Ten years ago, Hamilton: An American Musical debuted on Broadway and forever changed the landscape of musical theatre. With its innovative blend of hip-hop, R&B and traditional show tunes, the show redefined what Broadway could be.

From a Book to the Big Stage

The journey of Hamilton began way before its Broadway debut in August 2015. Lin-Manuel Miranda, inspired by Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton, began developing the show in 2009. That same year, he famously performed what would become the opening number at a White House party poetry jam. The project took shape over several years, eventually premiering Off-Broadway at The Public Theatre in New York City in February 2015. The production sold out almost immediately, prompting a swift move to the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway later that year, where it quickly became the hottest ticket in town.

Critical Claim and Cultural Impact

From the outset, Hamilton was a triumph. The original Broadway cast, including Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr, Phillipa Soo as Eliza Schuyler, Daveed Diggs and Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, Christopher Jackson as George Washington, and Miranda himself in the title role, received widespread acclaim. In 2016, the musical won 11 Tony Awards, including Best New Musical, and took home the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It also earned a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. The show's diverse casting and bold musical choices sparked conversations about representation and historical storytelling.

From Stage to Screen

Following its Broadway success, Hamilton expanded across the globe. Multiple touring companies were launches across North America, and the show opened in London's West End in 2017 to similar acclaim. Productions also followed in Australia, Germany and Canada, making Hamilton a worldwide phenomenon. In 2020, as theaters around the world shut their doors due to the pandemic, a filmed version of the original Broadway production premiered on Disney+. This brought the show into millions of peoples homes, further cementing itself in popular culture.

Fast Forward to 2025

Hamilton continues to thrive, and we aren't surprised. It remains a fixture in key cities and touring circuits, and its influence on theatre and storytelling is still being felt. Its songs are taught in schools and its message of "immigrants, we get the job done" remains powerfully relevant. At the 2025 Tony Awards, the original cast of Hamilton did a special performance - one that felt nostalgic, as if we were all experiencing its debut again.

Ten Years Later

A decade after its Broadway debut, Hamilton stands not just as a groundbreaking musical, but as a cultural milestone. It challenged the norms of theatre, diversified the stage, and reminded audiences that history isn't static - it's a story that can be retold, remixed and rediscovered.

Hamilton will remain in the room where it happens.