Wednesday, May 1, 2019

May IWSG


May. Wait a minute?! Wasn't it February about five minutes ago? Where does the time go? Who is stealing it? While I try to orient myself to the fact that it's spring, let's take a moment to thank the host of the IWSG, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and his dedicated band of co-hosts: Lee Lowery, Juneta Key,Yvonne Ventresca, and T. Powell Coltrin!

May's optional question:

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?



Globe Theatre


I'll pick 10th grade English class and our Shakespeare project. I decided to build a model of the Globe Theater circa 1600. It took forever to construct, was incredibly fiddly and awkward, and a real pain-in-the-butt to get to school. (But it did have a working trap door on stage.) Even though I got an A on the project, it wasn't the class favorite.


Instead, another student took Marc Antony's speech beginning "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears," from Julius Caesar, and reinterpreted it with a modern rap/hip-hop style. His delivery blew us (and the teacher) away. Afterwards we all cheered and clapped. I wish I could remember some of it.

This guy, named of Lin-Manuel...something would later grow up to



Image: Wikipedia

Just kidding. It wasn't him. 

But I did have the incredible privilege to see the touring version of the musical Hamilton last Saturday and, wow. Talk about the power of language! (Not to mention song.) The hype is true; this is a masterpiece of story-telling. 

There are many things to love about this production, but a few things stand out to the writer in me. There is a scene in which George Washington, dressed in black, is admonishing Alexander for defending Washington's honor. Washington is interested in winning the Revolutionary War; he doesn't care what people are saying behind his back. During their argument, Hamilton warns Washington numerous times not to call him "son".

Later, in the second act, the table turns. (Which is fitting as there's an actual turn-table covering most of the stage floor.) Hamilton finds himself in Washington's role. Dressed in black, he admonishes his actual son not to defend his name against detractors. It's a great moment of symmetry. 


Hamiliton



Another pivotal role reversal occurs in Hamilton's relationship to his wife, Eliza, that is especially poignant. Early in the marriage, Eliza is put in the role of begging for Hamilton's attention, just hoping to "be enough", while he focusses on his work. Later, after their marriage falls apart, he is the one left begging her for forgiveness, echoing the words "be enough". It's heart-breaking.

My favorite song was Dear Theodosia because it is beautiful, and I was lucky enough to see the original cast member, Leslie Odom, Jr. (who played Aaron Burr, sir) sing it in concert back in January.

_________


Have you seen Hamilton? Have a favorite character and/or song? 


22 comments:

  1. I haven't seen it but I know those who have are very passionate about it.

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  2. I haven't seen it, but it seems like almost everyone who has seen it has loved it.

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  3. I, too, wonder how it got to be May so quickly! Great seque into Hamilton. I haven't seen it, but it sounds amazing.

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  4. I caught a snippet of the production on an entertainment/arts segment on television... and from the little I saw, was so impressed.
    I really wish I could see the show.

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  5. I would love to see Hamilton. Everyone who does raves about it.

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  6. Haven't seen it. Not really my style.
    I bet your Globe Theater was really cool though.

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  7. One day I'll get to see Hamilton. It definitely sounds like it inspired you. :)

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  8. Wasn't it February five minutes ago? I second that!
    Love Hamilton! I saw it in New York almost two years ago. I would have killed, I mean, loved to see the original cast but I did not have the money! I had to wait for it...*snicker*

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  9. You had me for a minute there about the student in your class. I've heard that Hamilton is really good. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  10. I remember when I reinvented the marching song for a group project for history class in 7th grade. I forgot what it was about, though, but my group got the popular vote for that.

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  11. I haven't seen Hamilton yet but hope to, soon.

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  12. I haven't seen the show, and probably wouldn't. Nobody brings Broadway hits to Vancouver, Canada. Maybe one of our companies will stage it some time in the future.

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  13. I haven't seen Hamilton. Sounds like you and your classmate were very creative.

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  14. I haven't seen Hamilton yet, but if you are ever in Southern Utah, check out the Adam Theater at Southern Utah University--it is a replica of the Globe and they do Shakespeare plays there in the summer.

    www.thepulpitandthepen.com

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  15. Sounds like cool school project to me. Shakespeare certainly understood the power of words and your classmate understood the power of public speaking. Never seen Hamilton. I went to see a few Shakespeare plays at University near us when I was younger. I enjoyed them. Happy IWSG

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  16. I've heard Hamilton is great. I hope to see it performed some day, probably with my kids because they share my love for musicals.

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  17. Nope, haven't seen it yet, but I've heard a lot of good things about it. I remembered building a Globe too! I think it was 7/8 grade, though. I only remember how badly I wanted to get the detail just right, and how nothing I glued ever seemed to come out as straight as I'd liked. Thanks for the memory!

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  18. Haven't seen Hamilton, but it sounds very powerful. You totally had me going when you said your classmate turned out to be...that would have made a great story!

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  19. The days and months seem to just fly by. I have so much I want to get done, it feels like I could work and work and never catch up. I think that's why time is flying so fast.

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  20. I tried to get tickets to Hamilton when it first came to Denver, but it sold out before I got through the queue. I hear it's coming back, but at this point I figure I'll wait until things calm down before I try again.

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  21. I've always wanted to see Hamilton and that song, Dear Theodosia is beautiful. I haven't visited your blog in awhile and I really enjoy it. I've seen a few plays in NYC that had original casts (Wicked, The King and I, Lion King), and if I lived there, I'd be broke and homeless but I'd get to see more plays. Thanks for the good work on your blog. I really enjoy it.

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I will do everything in my power to visit commenter's blogs unless I've been abducted by aliens or my children get sick. (If my children get abducted by aliens, I will be very busy, of course, catching up on my sleep.)