So, who else does not really like "Hamilton"?

Many of the songs are not rap. One Last Time, it’s quiet uptown, satisfied - some of the best songs are not rap. Also Jefferson was purposely portrayed with a blues tone (see the song what did I miss)

If you want to listen to a few songs that aren’t mostly rap/hip hop just to get a feel for part of it, these would be good. “Wait For It” is absolutely amazing, it’s our favorite song. “Helpless” is really fun and only a section towards the end is rap/hip hop. 

Eh, people like what they like.

I’m a big theatre lover and I hate Wicked. I hate Cats.

Doesn’t mean those things are bad, just means they aren’t for me.

Hamilton means a great deal to a lot of people (including me - I think it’s absolutely a staggering work of artistic genius) but I totally understand people saying it’s not for them. Just don’t try to convince me it’s not good. It may not be for you, but someone can’t say “it’s not good” - it’s all in the eyes of the beholder.

I agree about not all of it being rap or hip hop. My favorite songs aren’t either - Wait for It, The Room Where it Happened, It’s Quiet Uptown, and anything sung by King George. I’ll admit the idea that it was all rap and hip hop kept me from listening to the cast album when my kids were in their Hamilton phase, but when I finally did I was pleasantly surprised at the mix of genres.

For me it’s Wicked that doesn’t live up to its hype, even though I’ve seen it twice. Different strokes... .

If we try watching it I will definitely put on subtitles.

I can never pick a favorite song, but I always end up being pulled toward "Wait For It."

Death doesn't discriminate
Between the sinners and the saints
It takes and it takes and it takes
And we keep living anyway.
We rise and we fall and we break
And we make our mistakes.
And if there's a reason I'm still alive
When everyone who loves me has died
I'm willing to wait for it.

However, I didn't like the CD much the first time I listened to it either. Based on my own experience, Eliza's songs are the most similar to other musical theater. "Take a Break" was the first one that became an ear worm for me. "That Would Be Enough," "Burn" and "It's Quiet Uptown," I would never classify any of them as anywhere close to rap or hip hop. Then I would say Aaron Burr's songs, "Wait For It," "The Room Where it Happens." Room is a jazzy show tune that I really just want to say is too cheezy something, but then the "click, boom" gets me and I forgive it. And Washington's "History Has It's Eye on You" and "One Last Time."

If someone is struggling, but willing to give bits a go, I would try those, on YouTube or something. Not try to watch the whole thing beginning to end. Like Shakespeare, most of us don't start out reading plays beginning to end. We are exposed to scenes, break them down, find their meaning.

I mean, it’s $6.99.

How much more to the masses does it need to be?

This! I’ve listened to the soundtrack a few times and couldn’t follow the narrative very well. It all pretty much became clear when I watched it, but I would have missed half of the dialogue without subtitles. I might get to the point where I can watch it without, but it will be after a few times. The lyrics are so clever, being able to read them as well as listen to them definitely enhances the Hamilton experience. 

That’s me. I don’t like opera. No rap music, thanks. Not a fan of country either. I also have a short attention span and not a lot of patience. Books get 50 pages to interest me or I’m done. 🤷🏼‍♀️ But I am happy that so many people like it. Anything positive that makes people happy is a good thing, esp. now.

Just FYI, Hamilton doesn’t have a soundtrack. It has a cast recording.

Well, it’s a proshot, not a movie, so same rules apply.

While I agree that $7 a month is a bargain subscription price (and way cheaper than a single movie ticket), it's $7 a month only if you already have all of the equipment and good enough internet for streaming.  For some families, the cost-- and in some places, accessibility-- of that infrastructure means it's still out of reach.

As far as Hamilton itself-- we turned it off at intermission.  (This is where people are going to tell me it picks up in the second half.)  We didn't realize just how much of a biography it was.  I mean, we knew it was based on a biography but we expected some semblance of a plot beyond the highlight reel of Hamilton's life.  

Of course, we have great respect for the work it takes to put something like this together.  It takes mad skillz to sing, even more so to sing and move around and remember three hours of words AND choreography.  And the technical planning behind choreography and a spinning stage and moving set pieces?  Just mind blowing.  But the actual musical itself?  Glad we didn't pay hundreds of dollars for tickets.

I probably would have enjoyed it more if the main character wasn't such a douche.  Love the music (REALLY looking forward to In the Heights!), love the costumes, love the choreography, can't get past the douchiness.