Last night, PBS premiered “Hamilton’s America,” a feature documentary that takes audiences behind-the-scenes of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s critically-acclaimed, award-winning stage production, “Hamilton.”
The documentary follows Miranda, his crew and cast during the two years leading up to the musical’s Broadway opening, and aired as part of PBS’ “Great Performances” series. The network has made the entire documentary available to watch online, so make it a part of your weekend viewing, and check out the film below.
“On behalf of the entire ‘Hamilton’ cast and creative team, many of whom are ‘In The Heights’ alumni, we are overjoyed to be returning to PBS in partnership with RadicalMedia with this project,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator, writer and star of “Hamilton.” “We invited filmmaker Alex Horwitz into ‘the room where it happened’ a few years ago, and he’s captured parts of this journey no one has seen. We can’t wait to share it, thanks to PBS.”
Produced by RadicalMedia, “Hamilton’s America” also includes interviews with experts and prominent personalities, new footage of the production in New York, and cast-led expeditions to DC, Philadelphia and New York. Audiences will sit with Miranda as he composes songs in Aaron Burr’s Manhattan bedroom. They take a trip to Virginia with Chris Jackson – the African American actor who portrays George Washington – and watch him place a wreath on Washington’s grave, as he discusses the difficulty of grappling with our founders’ legacy of slavery. Back in New York, Miranda and Leslie Odom, Jr. – who plays Aaron Burr – visit the Museum of American Finance to get their hands on some 19th-century dueling pistols and stage a quick re-enactment.
“PBS is thrilled to give viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at this sensational – and sold out – Broadway musical,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS. “With this level of access to Lin-Manuel Miranda and his team, PBS continues to live up to our mission of giving viewers a backstage pass and a front row seat to the arts.”
“Since we presented ‘In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams’ in 2009, we’ve been taken by Lin-Manuel’s unique talents and we’re honored to collaborate with him again on ‘Hamilton’s America’,” said David Horn, Executive Producer, “Great Performances.” “The film will offer audiences a fascinating point of view as we witness first-hand Lin’s inspiration and creative process, as well as the lasting impact of Alexander Hamilton on our society today.”
Based on Ron Chernow’s biography, “Hamilton” opened on Broadway on August 6, 2015 to rave reviews and unprecedented advance ticket sales.
“Hamilton’s America” premiered last night, October 21 at 9/8c, on PBS. The full documentary is now available online. Watch it below:
