Alexander Hamilton . . . if you haven’t heard his name, then it is likely that you have not been on the Internet as of late.  The musical has been discussed on every news platform both paper and virtual. The recently released book about the musical, “Hamilton: The Revolution” or the “Hamiltome” as it is called by fans, is also now a staple on bookstore shelves.

“Hamilton” was written by Twitter-famous Tony award winner, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who calls the titular character “homeboy.” The story chronicles Alexander Hamilton’s life from his childhood in the Caribbean to his tragic demise in a duel with his “frenemy” Aaron Burr.

According to published reports, Miranda became inspired to write the musical after picking up “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow while in a rush at the airport. “I couldn’t put it down,” Miranda said while on the “Rachael Ray Show.”

Miranda has said that he launched a search to see if anyone had done something similar. He found an obscure 1931 movie and an equally obscure broadway show in 1917. Not anticipating any conflict, he worked on his project extensively, even while on a train ride to a friend’s birthday party.

Later, Miranda was invited to the White House in 2009 for the Evening of Poetry, Music and Spoken Word. Instead of performing a song from his earlier work, “In the Heights,” he decided to sing a part from the “Hamilton Mixtape,” his work-in-progress which would later become “Hamilton.” A nervous Lin-Manuel Miranda got up on stage. He subsequently proclaimed,  “I’m going to sing about someone that I think embodies hip-hop, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton.” The audience, including President Barack Obama, laughed, but they probably didn’t realize the joke that caused them to chuckle is the brilliance of “Hamilton.” It steers away from the “norm” of Broadway shows and their big spectacle 11-o’clock numbers. (Numbers that occur late in the second act of a theater show to “revive” the audience’s zeal). In Hamilton, most every song is an 11-o’clock number. You can’t help but sit with your mouth agape whether watching clips from the performance on Youtube in the comfort of your home  or in the stunning Richard Rodgers theater in New York City.

As a lifetime U.S. history lover and as a diligent AP® U.S. History student, I believe that Hamilton is vital in today’s world, most importantly in this fiery presidential election. Hamilton’s release is making all sorts of people turn their attention to both politics and U.S. history. Yes, the image of the Founding Fathers rapping and breakdancing is humorous. But more importantly, on stage, it makes them seem human, rather than the perception of distant historical figures in pompous white wigs that is typical in today’s world.

In conclusion, “Hamilton’s” appearance on Broadway has changed the nation for the better. It is changing the landscape of Broadway by making it no longer strictly prim and proper. If you have been fortunate enough to walk the hallowed halls of the Richard Rodgers theater, consider yourself lucky as tickets have been difficult to nab. For those that haven’t already done so, do yourself a favor and download the soundtrack and educate yourself, all without even knowing it.