British Reacts To: 'Wait For It' - Hamilton Broadway Musical & Animatic

[@marywalsh5774]

Lin Manuel Miranda has said he gave the best songs he wrote to Burr. Leslie Odom Jr won a Tony for his performance.

[@DRaymore44]

Leslie deserved that Tony Award for playing Aaron Burr. Not only did Leslie win that Tony, Renee Elise Goldsberry, who plays Angelica Schuyler, and Daveed Diggs who played two roles, Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, won Tony Awards for their roles. This musical won 11 Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. I am so glad Lin-Manuel Miranda came with this idea of showing American history after reading Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton. He has opened the door for students and teachers to discuss this musical as well as the historical context of his story. He made it so accessible to so many people. He is a true genius.

[@vic70ria]

Honestly I came out of this loving Burr more. Especially when I looked up some of Hamilton’s slander was that Burr was in an incestuous relationship with Theodosia. The only irritating line that really comes from Burr in the play for me was he was too young to realize that him and Hamilton could stay in the same space. 48! Is when he shot Hamilton. Not a young idiot. Just an idiot

[@bobbycooper2530]

@@vic70ria i think he meant that when they were younger he didn't realize they could be in the same space... He was referring to the fact that he had always considered him a rival even when they were younger

[@lhillenburg]

Burr really did have an enormous legacy, he had something to lose. His grandfather, Jonathan Edwards, a famous preacher during the Great Awakening, founder of Princeton, and probably the most influential and respected man in the Colonies before the revolution.

[@theshadowfax239]

Leslie Odom Jr is just a phenomenal entertainer.

[@pelorusjack007]

It’s interesting how Hamilton dies because he didn’t take “his shot” and also because Burr didn’t “wait for it”.

[@decoy9854]

This is kinda spoilerish, isn't it?

[@islandhorsetaker]

@@decoy9854 I mean it's history isn't it? 😅

[@whaleymom76]

...And, both Burr and Hamilton's lives begin being destroyed as soon as Burr stops "waiting for it" and starts following Hamilton's example of taking chances and acting on what he wants. (Also, once Hamilton mentions Macbeth, his fate is sealed)

[@samanthadowling3340]

@@decoy9854 also we know Burr kills Hamilton from the first song...!

[@ThatBlackPiano]

I found it ridiculous and hilarious that Burr had the nerve to say he would not let Hamilton make an orphan out of his daughter when HE’S the one that demanded the duel AND during the war he told Alexander that he thought duels were stupid and people shouldn’t have to pay for their mistake(s) w/ their lives.

[@Alphasnowbordergirl]

I would say rather than contempt, Burr is jealous. He's won't move forward, waiting for his chance to come, afraid to damage the legacy his parents left him, while Hamilton is going after what he wants and succeeding despite the odds.

[@swaswj414]

Agreed. Particularly given the context -- this immediately follows The Story of Tonight (Reprise) where Burr comes to offer his congratulations, where Hamilton had just encouraged him, wished for him to make it through the war. At this point, Burr and Hamilton are still friends. Burr is frustrated and envious of the way Hamilton can go all in on every gamble ("What is it like in his shoes?") because Burr always has to consider what he has to lose. Burr's inflections convey that emotion so well, and I think the animatic catches it perfectly at the end where Burr is clenching his fist, but then pictures Hamilton raising a glass to freedom, and the tension releases: it's not Hamilton he's mad at, but how different their situations are. For now, at least.

[@paradoxical_taco]

When I watch this part (I’ve watched more times than I can count, like everyone else) I always think of the Star Trek:TNG ep “Tapestry,” where Q gives Picard a chance to change something in his past, and the thing he changes, which Picard correctly recognized as an important incident in the course of his life, changes his whole life. He’s avoided some negative consequences of the past, but when returned to his time, he’s now stuck as a lower ranking officer who doesn’t take the risks necessary to advance in his Starfleet career. He’s so cautious that opportunity after opportunity has passed him by.

[@rebeccafirlotte2181]

His vocal control is legendary. He has such presence and draws you in. The level of technique required for this is astounding.

[@jessicajones641]

Leslie is so great in this! I cannot wait for you to listen to The Room Where it Happened. The song delivery is reserved because Burr is very reserved. He only “cracks” and delivers his lines emotionally a few times, but he composes himself again. It’s like the further we get into the show the more emotional Burr begins to get.

[@meggsy82]

This is a combination of a live performance and a closed show done specifically to get close ups. So every close camera angle is intentional. They're things you wouldn't really catch during the traditional stage show. I really appreciated that. I was up in the mezzanine so I definitely wasn't able to see a great deal of facial expression. Hamilton will do whatever it takes to build what he feels needs to be his legacy. Burr will walk away from opportunities to protect what he feels is already his legacy. What's funny is that, in the end, just living was their legacy.

[@ellen9575]

This is one of my favorite songs. Leslie is great in this play.

[@amandablythe6515]

Leslie is just... whew!!!

[@pazz]

It’s all about mindset. Burr is much more reserved, expecting things to come his way because of his legacy. Hamilton has no legacy and is fighting to make one for himself. It’s about how you react to your circumstances that determines what kind of person you are... if you think about it, at the point in the play where this song sits, Burr actually has what Hamilton wants (a troop to command), and Hamilton has what Burr wants (Washington). Is Hamilton frustrated? yes, but not at Burr, sometimes the cards just fall a certain way, and it’s no ones fault, you just got to make the most of it. Burr however, doesn’t see it that way... He sees it as Hamilton stacking the deck so the cards will fall in his favour, and not in Burr’s.

[@whaleymom76]

That is one a the largest tragedies in the story. If you follow what happened to Burr in real life after he killed Hamilton, it's even more awful.

[@mikaelacash3791]

This is by far my favorite song in the entire musical! It's just so good!

[@WanderLost]

I think this pinpoints the motivations behind Aaron Burr as a person. He feels like he has to live up to what his parents would want, and yet he doesn't know what they want him to be. He feels stuck by the legacy of his parents when Hamilton is able to take more and more chances because he's starting from nothing with no expectations from others before him. I love the juxtaposition between the two of them in the play and in real life. Burr's early life is just such a heartbreaking story... even worse than Hamilton's in a lot of ways.

[@delcapslock100]

The awesome lines you were looking for: Life/death doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints! Also "I am the one thing in life I can control!"

[@phaines9]

My favorite song. I love " im not standing still, i am lying wait"

[@inventorsky3156]

I always love how this song even links to 'the room where it happens' with the line 'you get nothing if you wait for it' I feel it really shows the difference between Hamilton and Burr

[@whaleymom76]

Also, in the very beginning of the show Hamilton says he is going to wait for his life to happen (near end of opening song) but at NO OTHER POINT once he reaches New York does he go that route. (Even in the "Room Where It Happens" meeting, he's not waiting. He's just trying a more indirect route to get the banks in New York and to get Congress to pass his economic plan.)

[@i-asiahfrazier6812]

If you thought the animatic was emotional, go back and watch the animatic for Helpless and Satisfied... ESPECIALLY Satisfied. Szin does an excellent job

[@kelly_kuku]

This is probably my favorite song, def top 3 of the whole show! Between the beat/melody & the lyrics I just freaking love it so much😍

[@whaleymom76]

Ditto!!!!

[@tishtabb8848]

Hamilton and Burr both lost a lot when they were young. Burr became cautious. Whereas Hamilton became fearless. Makes one think about about why. Financial status in society may play a part. Burr doesn’t want to take a chance and is trying not to lose anything else. He is willing to just wait for life to hand him change. Hamilton is coming from a place of nothing left to lose and if you don’t strive forward, speak up, and fight - life will walk all over you. Both personalities eventually are both blessings and curses for the men.

[@ms.chuckfu1088]

I hear IRL they call Leslie ‘Silky’. It really fits.

[@deborahcarson4157]

I guess this is a case of the more reserve British way of approaching things (Burr) v the more direct aggressive American way (Hamilton).

[@vly9257]

I think you are capturing the right take so far. I agree that Burr is conflicted. He doesn't agree with Hamilton's approach to life - the go for it approach - but part of him is envious that Hamilton doesn't have the legacy to protect and can just throw caution to the wind. I can't wait for the next few parts. 😊 If you do decide to group any more songs together, feel free to give your thoughts in between each one. The next 3: Stay Alive, 10 duel commandments, & Meet me inside are basically the same scene playing out, but each song has its own merits.

[@berryberrykixx]

I've been singing since I was about 6, when my grandfather put me in voice training. I've never scored any huge parts on Broadway but 've been in plenty of companies locally as well-known shows come through. The first time I watched 'Hamilton', I expected top performances (which no doubt, this delivers!) but this song sung by Leslie Odom Jr. blew my mind. When it was over, I was pretty surprised at how much he dominates the show. I already knew he was a central figure as both Aaron Burr and the narrator of the story, but I didn't expect this. ❤❤❤

[@jeanettesmith765]

My favorite song in the musical. Leslie Odom, Jr. is amazing and to me, the star of the show.

[@KaitheKnightly]

Love your reactions and your analysis one thing to note though is that Hamilton's mother died but his father abandoned them when he was very young. As far as we know his father was still living. But Hamilton considers himself an orphan.

[@oougahersharr]

Hamilton tried to sent money to his father later in life, so he would have been alive for quite some time and Hamilton aware of where the man was. He was abandoned, but attempted to contact his father. I am not sure if he ever succeeded.

[@whaleymom76]

They touch on that in the show. Further, there is some speculation that Hamilton's father was actually another man (whose acknowledged son looked almost identical to Hamilton) was actually his father and that contributed to the father's abandonment of Hamilton and his family.

[@whaleymom76]

...Also, Hamilton's father died and left nothing to Hamilton or Hamilton's older brother (whom the father also acknowledged) in his will. That was part of the reason Hamilton became a shipping and trading clerk at 14 (estimated age. There is some debate over his actual year of birth but 14 is the best guess) and was on his own from then on.

[@ajbakercmsu]

I was really impressed by this one (even if I personally prefer "Satisfied" as a song). It's very hard to walk the balance with a song whose subject is... well, his defining character trait is that he hesitates, and avoids taking action or a side for as long as possible. Alexander Hamilton is dynamic and driven and therefore it's easy to get on board with his story, that's why the musical's named after him. But being able to communicate the reasoning behind Burr's frequent choices to do nothing, and make him compelling anyway, takes a lot of skill (and Leslie Odom, Jr. deserves every drop of credit he gets for the performance too!)

[@regalcartoon5932]

This is one of my favorite favorite songs in the entire musical.

[@whaleymom76]

Just a thought but even though Burr's character is an antihero, this is my 2nd favorite song in the entire show!

[@bobbihearn6168]

The animatics have a lot of symmetry? Symbolism?? I love it.

[@lonedinosaur13]

If I had to choose a favorite song, this would be it

[@Marant2327]

Mine too. ❤️

[@Ldc223]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It's fun hearing your reactions and comparing to my first experience with the movie.

[@Anonymous_hipp0]

This is my litteral favorite song it’s so beautiful and deep and epic I just love it so much

[@h8ubro760]

listening to wait for it always gets me teary eyed and jus wow. amazing work

[@simchabasavrahamavenu8282]

A. Burr was of the upper rung of society of the time in which he was confined to the "norms of Proper manners & constrictions, while A. Hamilton was a brazen example of the new "American" who challenged all the social norms. Ms. P. Lempa Phila., PA

[@cecilialeitet2794]

Burr has two big numbers, one in each act. They are both my favourites. Apart from maybe Groff (King George), Leslie Odom Jr is the best actor in this cast.

[@meggsy82]

I don't know, the way Daveed transforms is pretty incredible. Guns & Ships...come one now. And Angelica in Satisfied. I remember Leslie commenting that he sometimes found the speed of the raps difficult. She was able to maintain the speed AND vocals. I think they all have strengths in areas. I've always said that if Lin hadn't literally written the part, he wouldn't have been cast as Hamilton BUT his genius is to thank for its very existence. 🤣

[@cecilialeitet2794]

@@meggsy82 I agree with you that everyone in the cast are great performers. But there is a difference between a performer and an actor. Daveed is super funny and works well in scenes where he can interact with others. Jonathan and Leslie have the ability to command the stage on their own using minimal movement and choreography. Their expressions are enough. Renee I agree comes the closest in that regard, and maybe Chris too a little bit. But the two I mentioned are standouts for me in the acting department. Performance wise I love them all.

[@meggsy82]

@@cecilialeitet2794 Neither of us mentioned Phillipa so I need to rectify that. The scene. You know the one. He hasn't gotten there yet so I don't want spoil too much. And Burn. 😭 That sold her to me as one of the top actors. I was able to see her in Amelie like 2 years ago. That's one of my all time favorite movies so I was super skeptical about a musical adaptation. The songs were so so but her acting definitely won me over.

[@l.paigebowser7769]

Chris Jackson gave me hope for democracy through 4 terrible years...never underestimate the power of One Last Time

[@ms.chuckfu1088]

I saw Wayne Brady (from Who’s Line Is It) as Burr in Chicago. He was excellent. He’s such a charismatic personality, and really portrayed that part of Burr that just wanted to be let loose.

[@davidbangtson3109]

So much fun to see these. Thank you again for doing them!

[@arlenecharissa1]

Un saludo desde Puerto Rico! Greetings from Puerto Rico!

[@thefckingprincess487]

Wuuu al fin alguien más que habla español :D

[@duetsinatimeloop]

I'm living for these. Thank you.

[@alpacaparka1686]

Its alright to pause in between if you want to point out something, so that you won't forget it later on😊. Love your reactions tho!

[@bethd8007]

You should watch the documentary on how they filmed this at the same time they were doing 8 live shows a week.

[@fowlerhata9595]

Great video, glad you’re enjoying Hamilton!

[@gloriahudson9408]

Funny. I never care for what the one reacting has to say. I just listen to Hamilton songs wherever I find them. This is how much I love this show.

[@Turtlegirl4]

My favorite song

[@tandre2211]

I hope you go back to do the animatics for Winter's Ball-Helpless-Satisfied. It is interesting to hear how you interpret things between the live-action and the animatics after watching both, like in this video.

[@May-qb3vx]

Favorite Ham song and actor

[@weirdmusickid6953]

I think Aaron Burr became an orphan at two

[@aiofefern164]

So has he figured out he should just watch the whole show yet?

[@caitlynsharp5561]

I love these:)

[@the_nikster1]

so...entire show reaction when?

[@charlenecolon9813]

Can you react to the satisfied animatic?

[@brandym784]

Oh ya need to do guys and ships