Hamilton: The Revolution

by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeremy McCarter Narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mariska Hargitay, Jeremy McCarter

Overview

A backstage pass to the groundbreaking, hit musical Hamilton, winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Eleven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, including the award-winning libretto, behind-the-scenes photos and interviews, and exclusive footnotes from composer-lyricist-star Lin-Manuel Miranda, now streaming on Disney+ with the original cast.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical Hamilton is as revolutionary as its subject, the poor kid from the Caribbean who fought the British, defended the Constitution, and helped to found the United States. Fusing hip-hop, pop, R&B, and the best traditions of theater, this once-in-a-generation show broadens the sound of Broadway, reveals the storytelling power of rap, and claims our country's origins for a diverse new generation.

Hamilton: The Revolution gives readers an unprecedented view of both revolutions, from the only two writers able to provide it. Miranda, along with Jeremy McCarter, a cultural critic and theater artist who was involved in the project from its earliest stages -- "since before this was even a show," according to Miranda -- traces its development from an improbable performance at the White House to its landmark opening night on Broadway six years later. In addition, Miranda has written more than 200 funny, revealing footnotes for his award-winning libretto, the full text of which is published here.

Their account features photos by the renowned Frank Ockenfels and veteran Broadway photographer, Joan Marcus; exclusive looks at notebooks and emails; interviews with Questlove, Stephen Sondheim, leading political commentators, and more than 50 people involved with the production; and multiple appearances by President Obama himself. The book does more than tell the surprising story of how a Broadway musical became a national phenomenon: It demonstrates that America has always been renewed by the brash upstarts and brilliant outsiders, the men and women who don't throw away their shot.

Editorial Reviews

B&N Reads

4/19/2016
Until now, those unlucky enough to live too far away from the Great White Way (or who live and work maddeningly close but haven’t yet managed to sell their first-born child in order to afford scalper pricing) have had to content themselves with putting the soundtrack album on repeat. No more! Now, we can also read Hamilton: The Revolution, an exhaustive script book/behind-the-scenes journey that’s almost as good as a front-row seat. (Or that’s what we’re telling ourselves, anyway). Read More

AudioFile

Mariska Hargitay takes on the role of warm documentarian in her narration of Hamilton…Listeners will need to follow along in the accompanying PDF when listening to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s footnotes on the libretto, which make up the last hour of the recording. That being said, it’s so much fun hearing them lift off the page, by turns serious and playful, in his voice. It’s fascinating listening for Broadway aficionados and an essential deep dive for Hamilton fans.”

Barnes&Noble.com

“Hamilton is a phenomenon like no other—not since Les Misérables has a Broadway show so captured the attention of our pop culture consciousness. As its subtitle suggests, this book is the closest we’re likely to come to an encapsulation of what was, and is, a revolutionary work of art. From the odd behind-the-curtain trivia, to an outlining of the debts the libretto owes to the greats of hip-hop, to the breathless accounts of the off-Broadway run and the phenomenal success of the Broadway debut, it’s an irresistible, almost giddy account of an seismic event in entertainment history.”

APRIL 2016 - AudioFile

Mariska Hargitay takes on the role of warm documentarian in her narration of this behind-the-scenes look at the cultural phenomenon that is HAMILTON. Hargitay is an able guide through the chronology of its run at The Public Theater, the recording of the cast album, and the move to Broadway, as well as details, many quite personal, of the writing, casting, composing, choreography, and more. Listeners will need to follow along in the print book or accompanying PDF when listening to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s footnotes on the libretto, which make up the last hour of the recording. That said, it’s SO much fun hearing them lift off the page, by turns serious and playful, in his voice. It’s fascinating listening for Broadway aficionados and an essential deep dive for HAMILTON fans. J.M.D. 2017 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170322381
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	04/12/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

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