:08:26,734 to have with you in an election, 1701 01:08:26,736 --> 01:08:28,937 because he doesn't have really strict principles." 1702 01:08:28,939 --> 01:08:32,707 Hamilton writes a letter saying, "He has no principles!" 1703 01:08:32,709 --> 01:08:35,710 Like, "Why is that good?! This cannot be good!" 1704 01:08:35,712 --> 01:08:37,245 It ends up that there's a tie 1705 01:08:37,247 --> 01:08:38,847 between Burr and Jefferson, 1706 01:08:38,849 --> 01:08:40,548 gets thrown into the House to be decided. 1707 01:08:40,550 --> 01:08:42,317 And so there's Hamilton facing the future 1708 01:08:42,319 --> 01:08:43,685 of one or the other of these men, 1709 01:08:43,687 --> 01:08:45,520 who he really doesn't like, are gonna be president. 1710 01:08:45,522 --> 01:08:46,754 -♪ Oh ♪ 1711 01:08:46,756 --> 01:08:49,257 -♪ The people are asking to hear my voice ♪ 1712 01:08:49,259 --> 01:08:50,525 -♪ Oh ♪ 1713 01:08:50,527 --> 01:08:52,694 -♪ The country is facing a difficult choice ♪ 1714 01:08:52,696 --> 01:08:54,129 -♪ Oh ♪ 1715 01:08:54,131 --> 01:08:55,897 -♪ And if you were to ask me who I'd promote ♪ 1716 01:08:55,899 --> 01:08:59,667 -♪ Oh ♪ -♪ Jefferson has my vote ♪ 1717 01:08:59,669 --> 01:09:01,603 -Thomas Jefferson becomes president. 1718 01:09:01,605 --> 01:09:04,139 Aaron Burr becomes the vice president. 1719 01:09:04,141 --> 01:09:06,774 When Jefferson ran for re-election, 1720 01:09:06,776 --> 01:09:08,710 Burr goes back to New York State 1721 01:09:08,712 --> 01:09:10,044 and runs for governor, 1722 01:09:10,046 --> 01:09:12,580 only to find that he is again thwarted 1723 01:09:12,582 --> 01:09:15,583 in his ambition by Alexander Hamilton, 1724 01:09:15,585 --> 01:09:17,819 and Burr loses for governor. 1725 01:09:17,821 --> 01:09:20,855 You know, at this point, Burr flies into a rage. 1726 01:09:20,857 --> 01:09:23,191 It seems like at every stage of his career, 1727 01:09:23,193 --> 01:09:25,660 the man blocking his path of advancement 1728 01:09:25,662 --> 01:09:28,129 is the same Alexander Hamilton. 1729 01:09:33,236 --> 01:09:37,338 -Alexander Hamilton is the patron saint of our museum. 1730 01:09:37,340 --> 01:09:38,773 -Nice! -And so, yes, 1731 01:09:38,775 --> 01:09:40,208 you're in Hamiltonian country, Leslie, 1732 01:09:40,210 --> 01:09:42,644 but we'll do our best to try and give a little bit 1733 01:09:42,646 --> 01:09:44,445 of a balance for you here as we go forward. 1734 01:09:44,447 --> 01:09:45,713 -Okay. -[ Laughs ] 1735 01:09:45,715 --> 01:09:48,283 -All around you are original Hamilton artifacts 1736 01:09:48,285 --> 01:09:49,450 and some others we've brought up. 1737 01:09:49,452 --> 01:09:50,752 But why don't we take a look 1738 01:09:50,754 --> 01:09:52,187 at some of the treasures that we have here? 1739 01:09:52,189 --> 01:09:53,855 -Awesome. -Lin, Leslie, 1740 01:09:53,857 --> 01:09:58,092 this is a book published in 1804 -- 1741 01:09:58,094 --> 01:10:00,395 "A Collection of the Facts and Documents 1742 01:10:00,397 --> 01:10:01,629 Related to the Death 1743 01:10:01,631 --> 01:10:05,166 of Major-General Alexander Hamilton." 1744 01:10:05,168 --> 01:10:06,968 You want to read some of those? 1745 01:10:06,970 --> 01:10:08,736 -Sure. -"Political opposition 1746 01:10:08,738 --> 01:10:10,572 can never absolve gentlemen 1747 01:10:10,574 --> 01:10:13,208 from the necessity of a rigid adherence 1748 01:10:13,210 --> 01:10:17,212 to the laws of honor and the rules of decorum. 1749 01:10:17,214 --> 01:10:20,715 I neither claim such privilege nor indulge it in others." 1750 01:10:20,717 --> 01:10:24,419 -Burr, one day, reads in an Albany newspaper 1751 01:10:24,421 --> 01:10:28,189 that Alexander Hamilton, at a dinner party, 1752 01:10:28,191 --> 01:10:31,259 has uttered a despicable opinion about him. 1753 01:10:31,261 --> 01:10:34,362 Burr challenges Hamilton to a duel. 1754 01:10:34,364 --> 01:10:36,864 -Hmm. A reply. [ Laughter ] 1755 01:10:36,866 --> 01:10:40,268 It's several pages. "Sir, I have maturely reflected 1756 01:10:40,270 --> 01:10:42,537 on the subject of your letter of the 18th last, 1757 01:10:42,539 --> 01:10:44,706 and the more I have reflected, the more I have become convinced 1758 01:10:44,708 --> 01:10:46,874 that I could not, without manifest impropriety, 1759 01:10:46,876 --> 01:10:48,576 make the avowal or disavowal 1760 01:10:48,578 --> 01:10:50,578 which you seem to think necessary." 1761 01:10:50,580 --> 01:10:52,113 -Hamilton could have ended the whole affair 1762 01:10:52,115 --> 01:10:53,414 just by apologizing 1763 01:10:53,416 --> 01:10:56,150 if he had inadvertently given Burr offense. 1764 01:10:56,152 --> 01:10:59,520 -"'Tis evident that the phrase, 'still more despicable,' 1765 01:10:59,522 --> 01:11:02,490 emits of infinite shades from very light to very dark. 1766 01:11:02,492 --> 01:11:05,460 How am I to judge of the degree intended, 1767 01:11:05,462 --> 01:11:08,196 or how shall I annex any precise idea 1768 01:11:08,198 --> 01:11:10,198 to language so indefinite?" 1769 01:11:10,200 --> 01:11:13,067 -If you and I were getting into something, I would send you -- 1770 01:11:13,069 --> 01:11:14,802 You know, I might piss you off on Twitter 1771 01:11:14,804 --> 01:11:16,938 and then you send me a text 1772 01:11:16,940 --> 01:11:19,774 and I send you a text back, and then it's on. 1773 01:11:19,776 --> 01:11:21,342 I mean, these guys had to -- 1774 01:11:21,344 --> 01:11:23,945 They wrote long letters, 1775 01:11:23,947 --> 01:11:26,414 you know, in impeccable penmanship. 1776 01:11:26,416 --> 01:11:29,384 There was so much time for it to cool off, 1777 01:11:29,386 --> 01:11:33,354 for it to not get to where it got to. 1778 01:11:33,356 --> 01:11:34,722 -And it goes on and on. 1779 01:11:34,724 --> 01:11:36,591 -Can you imagine getting a letter like this back then? 1780 01:11:36,593 --> 01:11:38,826 Like, "Wait, I sent you a paragraph." 1781 01:11:38,828 --> 01:11:41,329 Do you know what I mean? -"I have the honor to be 1782 01:11:41,331 --> 01:11:42,630 A. Ham." 1783 01:11:42,632 --> 01:11:45,700 -I think, from a modern outlook, 1784 01:11:45,702 --> 01:11:48,303 the practice of dueling makes absolutely no sense -- right? -- 1785 01:11:48,305 --> 01:11:51,606 because it means two guys go out onto a field in early morning 1786 01:11:51,608 --> 01:11:54,976 and shoot at each other because they're angry at each other. 1787 01:11:54,978 --> 01:11:57,178 What does that accomplish, right? Seemingly nothing. 1788 01:11:57,180 --> 01:11:59,947 But people didn't duel to kill each other, 1789 01:11:59,949 --> 01:12:02,050 which is a really hard thing to get your brain around. 1790 01:12:02,052 --> 01:12:04,118 They went to a dueling ground to prove 1791 01:12:04,120 --> 01:12:05,953 that they were brave enough to be there, 1792 01:12:05,955 --> 01:12:07,755 and thus were men of merit. 1793 01:12:07,757 --> 01:12:09,757 -"Your letter has furnished me with new reasons 1794 01:12:09,759 --> 01:12:12,026 for requiring a definite reply. 1795 01:12:12,028 --> 01:12:15,229 I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient A. Burr." 1796 01:12:15,231 --> 01:12:17,198 Wow. -That's great. 1797 01:12:17,200 --> 01:12:19,133 -That's fantastic. -Lawyered. 1798 01:12:19,202 --> 01:12:21,569 It's Burr lookin at his life and saying, 1799 01:12:21,638 --> 01:12:26,040 "Wow, at every point along the way, my barrier was you. 1800 01:12:26,109 --> 01:12:28,710 What do you have to say for yourself?" 1801 01:12:28,778 --> 01:12:31,779 Hamilton, smart-ass as he is, is saying, 1802 01:12:31,848 --> 01:12:33,581 "You're gonna have to be more specific than that. 1803 01:12:33,650 --> 01:12:37,018 I say a lot of... about you." 1804 01:12:37,020 --> 01:12:40,054 -These are 18th-century dueling pistols. 1805 01:12:40,056 --> 01:12:43,424 The first thing to do is, you would pick up your weapon 1806 01:12:43,426 --> 01:12:45,093 and keep it vertical, 1807 01:12:45,095 --> 01:12:48,129 and you would put some powder in. 1808 01:12:48,131 --> 01:12:50,398 And then you would take out the rammer. 1809 01:12:50,400 --> 01:12:53,234 You invert it and ram the powder down. 1810 01:12:57,006 --> 01:12:58,139 -Okay, and you would -- 1811 01:12:58,141 --> 01:12:59,574 -There's so much time to apologize. 1812 01:12:59,576 --> 01:13:01,409 [ Laughter ] 1813 01:13:01,411 --> 01:13:04,278 -At dawn on a July morning in 1804, 1814 01:13:04,280 --> 01:13:06,481 traveling in separate boats, 1815 01:13:06,483 --> 01:13:07,849 Hamilton and Burr travel 1816 01:13:07,851 --> 01:13:10,084 up the Hudson River to Weehawken, 1817 01:13:10,086 --> 01:13:11,319 across the Hudson River 1818 01:13:11,321 --> 01:13:14,389 from where West 42nd Street in Manhattan is. 1819 01:13:14,391 --> 01:13:16,858 -Hamilton had a lot of insecurities and vulnerabilities 1820 01:13:16,860 --> 01:13:19,327 about his reputation because of his origins. 1821 01:13:19,329 --> 01:13:20,862 Over the course of his life, 1822 01:13:20,864 --> 01:13:24,699 10 times he almost got involved in a duel. 1823 01:13:24,701 --> 01:13:27,468 All of those times, he negotiated his way out. 1824 01:13:27,470 --> 01:13:30,638 And in most affairs of honor, that's what happened. 1825 01:13:30,640 --> 01:13:32,807 Unfortunately, with Burr in 1804, 1826 01:13:32,809 --> 01:13:34,709 they don't manage to do that. 1827 01:13:36,479 --> 01:13:39,914 -♪ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ♪ 1828 01:13:39,916 --> 01:13:41,649 ♪ Number 10 paces, fire ♪ 1829 01:13:41,651 --> 01:13:44,051 [ Gunshot ] 1830 01:13:44,053 --> 01:13:46,053 -And we get to his final moments. 1831 01:13:46,055 --> 01:13:49,791 There's just him, this bullet coming at him, 1832 01:13:49,793 --> 01:13:53,327 and all the thoughts that can ping through his brain 1833 01:13:53,329 --> 01:13:56,497 between that bullet leaving the gun and hitting him. 1834 01:13:56,499 --> 01:13:59,233 -I imagine death so much, it feels more like a memory. 1835 01:13:59,235 --> 01:14:00,601 Is this where it gets me -- 1836 01:14:00,603 --> 01:14:03,171 on my feet, several feet ahead of me? 1837 01:14:03,173 --> 01:14:04,272 I see it coming. 1838 01:14:04,274 --> 01:14:07,742 Do I run or fire my gun or let it be? 1839 01:14:07,744 --> 01:14:09,977 There is no beat, no melody. 1840 01:14:09,979 --> 01:14:12,380 He does a tally sheet. 1841 01:14:12,382 --> 01:14:13,848 This is -- This is Hamilton. 1842 01:14:13,850 --> 01:14:19,720 He thinks about the things he's done in his life. 1843 01:14:19,722 --> 01:14:23,124 He thinks about the country he's leaving behind 1844 01:14:23,126 --> 01:14:25,860 that didn't exist when he got there. 1845 01:14:25,862 --> 01:14:29,597 He thinks about the people he's gonna see on the other side. 1846 01:14:29,599 --> 01:14:32,066 -Laurens leads a soldiers' chorus on the other side. 1847 01:14:32,068 --> 01:14:33,868 My son is on the other side. 1848 01:14:33,870 --> 01:14:36,003 He's with my mother on the other side. 1849 01:14:36,005 --> 01:14:38,172 Washington is watching from the other side. 1850 01:14:38,174 --> 01:14:40,541 Teach me how to say goodbye. 1851 01:14:40,543 --> 01:14:42,710 ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ 1852 01:14:42,712 --> 01:14:43,845 ♪ Rise up ♪ 1853 01:14:43,847 --> 01:14:45,746 ♪ Eliza ♪ 1854 01:14:45,748 --> 01:14:47,114 -And in the last moment, 1855 01:14:47,116 --> 01:14:50,151 the snag that keeps him from going there is Eliza, 1856 01:14:50,153 --> 01:14:53,287 because he leaves her behind with a lot. 1857 01:14:53,289 --> 01:14:54,655 And then he does it anyway. 1858 01:14:54,657 --> 01:14:56,924 He points his gun up at the sky in that final moment. 1859 01:14:56,926 --> 01:14:59,727 -My love, take your time. 1860 01:15:01,498 --> 01:15:03,698 [ Sobs ] I'll see you on the other side. 1861 01:15:05,902 --> 01:15:07,935 [ Sobs ] 1862 01:15:11,441 --> 01:15:14,675 ♪ Raise a glass to freedom ♪ 1863 01:15:14,677 --> 01:15:16,444 -♪ He aims his pistol at the sky ♪ 1864 01:15:16,446 --> 01:15:18,646 -Wait! [ Gunshot ] 1865 01:15:18,648 --> 01:15:21,949 [ Mid-tempo dramatic music plays ] 1866 01:15:30,026 --> 01:15:33,060 -There's a lot more he could have done. 1867 01:15:33,062 --> 01:15:37,465 The fact that it went down the way that it did is a tragedy 1868 01:15:37,467 --> 01:15:42,069 for both of them and for all of us. 1869 01:15:42,071 --> 01:15:48,175 You know, he was a fighter and a survivor for a long time. 1870 01:15:48,177 --> 01:15:52,380 He had risen to a certain station in life 1871 01:15:52,382 --> 01:15:54,815 by the time him and Hamilton ended up 1872 01:15:54,817 --> 01:15:57,084 on the grounds in Weehawken. 1873 01:15:57,086 --> 01:16:00,388 He wasn't friendless. He wasn't jobless. 1874 01:16:00,390 --> 01:16:03,925 I mean, he had risen to that station based on relationships 1875 01:16:03,927 --> 01:16:06,460 and based on accomplishments. 1876 01:16:06,462 --> 01:16:10,131 I think that our show is doing a really good job 1877 01:16:10,133 --> 01:16:13,401 of reminding us 1878 01:16:13,403 --> 01:16:17,838 that all of us are more than one thing. 1879 01:16:17,840 --> 01:16:21,008 -♪ Now I'm the villain in your history ♪ 1880 01:16:23,913 --> 01:16:29,917 ♪ I was too young and blind to see ♪ 1881 01:16:29,919 --> 01:16:32,386 ♪ I should've known ♪ 1882 01:16:32,388 --> 01:16:35,890 ♪ I should've known the world was wide enough ♪ 1883 01:16:35,892 --> 01:16:40,895 ♪ For both Hamilton and me ♪ 1884 01:16:40,897 --> 01:16:43,631 -If that's all you're looking at, 1885 01:16:43,633 --> 01:16:46,334 is our worst act on our worst day, 1886 01:16:46,336 --> 01:16:49,337 any one of us could be painted as a villain. 1887 01:16:49,339 --> 01:16:52,273 It's really about the totality of someone. 1888 01:16:52,275 --> 01:16:55,376 -How much time do we get on this Earth? 1889 01:16:55,378 --> 01:16:57,979 We don't know. 1890 01:16:57,981 --> 01:17:02,783 They don't tell us at the outset how much time we get. 1891 01:17:02,785 --> 01:17:04,785 It's something I've been sort of grappling with 1892 01:17:04,787 --> 01:17:06,153 and terrified with. 1893 01:17:06,155 --> 01:17:08,422 I think we all grapple with it. I think we all grapple 1894 01:17:08,424 --> 01:17:13,794 with the paradox of knowing tomorrow's not promised, 1895 01:17:13,796 --> 01:17:17,632 but making plans anyway. You know? 1896 01:17:17,634 --> 01:17:19,867 Hamilton walked into that duel. 1897 01:17:19,869 --> 01:17:21,235 He had a lunch date with a client 1898 01:17:21,237 --> 01:17:23,371 on the books that same day. 1899 01:17:23,373 --> 01:17:26,507 You don't plan for your life to end. 1900 01:17:26,509 --> 01:17:29,610 -♪ Let me tell you what I wish I'd known ♪ 1901 01:17:29,612 --> 01:17:33,147 ♪ When I was young and dreamed of glory ♪ 1902 01:17:33,149 --> 01:17:34,849 ♪ You have no control 1903 01:17:34,851 --> 01:17:38,853 ♪ Who lives, who dies, who tells your story ♪ 1904 01:17:38,855 --> 01:17:41,188 -President Jefferson. -I give him this -- 1905 01:17:41,190 --> 01:17:44,025 his financial system was a work of genius. 1906 01:17:44,027 --> 01:17:46,527 I couldn't undo it if I tried. 1907 01:17:46,529 --> 01:17:48,195 And I tried. 1908 01:17:48,197 --> 01:17:52,633 -Hamilton built our modern economy. 1909 01:17:52,635 --> 01:17:55,803 And once we built it here in the United States, 1910 01:17:55,805 --> 01:17:59,507 the rest of the world looked around and said, 1911 01:17:59,509 --> 01:18:01,942 "Pretty good idea." -Alexander Hamilton, I think, 1912 01:18:01,944 --> 01:18:04,679 is one of the more uniquely American founders 1913 01:18:04,681 --> 01:18:06,881 because this man came from nothing 1914 01:18:06,883 --> 01:18:10,851 and rose to the highest levels of serving this country. 1915 01:18:10,853 --> 01:18:12,720 He proved, the condition of your birth 1916 01:18:12,722 --> 01:18:15,156 should not determine the outcome of your life. 1917 01:18:15,158 --> 01:18:18,092 -Alexander Hamilton is somewhere going, "Thank you. 1918 01:18:18,094 --> 01:18:21,262 Finally, someone has given me the respect. 1919 01:18:21,264 --> 01:18:24,498 I created this whole fin-- 1920 01:18:24,500 --> 01:18:26,667 I created what money is and the bank systems. 1921 01:18:26,669 --> 01:18:30,137 I created all of that. I got no thanks for that?" 1922 01:18:30,139 --> 01:18:32,907 -It wasn't easy to get to where we are today. 1923 01:18:32,909 --> 01:18:36,944 But it was dictated by and led by a vision. 1924 01:18:36,946 --> 01:18:39,613 We're a blessed nation to have had our founders -- 1925 01:18:39,615 --> 01:18:42,049 such remarkable men. 1926 01:18:42,051 --> 01:18:45,152 -I think when faced with the incredible 1927 01:18:45,154 --> 01:18:49,123 three lifetimes Hamilton lived while he was on this Earth, 1928 01:18:49,125 --> 01:18:51,158 it forces you to reckon with, 1929 01:18:51,160 --> 01:18:54,729 "Well, what am I doing with my life?" 1930 01:18:54,731 --> 01:18:57,231 That's the thing you're always up against 1931 01:18:57,233 --> 01:18:59,200 when you're writing something that's big. 1932 01:18:59,202 --> 01:19:02,203 It's, "God, can I be proud of this at the end of the day? 1933 01:19:02,205 --> 01:19:06,140 If this show opens and closes in a day, 1934 01:19:06,142 --> 01:19:09,243 will I regret the six years I put into it?" 1935 01:19:09,245 --> 01:19:11,912 -The Tony goes to "Hamilton." 1936 01:19:11,914 --> 01:19:14,181 [ Cheers and applause ] 1937 01:19:16,419 --> 01:19:19,687 -I'm well aware that the outside part of my life, 1938 01:19:19,689 --> 01:19:23,023 the whole zeitgeist-y moment that is happening -- 1939 01:19:23,025 --> 01:19:24,358 if this were a movie, 1940 01:19:24,360 --> 01:19:27,628 there would be newspapers spinning and flash bulbs. 1941 01:19:27,630 --> 01:19:30,264 That's what this section of the movie would be. 1942 01:19:30,266 --> 01:19:33,000 -And the Tony goes to... -And the Tony goes to... 1943 01:19:33,002 --> 01:19:35,236 -And the Tony goes to... -Hamilton." 1944 01:19:35,238 --> 01:19:36,771 -Hamilton." -Hamilton." 1945 01:19:36,773 --> 01:19:38,205 -Hamilton." -Hamilton." 1946 01:19:38,207 --> 01:19:39,573 -Hamilton." 1947 01:19:39,575 --> 01:19:42,309 [ Cheers and applause ] 1948 01:19:42,311 --> 01:19:45,679 -Alexander Hamilton was a dreamer. 1949 01:19:45,681 --> 01:19:49,917 I stand on this stage tonight surrounded by dreamers. 1950 01:19:49,919 --> 01:19:52,219 [ Cheers and applause ] 1951 01:19:52,221 --> 01:19:56,157 ♪♪ 1952 01:19:56,159 --> 01:19:58,492 [ Birds chirping ] 1953 01:20:00,963 --> 01:20:04,498 -I keep waiting for life to go back to normal. 1954 01:20:04,500 --> 01:20:07,101 We've finished unpacking our apartment. 1955 01:20:07,103 --> 01:20:08,803 My piano's still out of tune. 1956 01:20:08,805 --> 01:20:12,306 I haven't gotten around to that yet. 1957 01:20:12,308 --> 01:20:16,310 I knew that "Hamilton" was gonna change my life. 1958 01:20:16,312 --> 01:20:19,747 But I didn't anticipate 1959 01:20:19,749 --> 01:20:23,517 how much we'd help Hamilton's legacy in turn. 1960 01:20:23,519 --> 01:20:25,653 Not just Hamilton but also Eliza, 1961 01:20:25,655 --> 01:20:28,589 for whom Hamilton's legacy was so important. 1962 01:20:28,591 --> 01:20:31,058 [ Soft music plays ] 1963 01:20:31,060 --> 01:20:33,260 -♪ Eliza ♪ 1964 01:20:33,262 --> 01:20:37,131 -♪ I put myself back in the narrative ♪ 1965 01:20:37,133 --> 01:20:39,300 -♪ Eliza ♪ 1966 01:20:39,302 --> 01:20:41,836 -♪ I stop wasting time on tears ♪ 1967 01:20:41,838 --> 01:20:44,138 ♪ I live another 50 years ♪ 1968 01:20:44,140 --> 01:20:45,906 ♪ It's not enough ♪ -♪ Eliza ♪ 1969 01:20:45,908 --> 01:20:51,345 -"Hamilton" captures the spirit of American entrepreneurship 1970 01:20:51,347 --> 01:20:54,748 and making it and hustle. 1971 01:20:54,750 --> 01:20:56,884 I think if Hamilton were alive today, 1972 01:20:56,886 --> 01:20:59,253 he would look back and say 1973 01:20:59,255 --> 01:21:04,658 America succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. 1974 01:21:04,660 --> 01:21:07,094 -♪ You could have done so much more ♪ 1975 01:21:07,096 --> 01:21:09,163 ♪ If you only had time ♪ 1976 01:21:09,165 --> 01:21:12,299 ♪ And when my time is up, have I done enough? ♪ 1977 01:21:12,301 --> 01:21:16,337 ♪ Will they tell your story? ♪ 1978 01:21:16,339 --> 01:21:19,006 -I feel like Hamilton chose me. 1979 01:21:19,008 --> 01:21:22,476 He reached out of the Chernow book 1980 01:21:22,478 --> 01:21:23,878 and grabbed me 1981 01:21:23,880 --> 01:21:26,914 and wouldn't let me go until I told his story. 1982 01:21:26,916 --> 01:21:28,916 You can't manufacture another "Hamilton." 1983 01:21:28,918 --> 01:21:30,117 I'll never write another "Hamilton." 1984 01:21:30,119 --> 01:21:31,218 "Hamilton" is singular -- 1985 01:21:31,220 --> 01:21:33,387 the man and the creation of the show. 1986 01:21:33,389 --> 01:21:34,788 I feel like my responsibility 1987 01:21:34,790 --> 01:21:36,590 is just to sort of keep my eyes open 1988 01:21:36,592 --> 01:21:38,726 and live it as slowly as possible, 1989 01:21:38,728 --> 01:21:40,861 because I am aware musical theater 1990 01:21:40,863 --> 01:21:44,031 does not get off the arts page often. 1991 01:21:44,033 --> 01:21:46,300 And here we are. 1992 01:21:46,302 --> 01:21:50,738 -♪ I can't wait to see you again ♪ 1993 01:21:50,740 --> 01:21:53,674 ♪ It's only a matter of ♪ 1994 01:21:53,676 --> 01:21:58,379 -♪ Ti-i-i-me ♪ 1995 01:21:58,381 --> 01:22:00,714 -♪ Will they tell your story? ♪ 1996 01:22:00,716 --> 01:22:03,617 -♪ Time ♪ 1997 01:22:03,619 --> 01:22:07,922 -♪ Who lives? Who dies? Who tells your story? ♪ 1998 01:22:07,924 --> 01:22:12,693 -♪ Ti-i-i-me ♪ 1999 01:22:12,695 --> 01:22:15,162 -♪ Will they tell your story? ♪ 2000 01:22:15,164 --> 01:22:18,499 -♪ Ti-i-i-me ♪ 2001 01:22:18,501 --> 01:22:20,000 -♪ Who lives? Who dies? ♪ 2002 01:22:20,002 --> 01:22:28,876 ♪ Who tells your story-y-y? ♪ 2003 01:22:31,247 --> 01:22:32,546 -All right, drop the beat. 2004 01:22:32,548 --> 01:22:33,714 -[ Beatboxing ] 2005 01:22:33,716 --> 01:22:35,182 -♪ Folks on the next train ♪ 2006 01:22:35,184 --> 01:22:37,818 ♪ Ah, yeah, and he's comin' from downtown and uptown ♪ 2007 01:22:37,820 --> 01:22:40,187 ♪ Yeah, Renée's always a-breakin' it down ♪ 2008 01:22:40,189 --> 01:22:42,156 ♪ Oh, man, throw me in the gar-bage ♪ 2009 01:22:42,158 --> 01:22:44,625 ♪ 'Cause I can't compete with her decolletage ♪ 2010 01:22:44,627 --> 01:22:46,226 ♪ Ah, bien ♪ 2011 01:22:46,228 --> 01:22:47,895 ♪ Yes, I'm rappin' in French ♪ 2012 01:22:47,897 --> 01:22:49,330 ♪ I am the hench-man ♪ 2013 01:22:49,332 --> 01:22:50,431 ♪ I'm a mensch ♪ 2014 01:22:50,433 --> 01:22:51,632 ♪ Really, I'm a mensch, man ♪ 2015 01:22:51,634 --> 01:22:53,100 ♪ Yeah, don't put me on the bench ♪ 2016 01:22:53,102 --> 01:22:54,335 ♪ I'm the next man ♪ 2017 01:22:54,337 --> 01:22:56,303 ♪ To get into this freestyle cipher ♪ 2018 01:22:56,305 --> 01:22:58,539 ♪ I'm a 25-to-lifer, I like ya ♪ 2019 01:22:58,541 --> 01:23:00,040 ♪ This is freestyle for the doc ♪ 2020 01:23:00,042 --> 01:23:01,442 ♪ I don't stop, I'm hip-hop ♪ 2021 01:23:01,444 --> 01:23:03,110 ♪ Yeah, I got that chips and guac ♪ 2022 01:23:03,112 --> 01:23:05,679 ♪ Oh, 'cause I'm spicy as hell ♪ 2023 01:23:05,681 --> 01:23:08,115 ♪ Ah, yeah, so you go run and tell that ♪ 2024 01:23:08,117 --> 01:23:10,084 ♪ Tell them I'm good at it, too ♪ 2025 01:23:10,086 --> 01:23:11,385 ♪ Renée's a beast backstage ♪ 2026 01:23:11,387 --> 01:23:12,786 ♪ She wouldn't show you ♪ 2027 01:23:12,788 --> 01:23:15,422 -Ooh! [ Applause ] 2028 01:23:15,424 --> 01:23:16,724 -Hey! -That was good. 2029 01:23:16,726 --> 01:23:18,125 -[ Laughs ] 2030 01:23:18,127 --> 01:23:21,328 -Every day! Every day, he knows what to say. 2031 01:23:21,330 --> 01:23:23,597 [ Laughter ]