Everybody met at the main entrance of the school. An excited buzz could be felt in the air as Ms. Ronalds counted students when they arrived. This was the night that we went to see Hamilton. Everyone had been talking about it all week. Before long, the bus arrived and the students loaded in, finding and sitting with their friends. After what seemed like no time, we arrived outside of the theater. We took pictures under the marquee and slowly crowded into the theater.
Hamilton was a great experience! We were able to see it for free since Ms. Ronalds arranged for it to be a school trip. This was my second time seeing Hamilton, the first time being back in March 2021. It was not the original broadway cast, but it was still a great show! The music was electrifying and I could feel every bass drop in my stomach. My friend, Abby, and I were singing along almost the entire time. Before long, the show ended and we slowly exited the theater. We went around to the back entrance as the actors came out and we got our programs signed!! I interviewed Mrs. Ronalds, the history teacher who arranged this trip, and asked her a few things about the show.
“How many times have you seen Hamilton?”
“I’ve seen it twice”
“What was your favorite part of the show?”
“There were so many parts [of the musical] that stood out to me between the acting and the way that props were used and the music that it’s really hard to pick one. I think probably one of the parts that’s kind of repeating in my head is after the duel with Alexander Hamilton’s son because that absolutely, even though I knew it was coming, it broke my heart.”
”What are you most excited to share with your classes?”
“Well, as far as like using the musical in my classes, we haven’t quite gotten to that point in the curriculum yet, but I have actually used clips from Hamilton in the past. One of my favorites to use is Cabinet Battle #1 where Hamilton and Jefferson are talking about the bank of the United States. We used that to look at not only Hamilton’s plan, but the relationship between Jefferson and Hamilton.”
““What inspired you to get this trip set up?”
“Well actually, I had never seen Hamilton before when I heard that Hamilton was coming to the Landmark, and I’ve used clips, seen bits and pieces, but never the whole thing, and so I thought it’d be a really amazing opportunity to be able to bring students who might be in the same boat. Maybe they were interested, but didn’t [maybe] have the means to get to the Landmark or to get to downtown Syracuse to see that. With the connection to US History, it just seemed like a great fit to be able to look for an opportunity to do that.”
“Do you have any recommendations for other history themed musicals?”
“Well, Les Miserablé is always a great one. That was at the Landmark I think several years ago at this point, and actually I took students from a different school district to go and see that. I’m actually not too familiar with some of the more current [like newer] musicals and what historical tie-ins they may have, but as far as US history, Hamilton is really kind of the up and coming musical.”
I also interviewed my friend, Abby, who went on the trip with me and asked her a few things about the show too:
”How many times have you seen Hamilton?”
”I’ve seen Hamilton twice! (In person and on Disney +”
“What was your favorite part or song?”
”my favorite song is You’ll be Back”
“Who was your favorite character throughout the show?”
“King George the Third is my favorite character.”
”Was there a particular line or lyric that stuck with you afterward?”
“I’m just like my country, young, scrappy and hungry and I’m not throwing away my shot!” (And obviously, “I will kill your friends and family, to remind you of my love”)
“What songs or moments from the soundtrack were you most excited to see performed on stage?”
”You’ll be back and Burn. Seeing burn live on stage was absolutely amazing!”
Overall, this was a great experience and I’m very glad that I was able to attend this trip!
(PS. Thank you to Mrs. Ronalds and Abby for being willing to be interviewed)
