"Alexander Hamilton:" Opening Numbers, Setting the Stage, and Demon Barbers

Our show begins with a number which draws its name both from the protagonist of the show, and the show's title. The stage is set by "Alexander Hamilton," a slow tempo yet still ever-driving number recounting Hamilton's life story up until he arrives in New York in 1776. We are introduced to the themes of the show and the traits of our main character, as well as the company of the show itself.

In his book Hamilton: The Revolution, Miranda cites the opening number from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which is entitled "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" as inspiration for this number. The songs have a lot in common; both feature short lines sung by the company about our main character and his life's story, setting the stage for our show to truly begin. Both songs feature motifs that reappear later in their respective shows a number of times. The similarities are so direct that for Broadway Cares' annual Easter Bonnet competition, the cast of Hamilton performed their opening number, with the lyrics altered to tell the story of Sweeney Todd.

Why is this how Miranda chooses to open his show? Why does he lift a number from another Broadway number, and why do one with such a unique format, as opposed to a simple standard opening number?

The answer is pretty simple, and can be summed up shortly: exposition.

Both Hamilton and Sweeney Todd are shows that follow a pretty consistent through-line; though there are time jumps in both, we always feel like we are seeing all of the story right in a row. And neither show wastes time getting into the story, either; we meet our characters and watch them interact from the word "go." And part of the reason this works so well is how their opening numbers set the stage. Exposition in other mediums like film can be tedious and forced, but with theatre, it gives you a chance to do something interesting. In both shows, the cast recounts the story of the protagonist before introducing them onto the scene. Also worth noting, Alexander and Sweeney respectively are the only cast members "in character" during this scene. Leslie Odom Jr. and Daveed Diggs aren't playing Burr or Lafayette, just as Angela Lansbury and Victor Garber weren't playing Mrs. Lovett or Anthony. They're acting as narrators setting the stage for our story to be told, and because we're immediately given so much information in such an engaging way, we aren't lost when the story and songs begin immediately afterwards. Time on stage is like property, and the more of it you waste, the less the audience is going to want to watch you. It's no coincidence that Sweeney Todd is revered as a classic, and I have no doubt Hamilton will be too.