Forget Fireworks, I’m Celebrating the Fourth of July with ‘Hamilton’ On Disney+

This week is Independence Day, and while the typical beach trips, backyard barbecue bashes, and fireworks displays are on hold, there is still one way I plan to celebrate. Smash hit musical “Hamilton” is coming toDisney+on July 3.

Initially planned for a theatrical release in 2021, the filmed version of the original Broadway production of “Hamilton” is exactly the kind of joy I’m looking for during this global pandemic. While nothing can truly compare to live theater, it does have its limitations; a finite number of people were able to see creator Lin-Manuel Miranda in the titular role alongside all the talented actors whose voices give life to the original cast recording.

In case you’ve missed the half a decade of hype, “Hamilton” tells the story of the first U.S. Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, a founding father that, until the hit show, was mostly remembered for being killed by Vice President Aaron Burr in a duel. Based off thebiography by Ron Chernow, the score blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway in a way that tells history through today’s lens, and with a mostly POC cast. This production was filmed at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in June 2016.

Since the show is “sung through,” meaning there’s not much dialogue that happens on stage that’s not already on the album, it’snot a necessary watch, some would argue. But as I already have aDisney+ subscription(I’ve been getting my money’s worth just from original shows and behind the scenes Disney content during quarantine,in my opinion) I don’t plan on missing the chance to see Leslie Odom Jr., Daveed Diggs, et al. do their thing up close.