The Haunting of Lin-Manuel Miranda
The Haunting of Lin-Manuel Miranda by Ishmael Reed, published by powerHouse Books on October 6, 2020, is an 84-page work that delves into the complexities surrounding the musical Hamilton. In this piece, Reed critically examines the narratives presented in the popular play, challenging the traditional “Creation Myth” of the United States as depicted in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s work. Through a blend of historical analysis and theatrical elements, Reed aims to provide a fresh perspective on America’s past and its cultural representations.
Readers will find that this play, originally produced at the Nuyorican Poets Café, serves as both a rebuttal to Hamilton and a call for justice. It addresses themes related to performing arts, theater, and the historical context of colonial America and revolution. By intertwining meticulous research with dramatic storytelling, Reed offers a thought-provoking exploration that resonates with educators, students, and enthusiasts of literature and history alike. This edition presents a unique opportunity to engage with the ongoing discourse surrounding the impact of musical theater on societal narratives.
Official synopsis Publisher
“That’s a lot of horse hockey, Hamilton.”
Described by the New York Times as “classic activist theater” and “a cross between ‘A Christmas Carol’ and a trial at The Hague’s International Criminal Court.”
“In this, his latest work, the protean Ishmael Reed–the legendary artist and prolific writer–continues to burnish his already sterling reputation by dismantling the ‘Creation Myth’ of the founding of the U.S., as represented in the incredibly profitable play and musical, Hamilton. Reed, a verbal acrobat of global renown, demonstrates here why he is widely considered to be the leading intellectual in the U.S. today.”
-Gerald Horne, author of The Counter-Revolution of 1776: Slave Resistance and the Origins of the USA
This powerful play, originally produced at the Nuyorican Poets Café, comprehensively dismantles the phenomenon of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Hamilton. Reed uses the musical’s crimes against history to insist on a radical, cleareyed way of looking at our past and our selves. Both durable and timely, this goes beyond mere corrective – it is a meticulously researched rebuttal, an absorbing drama, and brilliant rallying cry for justice.
The perfect tie-in to both the success of and backlash to Hamilton, it is the major voice in contrast to the recent movie. It captures both the earnest engagement that fans of the musical desire, as well as the exhausted disbelief of those who can’t stand it. Teachers, students and fans of drama, literature, and history will find much to love. It is written by one of America’s most respected and original writers, who is eagerly promoting it, and who is long overdue for a renaissance.
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