Grasping the Complicity and Multiplicity of Hamilton: An American Musical: Genre Circulation and the Politics of Pop Culture Pedagogy

Abstract

In the Summer of 2020, five years after Hamilton hit Broadway, The Walt Disney Studios published the following pitch for its filmed version, drawing attention specifically to the societal impact of this juggernaut pop culture product:Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and show tunes, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theater-a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. (IMDb) This description links exactly the concerns of my essay: the role genre plays for how the musical has been able to engage with different societal arenas, and in particular with pedagogy.