Summary

Chapter 3, Introduction: McCarter describes how Miranda convinced historian Ron Chernow (who wrote the definitive biography of Alexander Hamilton) to work on the project, and how Chernow was able to provide important historical information. McCarter also describes how Chernow came to accept the idea / principle that the Caucasian characters would be played by non-Caucasian performers, partly because those performers would be better able to access the rhythms and style of Miranda’s music.

Chapter 4, Introduction: McCarter comments here on how history and character of New York City influenced the musical. He describes how Lin’s compositions and lyrics captured the energy and ambition of the city, a drive and a sense of self that seems to have continued across the centuries. McCarter also comments on how the historical facts of how the city was constructed by shipbuilders were echoed and shaped by the designer of...