On Monday September 29th Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the massive Broadway hit Hamilton visited Hamilton college as part of the Sacerdote Great Name Series at the Margaret Bundy Scott Field house. Among those waiting to see Miranda speak were some of New Hartford’s own teachers including Mrs. McDermott, Ms. Ellis and her son Ronnie.
High school teacher Mrs. McDermott has recently come to love Miranda.
“ Ever since coming to the high school and learning about the play Hamilton in English I have come to respect Lin-Manuel Miranda and his creativity,” Mrs. McDermott said. “ I really love how Miranda incorporates his passion of rap and hip hop throughout the play.”
Both Ms. Ellis and her son Ronnie have a love for Miranda and Hamilton as well. Ms. Ellis says she was so excited to hear that he was coming; however, she did not have high expectations of getting a ticket. Once she landed the tickets she couldn’t be more excited to attend!
“ Hamilton is one of my favorite things to watch and listen to. I have seen the Broadway production of it twice and often times watch the movie,” says Ms. Ellis’ son Ronnie. “I’ve never been able to see Miranda perform live and on stage so I was very excited that my Mom was able to score some tickets.”
Ms. Ellis thought that hearing him discuss his creative process behind the musical, and the importance of storytelling was most interesting.
“The song “Wait For It” is one of my favorites of the entire musical, so I thought it was pretty cool to hear that song came to him while he was on a train ride, and another song , “My Shot” took him over a year to write!” Ms. Ellis said.
Miranda’s creative ways are what make him and the musical Hamilton, so popular. It’s no secret that Miranda is a lyrical genius, and can show Hamilton’s story in a way that no one else has. Anyone who has seen or heard the music can tell that!
Miranda’s use of music and lyrics are what drew Ronnie Ellis to the musical and Miranda himself.
“I’m very passionate about Hamilton because I love the content and the music,” Ronnie said. “I really love how Miranda did the song ‘Guns and Ships.’ I’m very impressed how fast the rapping is!”
According the New York Theater Guide Hamilton has won 11 Tony awards, has been a global success, and surpassed $1 billion dollars in gross earnings. It’s clear to see why thousands of people flocked to small town Clinton, New York to get the honor of hearing Miranda speak!
