Hamilton: How the Musical Remixes American History

Hamilton: How the Musical Remixes American History
Wednesday, August 26, 2020 - 7:00pm

Even in lockdown, America has Hamilton-mania! With Disney+ streaming the show this summer, everyone’s talking about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-winning musical. Its crafty lyrics, hip-hop tunes, and big, bold story have even rejuvenated interest in the real lives and true histories that Hamilton: the Musical puts center stage.

In this talk, which is aimed at people who know the soundtrack or who’ve seen the show, University of Maryland historian Dr. Richard Bell explores this musical phenomenon to reveal what its success tells us about the marriage of history and show-business. We’ll learn what this amazing musical gets right and gets wrong about Alexander Hamilton, the American Revolution, and the birth of the United Sates and about why all that matters. 

Please note that registration ends 24 hours before the event begins.

If Zoom causes issues you can call in using the Germantown phone number on the Zoom link.

Dr. Richard Bell is a Professor of History at the University of Maryland. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and is author of the new online course America’s Long Struggle Against Slavery which you can find at TheGreatCourses.com/RichardBell, and the new book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home which is shortlisted for the George Washington Prize.

Register here: https://worcesterlibrary.libcal.com/event/6878526