Hamiltonmania
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    The world seems to have split in two: those who have seen Hamilton and those who have not. The “haves” are harmoniously content, constantly singing about a “bastard orphan” and “talking less and smiling more.” The “have nots” are in two separate camps: those who are constantly entering the daily lottery, hoping to get their shot, or those who are completely disinterested and are begging their friends to shut up.

    Unfortunately for those who are over the Hamiltonmania, it has shown no sign of slowing down. Lin-Manuel Miranda is everywhere. Winning Tony Awards and reciting sonnets, writing the music for the new Disney movie, Moana, on the cover of every magazine on the shelf and being named one of The 100 Most Influential People of 2016 by Time Magazine. He has taken over every corner of pop culture, and he is arguably the most wanted man in the industry.

    The musical itself is a juggernaut. It has sparked parodies, spurred two separate albums and a won a Pulitzer on top of 11 Tonys. If you want to get tickets, you pretty much have to buy them six months in advance and even then, you will have to mortgage your house dorm to pay for them. People who forgot about the founding of America after the fifth grade history class are getting reeducated and rediscovering who Alexander Hamilton actually is (hint: not a president).

    Hamilton has changed musicals for good. An art form that was arguably dying out (You can only see Cats so many times—or preferably never at all) has suddenly taken over pop culture.

    The Hamilton cast is aware of its extreme popularity and is using this platform to push a message. After a show on Nov. 18, Brandon Victor Dixon, who is currently playing Aaron Burr in New York, read a message to Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Dixon, speaking for the cast of Hamilton, was able to say something that many Americans wish they could say to the new Trump administration. The message, written by Miranda, spoke of fears for the future and the hope that Pence and President-elect Trump will make an effort to “uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.”

    Hamilton is a historic musical in every sense of the word. Its popularity does not seem to be waning, so keep on entering that lottery and sit tight for the movie.

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