How
much time do we get on this earth? We don’t know. They don’t tell
us at the outset how much time we get. It’s something I’ve been
sort of grappling with and terrified with. I think we all grapple
with it. I think we all grapple with the paradox of knowing
tomorrow’s not promised, but making plans anyway. Hamilton walked
into that duel. He had a lunch date with a client on the books that
same day. You don’t plan for your life to end.
I made this for you today. It’s the scene in Hamilton that goes between “Dear Theodosia” and “Non Stop.” I made a decision not to record this scene on the album, for two reasons 1) It really is more of a scene than a song, the only SCENE in our show, and I think its impact is at its fullest in production form. 2) As someone who grew up ONLY listening to cast albums (we ain’t have money for a lot of Broadway shows, like most people) those withheld moments were REVELATIONS to me when I finally experienced them onstage, years later. Hamilton is sung through, and I wanted to have at least ONE revelation in store for you. I stand by the decision, and I think the album is better for it.
I know, I know. “But what about people who won’t get the chance to see it…” I know. “And Laurens is already so underrepresented in history…” I KNOW. THAT’S WHY HE’S SO PROMINENT IN THE SHOW. So here’s where we meet in the middle. The missing scene is above. Please understand that the reason I left this scene off the album is precisely BECAUSE I value it (and Laurens) so much. Happy #Hamiltunes listening, Tumblrico. This is your extra credit reading. Yr Obd Serv, Lin-Manuel
Ravenclaw: Oh, well I think I want to be an optometrist and I know these schools are good, so I could go there for the first few years and then this better school later and…
Hufflepuff: Uh huh.
Ravenclaw: What’s your plan?
Hufflepuff: Honestly I was gonna move to NYC and wander about the streets around Lin Manuel Miranda’s apartment and hope he randomly sees me and casts me as the lead in his next broadway musical.
starry-eyed 