Description

This scholarly exploration of Hamilton encourages audiences to interpret this popular culture force in a new way by revealing that the musical confronts conventional perceptions of American history, racial equity, and political power. Contributors explore the ways in which the musical offers social commentary on issues such as immigration and gender equity, as well as how Hamilton re-considers the roles of theatre in making social statements, especially relating to the narrator, the curtain speech, and musical traditions. Several chapters directly address recent controversies and conversations surrounding Hamilton, including the #CancelHamilton trend on social media, the musical's depiction of slavery, and its intersections with the Black Lives Matter movement. Employing multiple novel theoretical approaches and perspectives—including public memory, feminist rhetorical criticism, disability studies, and sound studies— The Revolutionary Rhetoric of Hamilton reveals new insights about this beloved show for scholars of theatre studies, media studies, communication studies, and fans alike.

Table of Contents

Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction: Turning the World Upside Down
Nancy J. Legge, Jacob Justice, and Luke Winslow

Section I: Revelations About History
1“If You Had to Choose”: Hamilton, Public Memory, and the Hamilton-Jefferson Rivalry
Talya Peri Slaw and Jacob Justice
2Washington Says Good-bye: Examining 'One Last Time' through Public Memory
Jessica L. Gehrke
3The Rhetorical Significance of John Laurens in Hamilton: An American Musical
Nancy J. Legge
4Da Da Dada Da: The Discourse of the Mad Monarch
Sarah Mayberry Scott

Section II: Revelations About Race
5 Casting as a Rhetorical Act: Color-Purposeful Casting and Hamilton's Anti-White
Casting Call
Ailea G. Merriam-Pigg
6 Hamilton's Revolutionary Aesthetic: Race, Hip hop, and the American Style
Luke Winslow and Jonathan Veal
7 Hamilton, Social Revolution, and the Black Lives Matter Movement
Caleb George Hubbard

Section III: Revelations About Socio-Political Issues
8 Immigrants: Getting the Job Done Then and Now
Judith P. Ro

Product details

Published 09 Sep 2022
Format Hardback
Edition 1st
Extent 236
ISBN 9781666914443
Imprint Lexington Books
Dimensions 237 x 159 mm
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Anthology Editor

Luke Winslow

Anthology Editor

Nancy J. Legge

Anthology Editor

Jacob Justice

Contributor

Max Dosser

Contributor

Jacob Justice

Contributor

Nancy J. Legge

Contributor

Ryan Louis

Contributor

Kevin Pabst

Contributor

Talya Peri Slaw

Contributor

Erika M. Thomas

Contributor

Jonathan Veal

Contributor

Luke Winslow

ONLINE RESOURCES

Bloomsbury Collections

This book is available on Bloomsbury Collections where your library has access.

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