Music director extraordinaire, SiriusXM host, and Playbill columnist Seth Rudetsky is back with another deconstruction, this time tackling Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony– and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Hamilton.
But, Rudetsky says, “Before you even watch this deconstruction... You’re not allowed to obsess about Hamilton until you’ve completely memorized In The Heights.”
Rudetsky has deconstructed dozens of performers, individual songs, and the repertoires of songwriters, including Dear Evan Hansen’s “Waving Through a Window” and Lillias White’s rendition of “Don’t Rain On My Parade” from Funny Girl. This time, Rudetsky breaks down “The Schuyler Sisters” because, as he says, “I'm obsessed with ladies and belting and harmonies and whatnot.”
From Miranda’s rhythms, lyrics, and melodies to Alex Lacamoire’s orchestrations to Leslie Odom Jr.’s diction to the sassafrass of Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica, Phillipa Soo as Eliza, Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy, and the full company, Rudetsky digs deep into the nuance to help listeners fully appreciate all of the ingredients of the song.
Rudetsky points out references to Miranda’s earlier works, the influences from other composers, similarities between other recordings, and more. Watch the full video above for your Hamilton education.