Desde cero Magazine Year 6, 8th Edition, 2019

On January 11, 2019, a new chapter in Puerto Rican theater's history was written. The production of Hamilton: The Musical rose to the scene on the island until the 27th of the same month in San Juan. For many months the producers of the Musical and the father of the play's author, Luis Manuel Miranda, were giving shape to the dream of presenting this work in Puerto Rico. Much has been said about the controversies with the Union of Workers of the University of Puerto Rico and the enormous economic collaboration of its author Lin-Manuel Miranda to the island's recovery after Hurricane Maria. However, few on the island have addressed this artistic and cultural phenomenon and how it has caused so many expectations throughout the world. 

Alexander Hamilton was one of the most controversial figures of the American Revolution (1776-1783). The beginning of the new republic was led both by George Washington. Hamilton was born on the Caribbean island on January 11, 1757, and emigrated with a scholarship to study in the British colonies in North America in 1773, one year after a hurricane hit the island. Before this, his father abandoned him when he was a child, and his mother died quite suddenly when he was only 14. Hamilton's age has always been hard to pinpoint. While some historians say that he emigrated at 16, others say he lied to enter the University (King's College). The truth is that despite not being an aristocrat, like many founding fathers, and not being a thinker to rival Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, Hamilton made his way as a war hero, authored the Federalist Documents, and also served as the first Secretary of Treasury of the new republic. The figure of a bastard, poor immigrant who made his way and became one of the founding fathers of the nation and at the same time became a famous lawyer, the founding businessman of the newspaper "The New York Post," candidate the presidency, among other achievements, has come to captivate the attention of many within America and around the world.

Lin-Manuel Miranda discovered the figure of Hamilton by accident when he was in an airport on his way to a family vacation. Hamilton's story immediately captivated him, and the challenge quickly became one of adapting it for the stage. One of the many wonders of this theatrical production is, in my view, how Lin-Manuel humanizes the figure of Hamilton in all facets of his life, not only as an immigrant but also as an ordinary person. Just the idea of bringing the possible romantic relationship between Hamilton and John Laurens (another aristocrat and war hero) is in itself edgy, even scandalous. In addition, Lin-Manuel captures Hamilton's constant struggles to excel in the revolutionary army, which enables him to win Washington's confidence. Hamilton's 1780 marriage to Elizabeth Schuyler, one of the most desired single women of the time; his extramarital relationship with Mrs. Maria Reynolds; and, his charismatic relationship with Aaron Burr, his archenemy and finally his executioner (July 11, 1804), also display how Lin-Manuel tries to help us identify with the character, and, in some way, feel empathy for him. In the end, I think Lin Manuel tries to capture the attention of all sectors of society. His avant-garde proposal where all the ethnic sectors are represented gives him a priceless value. Lin-Manuel has expressed that his scenic proposal reflects how would be the most important revolution in history if it were in these times. Hip-hop as a musical music base demonstrates the rebels' challenge to the commons. It is influenced by great artists of the urban music genre such as R & B and rap, among others. You have to do a search on digital platforms to see the number of videos and articles about this musical especially made by very young generations around the world. Alexander Hamilton, the musical is the story of one of the founding fathers and the story of all those who seek to achieve the great American dream and are at a disadvantage to achieve it.