4/19/2016
Until now, those unlucky enough to live too far away from the Great White Way (or who live and work maddeningly close but haven’t yet managed to sell their first-born child in order to afford scalper pricing) have had to content themselves with putting the soundtrack album on repeat. No more! Now, we can also read Hamilton: The Revolution, an exhaustive script book/behind-the-scenes journey that’s almost as good as a front-row seat. (Or that’s what we’re telling ourselves, anyway). Read More

07/04/2016
The hip-hop musical Hamilton: The Revolution has earned its own biography, which highlights the obstacles, influences, and powerful moments from its development to its Broadway success. McCarter narrates the introduction (which he wrote), and one can hear the excitement and enthusiasm he still has for both the musical and his work with Miranda. Actress Hargitay, longtime star of NBC’s Law & Order: SVU, covers the lion’s share of this performance, and she does an astounding job. She captures the energy and enthusiasm of the various people quoted throughout the book, while capturing the emphasis and tone to draw out some of the more emotional moments. Miranda chimes in for the last hour, reading—and at times singing—footnotes on the libretto, without the actual context of the script, which will be confusing for listeners who do not have the print book to follow along. A Grand Central hardcover. (May)

“Hamilton is a phenomenon like no other—not since Les Misérables has a Broadway show so captured the attention of our pop culture consciousness. As its subtitle suggests, this book is the closest we’re likely to come to an encapsulation of what was, and is, a revolutionary work of art. From the odd behind-the-curtain trivia, to an outlining of the debts the libretto owes to the greats of hip-hop, to the breathless accounts of the off-Broadway run and the phenomenal success of the Broadway debut, it’s an irresistible, almost giddy account of an seismic event in entertainment history.”

Mariska Hargitay takes on the role of warm documentarian in her narration of Hamilton…Listeners will need to follow along in the accompanying PDF when listening to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s footnotes on the libretto, which make up the last hour of the recording. That being said, it’s so much fun hearing them lift off the page, by turns serious and playful, in his voice. It’s fascinating listening for Broadway aficionados and an essential deep dive for Hamilton fans.”

★ 06/01/2016
Based on the life of a Founding Father but overflowing with hip-hop and R&B music and concepts that resonate with contemporary audiences, the groundbreaking and wildly popular musical Hamilton has garnered praise from all corners. Miranda, the show's creator and star, and McCarter trace the origins and progress of the show from loose "mixtape" to Broadway production and cultural phenomenon. A deep dive into the world of conceiving, staging, and performing a live theater event, this work emphasizes the endless process of revision and improvement undertaken by Miranda and his "cabinet" of collaborators. Audiobook listeners will want to keep the cast album close as the narrative touches on the history and evolution of individual songs, as well as gives background on the creative team both behind the scenes and on the stage. The audio edition includes the full libretto with annotations by Miranda in addition to color photographs and other bonus material. The bulk of the narration is earnestly performed by Mariska Hargitay, with McCarter reading his introduction and Miranda reading (and sometimes singing) his own annotations. VERDICT A must-have for Hamilton superfans and all public libraries.—Anna Mickelsen, Springfield City Lib., MA

11/01/2015
Miranda was the composer, lyricist, and star of Broadway's In the Heights, which won four Tony Awards in 2008 and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Then came Hamilton, the trailblazing, diverse-cast, hip hop-crazy musical that had a sold-out run at New York's Public Theater before winning the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical and transferring to Broadway. Now it's a Tony favorite, with decent ticket availability starting around June 2016. Here, having told the story of Alexander Hamilton, Miranda tells the story of Hamilton. With a 100,000-copy first printing.

12/01/2016
This glorious, oversize testament to the uplifting, gorgeous, diverse, multiple Tony Award—winning musical Hamilton is a must-have for initiated and new listeners alike. —Sarah Hill, Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL

Mariska Hargitay takes on the role of warm documentarian in her narration of this behind-the-scenes look at the cultural phenomenon that is HAMILTON. Hargitay is an able guide through the chronology of its run at The Public Theater, the recording of the cast album, and the move to Broadway, as well as details, many quite personal, of the writing, casting, composing, choreography, and more. Listeners will need to follow along in the print book or accompanying PDF when listening to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s footnotes on the libretto, which make up the last hour of the recording. That said, it’s SO much fun hearing them lift off the page, by turns serious and playful, in his voice. It’s fascinating listening for Broadway aficionados and an essential deep dive for HAMILTON fans. J.M.D. 2017 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine