The musical is a wonderful adaptation of the traditional opera to what Jade and I are calling Hip-HOpera! It is entirely rapped or sung – truly a feat of ingenious writing, performance, and staging.
It’s not very accurate historically – as it uses a lot of “legends” or “myths” about the founders. And, even though it’s almost entirely casted by people of color, there are no characters in the play being represented that were any color but white. So to have POC represent white slaveholders or to investigate the human condition through the specifics of white culture is to deny the humanity of the people playing the part. How can we see Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, and others as slave holders if they are black? How can we appreciate the oppressive role of POC in society during that time – or even celebrate those who were white and in power who were fighting for the emancipation of the slaves? Aaron Burr comes to mind as he had slaves – but also fought for their emancipation at the state and federal level. So a conundrum that cannot be embraced as a part of his journey when played by a black actor.
As you know, the songs are so catchy they really stick in the mind. The actor who plays King George, Jonathan Groff, kills it – and why? To a certain extent it’s because he’s white. A Black king George wouldn’t have had the same effect. He is truly my favorite character – mostly because he plays the mythology to a T! No pretense, just humor and fun about the American myth of the British monarchy. I’m not attempting to
Mac's Adventure 