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culture<br />

Worship Miranda<br />

You better know every award he’s won<br />

(including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and<br />

a MacArthur Genius grant), every last tweet<br />

of his, every single Tony acceptance speech,<br />

like your life depends on it. Believe me, you<br />

won’t regret being able to say “I Know Him,”<br />

and you will never find anyone as trusting<br />

or as kind as Lin-Manuel Miranda. You<br />

don’t want to “Take a Break” and go to bed<br />

thinking, “What Did I Miss?”<br />

While you’re at it, get to know the rest of<br />

the original cast, too. You know you’re on<br />

the right track when you picture Christopher<br />

Jackson instead of George Washington<br />

when someone mentions the historical<br />

figure.<br />

Talk the talk<br />

Do this by slipping phrases from the<br />

show into casual conversation. It’ll help<br />

make “Hamilton” an essential part of your<br />

identity. Summon all the courage you<br />

require, and start by experimenting a bit.<br />

Maybe begin all of your texts with “Dear Sir,<br />

I hope this letter finds you in good health”<br />

for a month. Honestly, if you’re not at the<br />

point where everyday surprises cause you<br />

to sing “the world turned upside down” in<br />

your head, you’re doing something horribly<br />

wrong. (I’m also sorely disappointed in all<br />

of you who’ve been reading every reference<br />

in this guide, rather than singing each one.)<br />

Eventually you won’t “Blow Us All Away”<br />

with your endless knowledge, but that’s OK.<br />

You’ll be “Hamilton’s” No. 1 superfan. “That<br />

Would Be Enough.”<br />

Save your cash<br />

More than anything else, all superfans<br />

want to be in “The Room Where It Happens”<br />

(to the point where, if you’re honest<br />

with yourself, it’s a bit concerning). My final<br />

piece of advice for you “Hamilton” junkies<br />

is to start saving up for 2020 — when you’ll<br />

finally be able to get a ticket.<br />

Actor Christopher Jackson won a Tony Award for his portrayal of<br />

George Washingon in “Hamilton.”<br />

About the author: Sophie Novak is a senior<br />

who has seen Hamilton three times and listens avidly to the<br />

soundtrack. She is well on her way to memorizing the entire<br />

show. Her piece mimics Miranda’s own genius of referencing<br />

iconic lines and artists in his lyrics by weaving lines and<br />

song titles from “Hamilton” throughout. There are 30. Did<br />

you find them all? (Hint: lyrics are in italics and song titles<br />

are in quotes.)<br />

winter 2017 | 13

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