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| Hamilton v Trump: visions for America from a Broadway show – and a showman | Hamilton v Trump: visions for America from a Broadway show – and a showman |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Not long after he became the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama hosted a poetry jam in the White House. One performer took the mic and tried out a song “about the life of somebody who embodies hip-hop – treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton”. He got a laugh. | Not long after he became the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama hosted a poetry jam in the White House. One performer took the mic and tried out a song “about the life of somebody who embodies hip-hop – treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton”. He got a laugh. |
| In the years that followed, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s wildly improbable concept grew into the musical Hamilton, winner of numerous awards and the hottest ticket in world theatre. This week, he returned to the east room and performed highlights from the production. Michelle Obama recalled the first time she saw the show, saying: “It was simply, as I tell everybody, the best piece of art in any form that I have ever seen in my life.” | |
| Listening with pride was Miranda’s father Luis, who was born in the American commonwealth of Puerto Rico. “I’m sitting there as she’s saying that, and I am saying, ‘Oh my God, the first lady of this country believes that my son produced the best work of art of all forms that she has ever seen!’” he told the Observer. “In moments like that I pinch myself to make sure I’m actually awake.” | Listening with pride was Miranda’s father Luis, who was born in the American commonwealth of Puerto Rico. “I’m sitting there as she’s saying that, and I am saying, ‘Oh my God, the first lady of this country believes that my son produced the best work of art of all forms that she has ever seen!’” he told the Observer. “In moments like that I pinch myself to make sure I’m actually awake.” |
| But 900 miles away on the day the first lady’s comments were made, there was a very different tone on a very different stage. Donald Trump walked out to a packed, fevered crowd that aggressively ejected dissenters. He promised that, should he become president, he will build a wall along the Mexican border and make Mexico pay for it. “You watch and that wall will go up like magic,” he said to raucous cheers in Tampa, Florida. | |
| Outside in the sunshine, placard-waving demonstrators sang, “Build a wall, build it high, let’s put Donald Trump inside!” and “T-R-U-M-P, that’s how you spell bigotry!” The Republican frontrunner’s predominantly white supporters glared, made obscene gestures or yelled back, “Build the wall!” and “Trump, Trump, Trump!” | Outside in the sunshine, placard-waving demonstrators sang, “Build a wall, build it high, let’s put Donald Trump inside!” and “T-R-U-M-P, that’s how you spell bigotry!” The Republican frontrunner’s predominantly white supporters glared, made obscene gestures or yelled back, “Build the wall!” and “Trump, Trump, Trump!” |
| Then in a clear, determined voice, one young Latino woman quoted the poem emblazoned on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor …” Another chimed in: “Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” | Then in a clear, determined voice, one young Latino woman quoted the poem emblazoned on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor …” Another chimed in: “Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” |
| It was Monday and America was the country of Hamilton and Trump – the culture gap had never seemed so wide. There were the liberals who spoke for inclusivity, wistful feelings for the Obama years, and fear or panic of what might come next. Then there were thousands of the angry, the frustrated and the thwarted, putting their faith in a showman plutocrat and his promises to make America great again. | It was Monday and America was the country of Hamilton and Trump – the culture gap had never seemed so wide. There were the liberals who spoke for inclusivity, wistful feelings for the Obama years, and fear or panic of what might come next. Then there were thousands of the angry, the frustrated and the thwarted, putting their faith in a showman plutocrat and his promises to make America great again. |
| Related: Yes, he tried: what will Barack Obama's legacy be? | Related: Yes, he tried: what will Barack Obama's legacy be? |
| Hamilton tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an 18th-century immigrant who joined the band of founding fathers. Through an ingenious blend of rap, pop and jazz, the musical charts his rise from illegitimate birth in poverty, in the Caribbean, to George Washington’s aide-de-camp and the first secretary of the treasury. The climax: his spectacular death at the hands of vice-president Aaron Burr in a duel. | Hamilton tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an 18th-century immigrant who joined the band of founding fathers. Through an ingenious blend of rap, pop and jazz, the musical charts his rise from illegitimate birth in poverty, in the Caribbean, to George Washington’s aide-de-camp and the first secretary of the treasury. The climax: his spectacular death at the hands of vice-president Aaron Burr in a duel. |
| “In the character of Hamilton,” Barack Obama said, introducing the White House performance, “a striving immigrant who escaped poverty, made his way to the New World, climbed to the top by sheer force of will and pluck and determination, Lin-Manuel saw something of his own family, and every immigrant family.” | “In the character of Hamilton,” Barack Obama said, introducing the White House performance, “a striving immigrant who escaped poverty, made his way to the New World, climbed to the top by sheer force of will and pluck and determination, Lin-Manuel saw something of his own family, and every immigrant family.” |
| The musical has become something of an obsession among east coast literati, and fans include entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates and former vice-president Dick Cheney. More people talk about it than have actually seen it, although the soundtrack has become a surprise hit and is being used in schoolrooms. | The musical has become something of an obsession among east coast literati, and fans include entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates and former vice-president Dick Cheney. More people talk about it than have actually seen it, although the soundtrack has become a surprise hit and is being used in schoolrooms. |
| Last September it caught the eye of the New Yorker, which published an essay: Why Donald Trump and Jeb Bush should see “Hamilton”. “With its youthful, almost entirely non-Caucasian cast, and its celebration of the possibilities inherent in building a new nation, the poetry of Hamilton is a reminder of the gleaming sense of hope that the election of 2008 engendered,” the essay read. At that time, it noted, Hillary Clinton was the only presidential candidate known to have attended. | |
| Luis Miranda, a 61-year-old Democratic party consultant, also finds it “symbolic” that his son’s work has run parallel with the Obama presidency. “Here we were [at the poetry jam in 2009] and the enthusiasm and euphoria that represented for the entire country and for minority communities in particular,” he said. | Luis Miranda, a 61-year-old Democratic party consultant, also finds it “symbolic” that his son’s work has run parallel with the Obama presidency. “Here we were [at the poetry jam in 2009] and the enthusiasm and euphoria that represented for the entire country and for minority communities in particular,” he said. |
| “And then here we are, the last year of the administration, presenting a full musical of the story of this country told by a Puerto Rican, and portrayed by a multiethnic and multiracial cast with [portraits of] Martha Washington and George Washington on each side of the room, and President Obama sitting in the audience. It’s mind boggling. It’s mind blowing.” | “And then here we are, the last year of the administration, presenting a full musical of the story of this country told by a Puerto Rican, and portrayed by a multiethnic and multiracial cast with [portraits of] Martha Washington and George Washington on each side of the room, and President Obama sitting in the audience. It’s mind boggling. It’s mind blowing.” |
| The New Yorker essay presciently highlighted two lines from the show that have come to resonate during a helter-skelter election season. Hamilton is told, “Ya best g’wan run back where ya come from,” but he makes the case, “Immigrants, we get the job done.” | The New Yorker essay presciently highlighted two lines from the show that have come to resonate during a helter-skelter election season. Hamilton is told, “Ya best g’wan run back where ya come from,” but he makes the case, “Immigrants, we get the job done.” |
| Trump kicked off his campaign last June with a charge that Mexico is sending its “criminals” and “rapists” to the US, “and some, I assume, are good people”. His promise to build the wall is a perennial crowd pleaser, and he has also vowed to round up and deport 11 million undocumented people. Claiming to speak for the silent majority, he takes, and relishes, every chance to denounce a culture of “political correctness”. | |
| In Tampa, Trump’s rally had plenty of theatrics – he was introduced by former governor Sarah Palin – but also its usual undercurrent of menace and violence. When an African American woman sitting by an Observer reporter stood on her chair and ripped up a Trump placard, she was immediately bundled out of the room. Another woman confronted her, pressing her face close, remonstrating furiously. | In Tampa, Trump’s rally had plenty of theatrics – he was introduced by former governor Sarah Palin – but also its usual undercurrent of menace and violence. When an African American woman sitting by an Observer reporter stood on her chair and ripped up a Trump placard, she was immediately bundled out of the room. Another woman confronted her, pressing her face close, remonstrating furiously. |
| Standing in line before the event, Anthony Arnold, 45, a publisher, said he believed the mogul spoke the truth. “Most of the time Trump is speaking from factual evidence,” he said. “All the political correctness says you can’t offend anybody. But when you say this or that group commits the crime, they shouldn’t be offended. It’s data. He just says it.” | Standing in line before the event, Anthony Arnold, 45, a publisher, said he believed the mogul spoke the truth. “Most of the time Trump is speaking from factual evidence,” he said. “All the political correctness says you can’t offend anybody. But when you say this or that group commits the crime, they shouldn’t be offended. It’s data. He just says it.” |
| Margaret Braun, 73, a retired teacher in a wheelchair, travelled two hours to be here. “He’s not racist,” she said. “I think we should have a wall. He has strength on the economy and is not affiliated with the establishment.” | Margaret Braun, 73, a retired teacher in a wheelchair, travelled two hours to be here. “He’s not racist,” she said. “I think we should have a wall. He has strength on the economy and is not affiliated with the establishment.” |
| Trump supporters are numerous, defiant and devout. They point to wage stagnation, outsourced jobs and hollowed out communities and a need for change. At another rally in Boca Raton, Florida, Debbie Finley said she trusted Trump to make real change. | Trump supporters are numerous, defiant and devout. They point to wage stagnation, outsourced jobs and hollowed out communities and a need for change. At another rally in Boca Raton, Florida, Debbie Finley said she trusted Trump to make real change. |
| “I’m a recruiter and I see a lot of visa applications” she said. “I think he will make all of that better and help the people back to work. How can he have such beautiful children and not be a great guy?” | “I’m a recruiter and I see a lot of visa applications” she said. “I think he will make all of that better and help the people back to work. How can he have such beautiful children and not be a great guy?” |
| For others it’s a question of near biblical proportions. “Hillary Clinton really is evil,” said Teresa Kinan, a 56-year-old caretaker who moved to the US from Portugal two decades ago. “I love Donald Trump because somebody has to do something for this country and nobody else will do it. If people don’t like him, they should go home.” | For others it’s a question of near biblical proportions. “Hillary Clinton really is evil,” said Teresa Kinan, a 56-year-old caretaker who moved to the US from Portugal two decades ago. “I love Donald Trump because somebody has to do something for this country and nobody else will do it. If people don’t like him, they should go home.” |
| Trump won the Florida primary with nearly 46% of the vote. Marco Rubio, the Republican establishment’s last hope, finished with 27% in his home state, and dropped out of the race. Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee defeated by Obama four years ago, has excoriated Trump in no uncertain terms, writing on Facebook: “Trumpism has become associated with racism, misogyny, bigotry, xenophobia, vulgarity and, most recently, threats and violence. I am repulsed by each and every one of these.” | Trump won the Florida primary with nearly 46% of the vote. Marco Rubio, the Republican establishment’s last hope, finished with 27% in his home state, and dropped out of the race. Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee defeated by Obama four years ago, has excoriated Trump in no uncertain terms, writing on Facebook: “Trumpism has become associated with racism, misogyny, bigotry, xenophobia, vulgarity and, most recently, threats and violence. I am repulsed by each and every one of these.” |
| Back at the White House, Lin-Manuel Miranda performed a freestyle rap with the first black president in the Rose Garden: the symbolism of a modern, diverse, inclusive, creative, idealistic America could hardly have been more vivid. So how can it be, liberals ask, that the elegant Obamas might soon make way for a brash orange-hued billionaire whose helicopter lands to the music from a 90s action movie booming over loudspeakers? (The chopper is announced as “Trump Force One”.) | Back at the White House, Lin-Manuel Miranda performed a freestyle rap with the first black president in the Rose Garden: the symbolism of a modern, diverse, inclusive, creative, idealistic America could hardly have been more vivid. So how can it be, liberals ask, that the elegant Obamas might soon make way for a brash orange-hued billionaire whose helicopter lands to the music from a 90s action movie booming over loudspeakers? (The chopper is announced as “Trump Force One”.) |
| For some, it is not a mystery in a society riven by inequality and discontent. Anthony Giardina, author of The City of Conversation, a play that explores three decades of Washington politics, said: “All you have to do is drive through this country and get out of the pockets of affluence. | |
| “You get a feeling of what it might be like for someone who feels the country has been taken away from them. They expected a certain kind of life and what they see celebrated is another kind of life. Someone comes along and speaks to them, and of course it has appeal.” | “You get a feeling of what it might be like for someone who feels the country has been taken away from them. They expected a certain kind of life and what they see celebrated is another kind of life. Someone comes along and speaks to them, and of course it has appeal.” |
| This theme was also explored by the senior Miranda, who consulted on Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer’s Senate campaigns. “I believe that there is a chunk of America that is very angry,” he said. “In my humble opinion it’s because we are not creating the middle class that has been created over the last hundred years, and we no longer see that our kids can do better than us, and that’s very frustrating. | This theme was also explored by the senior Miranda, who consulted on Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer’s Senate campaigns. “I believe that there is a chunk of America that is very angry,” he said. “In my humble opinion it’s because we are not creating the middle class that has been created over the last hundred years, and we no longer see that our kids can do better than us, and that’s very frustrating. |
| “You work all of your life, you work very hard, and you were given the promise, because you saw it with your parents, that they are going to be better off than you, and that is just not happening. | “You work all of your life, you work very hard, and you were given the promise, because you saw it with your parents, that they are going to be better off than you, and that is just not happening. |
| Miranda said he understands the anger, “but I assure you that is not the lady who’s cleaning toilets at the Marriott’s that’s causing that. | Miranda said he understands the anger, “but I assure you that is not the lady who’s cleaning toilets at the Marriott’s that’s causing that. |
| “To be angry with the lady cleaning toilets at the Marriott and make her responsible for our inability as a country to create a middle class over the last 35 years is unjust and is blaming the victim.” | “To be angry with the lady cleaning toilets at the Marriott and make her responsible for our inability as a country to create a middle class over the last 35 years is unjust and is blaming the victim.” |
| Trumpism represents a denial of America’s shifting demographics, Miranda believes, as white working class males lose their dominance. “It’s just sad that a segment of the Republican party is still there. For them the ‘good old days’ were when there was no diversity. The sad part about it is that those days are gone. | Trumpism represents a denial of America’s shifting demographics, Miranda believes, as white working class males lose their dominance. “It’s just sad that a segment of the Republican party is still there. For them the ‘good old days’ were when there was no diversity. The sad part about it is that those days are gone. |
| “I wish I had more hair in the front of my head but that hair is gone, it’s not coming back, it’s not going to grow. So for me it’s like a puzzle: you want to go back to a country that cannot exist any more rather than help build the one that brings the energy, the talent, the intelligence of the many new people that are here.” | “I wish I had more hair in the front of my head but that hair is gone, it’s not coming back, it’s not going to grow. So for me it’s like a puzzle: you want to go back to a country that cannot exist any more rather than help build the one that brings the energy, the talent, the intelligence of the many new people that are here.” |
| That vision of America, he said, was one part of Hamilton’s relevance. Another was that it presents “our founding fathers as normal dudes, as people who were brilliant but that they were petty also, and insulted each other and fought with each other but, at the end, put the good of the country first.” | That vision of America, he said, was one part of Hamilton’s relevance. Another was that it presents “our founding fathers as normal dudes, as people who were brilliant but that they were petty also, and insulted each other and fought with each other but, at the end, put the good of the country first.” |
| Not everything about Alexander Hamilton and Donald Trump is like chalk and cheese. Each was the son of a Scot and lived in New York. Both were outsiders taking on political elites. In the show, Thomas Jefferson denigrates Hamilton: “Smells like new money, dresses like fake royalty”. Trump’s gilded age mansion in Florida, Mar-a-Lago, has been described as a kitsch version of Versailles. | Not everything about Alexander Hamilton and Donald Trump is like chalk and cheese. Each was the son of a Scot and lived in New York. Both were outsiders taking on political elites. In the show, Thomas Jefferson denigrates Hamilton: “Smells like new money, dresses like fake royalty”. Trump’s gilded age mansion in Florida, Mar-a-Lago, has been described as a kitsch version of Versailles. |
| But the similarities, historical or artistic, pretty much end there. “Trump’s ability to stir emotions around the wall and Mexicans is the opposite of Hamilton, which has this hopeful message that immigrants can do anything,” said Amy Austin, president of theatreWashington. “That’s what America is. Hamilton is so aspirational. Trump doesn’t have anything aspirational for the whole country.” | But the similarities, historical or artistic, pretty much end there. “Trump’s ability to stir emotions around the wall and Mexicans is the opposite of Hamilton, which has this hopeful message that immigrants can do anything,” said Amy Austin, president of theatreWashington. “That’s what America is. Hamilton is so aspirational. Trump doesn’t have anything aspirational for the whole country.” |
| Austin said her sons, born in Guatemala, are “worried” by Trump but she has faith that his version of America will not prevail in November’s election. “When Barack Obama was elected, there was such an amount of optimism and hope and a sense that the country was moving forward,” she said. “I believe the country still holds its principles dear and Trump doesn’t stand for many of those principles.” | Austin said her sons, born in Guatemala, are “worried” by Trump but she has faith that his version of America will not prevail in November’s election. “When Barack Obama was elected, there was such an amount of optimism and hope and a sense that the country was moving forward,” she said. “I believe the country still holds its principles dear and Trump doesn’t stand for many of those principles.” |
| Indeed, the split in America is not necessarily six of one, half a dozen of the other. “There’s a certain hysteria, including among some of the liberals in America, that this represents the majority of the country,” said Frank Rich, writer-at-large at New York magazine, of Trump’s support. “If you look at any kind of polling, it just doesn’t.” | Indeed, the split in America is not necessarily six of one, half a dozen of the other. “There’s a certain hysteria, including among some of the liberals in America, that this represents the majority of the country,” said Frank Rich, writer-at-large at New York magazine, of Trump’s support. “If you look at any kind of polling, it just doesn’t.” |
| As for Trump’s bizarre showmanship, Rich, former theatre critic for the New York Times, offered a review unlikely to prompt a run at the box office. “Compared to Nuremberg rallies, second rate, third tier,” he said. “He’s more the lounge act than the main attraction.” | As for Trump’s bizarre showmanship, Rich, former theatre critic for the New York Times, offered a review unlikely to prompt a run at the box office. “Compared to Nuremberg rallies, second rate, third tier,” he said. “He’s more the lounge act than the main attraction.” |