RUMOR: Lin Manuel Miranda and Weird Al to Redo Hall of Presidents

[larryz]

And there’s the challenge- almost anything you do to make history more interesting to theme park guests will push into “too political!” “Don’t lecture me!” and “revisionist history!” territory.

So that's when you get breakdancing Lincoln and Rapping Roosevelt.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Always consider the source!

I haven’t seen it but I‘m now inclined to believe Hamilton is the most historically accurate work ever produced.

 

[Archie123]

I haven’t seen it but I‘m now inclined to believe Hamilton is the most historically accurate work ever produced.

I wouldn’t go that far lol. It definitely is an original telling of facts. And I was talking about the person you were responding to.

 

[_caleb]

Lin Manuel Miranda used creative license to make the story of America’s Founding Fathers more dramatic and interesting to Broadway audiences. He definitely did his homework as he wrote the musical. Some of the things he changed (like giving Schuyler 3 daughters and no sons) were convenient to the plot and served the smaller cast.

To me, these things are less “revisionist” than having Abraham Lincoln fail to mention slavery (Great Moments), or even having Mark Twain and Ben Franklin appear as contemporaries (American Adventure).

 

[SoFloMagic]

Lin Manuel Miranda used creative license to make the story of America’s Founding Fathers more dramatic and interesting to Broadway audiences. He definitely did his homework as he wrote the musical. Some of the things he changed (like giving Schuyler 3 daughters and no sons) were convenient to the plot and served the smaller cast.

To me, these things are less “revisionist” than having Abraham Lincoln fail to mention slavery (Great Moments), or even having Mark Twain and Ben Franklin appear as contemporaries (American Adventure).

This. It's not revisionist to write a musical drama about history. Its not a high school class, it's a piece of art based on history.

 

[RobWDW1971]

Lin Manuel Miranda used creative license to make the story of America’s Founding Fathers more dramatic and interesting to Broadway audiences. He definitely did his homework as he wrote the musical. Some of the things he changed (like giving Schuyler 3 daughters and no sons) were convenient to the plot and served the smaller cast.

To me, these things are less “revisionist” than having Abraham Lincoln fail to mention slavery (Great Moments), or even having Mark Twain and Ben Franklin appear as contemporaries (American Adventure).

Uh, what? I assume you have never seen the show. They are out of time - both commenting about each other's eras and acknowledging they are currently in the 20th Century.


Ben Franklin:
Perhaps you recognize those inspiring words from one of America's great writers.

Mark Twain:
No, Dr. Franklin, I don't recall writing anything like that.

Ben Franklin:
Oh my, of course not.
They're from the pen of John Steinbeck here in the 20th century.
Why it seems he has nearly the same spirit as the founding fathers themselves.

Mark Twain:
Well, listen to the proud elder statesman.

Ben Franklin:
Mr. Twain, pride is one of our national passions.
Even those who overcome it, are proud of their humility.

Mark Twain:
Easy now, I was born modest.
Fortunately, it wore off.

Ben Franklin:
Hoho.

Mark Twain:
Dr. Franklin, as our genuine American antique, I suppose our story begins with you.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Lin Manuel Miranda used creative license to make the story of America’s Founding Fathers more dramatic and interesting to Broadway audiences. He definitely did his homework as he wrote the musical. Some of the things he changed (like giving Schuyler 3 daughters and no sons) were convenient to the plot and served the smaller cast.

To me, these things are less “revisionist” than having Abraham Lincoln fail to mention slavery (Great Moments), or even having Mark Twain and Ben Franklin appear as contemporaries (American Adventure).

That’s why I keep asking what people have against the musical... does it really bother them that Aaron Burr wasn’t present at the duel with Lee?

 

[owlsandcoffee]

Or is it that the musical (which I think is great BTW) panders to the audience pretending a lily white (from British/French/Scottish parents) British citizen who left one British territory to come to another British territory would be referred to as "an immigrant" in 1775? But hey, the audience hoots every time on that line so you have that.

It's an allegory for current events, really. I don't think it panders; it's just unsubtle with its metaphors.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Or is it that the musical (which I think is great BTW) panders to the audience pretending a lily white (from British/French/Scottish parents) British citizen who left one British territory to come to another British territory would be referred to as "an immigrant" in 1775? But hey, the audience hoots every time on that line so you have that.

See now we are talking! If you’re going to criticize something know why you are criticizing it.

 

[doctornick]

That actually makes it worse - it panders in the worst way as it plays on the ignorance of the audience about his actual heritage. Not sure how a white British citizen moving to another British colony legally and working his way up in the system solely due to his effort and abilities is an "allegory" of anything in current events. In fact, it is most likely the exact opposite of the reason the audience cheers if they thought about it for a second instead of reacting like seals clapping being triggered by the word "immigrant".

I dunno. Is it really different from someone coming from Puerto Rico to one of the 50 states today for job opportunities? Yes, not a true "immigrant" but certainly involving some of the same challenges.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

That actually makes it worse - it panders in the worst way as it plays on the ignorance of the audience about his actual heritage. Not sure how a white British citizen moving to another British colony legally and working his way up in the system solely due to his effort and abilities is an "allegory" of anything in current events. In fact, it is most likely the exact opposite of the reason the audience cheers if they thought about it for a second instead of reacting like seals clapping being triggered by the word "immigrant".

Eh... he was an immigrant though by definition. The very first line says he was the son of a Scotsman so it’s not like they aren’t mentioning that.

 

[owlsandcoffee]

If you think the average person walks out of that show thinking he was a white British citizen who legally moved from one British colony to another British colony, I have some mid-orchestra seats for tomorrow night's show to sell ya. And again, this is from someone who loves the show and has seen it multiple times. But that line is straight up pandering for the reaction.

I'm not claiming you don't like the show! Just saying it's a heavy-handed metaphor. Lin's family is from Puerto Rico (an American colony, moving to America) so it's similar. You're right though, by definition Hamilton was not an immigrant. But it's not trying to be a direct parallel. It's a metaphor. Yes Hamilton and the Mirandas moved intra-nationally but is that really that different from immigration? AND Hamilton is talking to Lafayette, who was an immigrant. So consider it a moment of solidarity from two people who traveled to continental America, as a shout-out to modern day travelers.

You're right, it's a crowd-pleasing line. It bends the strict meaning of words a bit to achieve its goal. Artistic license.

I didn't want anybody to change HOP anyways.

 

[MisterPenguin]

So that's when you get breakdancing Lincoln and Rapping Roosevelt.

When a president is addressing the audience, the other presidents in the background should be hitting a beach ball around.

 

[_caleb]

Uh, what? I assume you have never seen the show. They are out of time - both commenting about each other's eras and acknowledging they are currently in the 20th Century.


Ben Franklin:
Perhaps you recognize those inspiring words from one of America's great writers.

Mark Twain:
No, Dr. Franklin, I don't recall writing anything like that.

Ben Franklin:
Oh my, of course not.
They're from the pen of John Steinbeck here in the 20th century.
Why it seems he has nearly the same spirit as the founding fathers themselves.

Mark Twain:
Well, listen to the proud elder statesman.

Ben Franklin:
Mr. Twain, pride is one of our national passions.
Even those who overcome it, are proud of their humility.

Mark Twain:
Easy now, I was born modest.
Fortunately, it wore off.

Ben Franklin:
Hoho.

Mark Twain:
Dr. Franklin, as our genuine American antique, I suppose our story begins with you.

Of course I’ve seen the show! I really like it!

Having Franklin and Twain on stage together is a cool way to begin the story in an interesting—if less than historically accurate—way. My point was that these things do not make an historical drama “revisionist.” If the American Adventure isn’t (and I think most here would agree that it’s not), than neither is Hamilton for its dramatic license.

 

[_caleb]

When a president is addressing the audience, the other presidents in the background should be hitting a beach ball around.

Disney does have a history of using beach balls to liven up boring attractions!

 

[SoFloMagic]

If you think the average person walks out of that show thinking he was a white British citizen who legally moved from one British colony to another British colony, I have some mid-orchestra seats for tomorrow night's show to sell ya. And again, this is from someone who loves the show and has seen it multiple times. But that line is straight up pandering for the reaction.

Do you think people know that the cats in cats aren't cats? Straight up pandering to cat lovers.

 

[BromBones]

The current version, which has the sitting president reading a script prepared by Disney, hardly constitutes a straight-up history lesson.

It doesn't? Apparently you haven't watched the show because you wouldn't have made that comment if you did.

 

[BromBones]

Which part of Hamilton do you have a problem with?

The musical is rife with historical inaccuracies. Do you want a list?

 

[BromBones]

I haven’t seen it but I‘m now inclined to believe Hamilton is the most historically accurate work ever produced.

What about "the source" sporto?

You have something to say and you want to personally attack me....have the guts to do it direct to me.

 

[thomas998]

I dunno. Is it really different from someone coming from Puerto Rico to one of the 50 states today for job opportunities? Yes, not a true "immigrant" but certainly involving some of the same challenges.

What challenges are the same? If you are from Puerto Rico you have full access to enter and live in the US, no Visa or anything else required, so what is similar to other actual immigrants?