FAITH BUILDERS
Photo: Courtesy Walt Disney Pictures
Faith&Friends
From History to Hip Hop Hamilton brings history to movie screens and living rooms. by Jeanette Levellie
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n a surprise move that delighted fans, Disney Studios released the movie version of Hamilton to Disney+ on July 3, 15 months ahead of its scheduled release date. “In this very difficult time, this story of tenacity, hope and the power of people to unite against adversity is both relevant and inspiring,” Disney executive chairman Robert Iger said on Twitter. Stealing the Brag Lin-Manuel Miranda, author of the original play and music score, told Variety.com, “You all have that friend that is like, ‘I saw it with the original cast.’ We’re stealing that
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brag because you’re all going to see it with the original cast.” That cast includes Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr, Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton, Christopher Jackson as George Washington and Daveed Diggs in the dual role of the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. All the lead characters are played by people of colour, a purposeful decision by Miranda to focus on diversity and inclusion. Making a Difference With very little dialogue, Hamilton takes viewers on a modern musical journey sharing the fascinating