People of the world, join hands, start a Hamil-train
Dames Nation, We’re Helpless
Dear Lin-Manuel Miranda:
IT IS UNTOWARD TO MAKE SOMETHING THIS GREAT AND AFFECTING,
YOU BEAUTIFUL BROADWAY GENIUS.
YOU GOT A LOTTA DAMN GALL.
Dame Sophie kind of regrets spending so much time with 1989 (written by Taylor Swift, interpreted by A Sad Guitar Fellow) last week because it kept her from joining the zillions of her friends absolutely losing it over their shared musical true love of 2015, Hamilton. Having been on record for years as admiring Hamilton’s Foxiest Founding Fatherhood, she’s kind of appalled with herself for not having been more aware that this was happening, but better late than never! Dame Margaret, meanwhile, is like "I told you so!!! HERE HAVE A FULL GROSS OF INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH TISSUES, I don't need them anymore, I've sobbed until literally every last bit of water is gone from my body, I'm a desiccated shell of a human now." (Side note: Can we also talk about how ridiculous it is that being one week into a cultural phenomenon can be considered late at all? We blame hot takes.)
If you are also new to the glories of Hamilton, here are a few of the most Dames-baity things about it:
Lusty 18th-century commas and an ill-judged over-explaining political pamphlet came THISCLOSE to tearing apart the Early Republic. Because sexting & Tumblr & delicate male emotions have been around forever (but please do tell us more about how selfies are ruining our culture).
If you are a fan of Code Name Verity, Elizabeth Wein’s wonderful novel of friendship and courage during WWII, you maaaaaay wind up going down a feelings rabbit-hole thinking about how Julie and Maddie are the relationship inverse of A. Burr & A. Ham.
It's incredible ability to meld two seemingly different genres-- a period musical about revolution and upheaval in the 18th century and the sound, rhythm, and attitudes of modern R&B and hip-hop-- without ever diminishing or sneering at either.
It’s a magpie of a cultural product, so obviously we are ALL IN. Ready to learn more, rock out, and sob into all the available facial tissues? Hop on the Hamil-train with our Top 10 below.
Top 10 Get On The Hamiltrain Links
(JKJKJKJK, Lin-Manuel, you still own us, we're playing.)
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tumblr is...well, everything. Your Dames are actually beginning to suspect, based on this tweet, that he is openly trying to seduce us. Some recent highlights: swipe right forever with #Hamiltinder & enjoy this mashup of West Wing screencaps with quotes from the musical.
Hang out with Hamilton’s Squad
Read Miranda’s interview with Dames forever fave Rembert! Their obvious affinity for one another is seriously adorable.
Race, Immigration & Hamilton: “Every time you listen to the cast recording straight through, one of Trump’s Horcruxes is destroyed.”
Yes, that was “Countdown” you heard woven into “Helpless”. Here’s a track-by-track guide to all the hip-hop (and R&B and Gilbert & Sullivan) references in Hamilton.
Jon Caramanica’s wide-ranging interview with Miranda delves into his hip-hop influences, his musical theater philosophy, and his lost chance to develop a musical based on My Name is Asher Lev (one of Dame S.’s favorite Restless Mind At Work coming-of-age narratives).
Now, this is somewhat atypical for us, but we're going to include something behind a (very small) paywall: Episode 133 of How Was Your Week with Julie Klausner, where Julie interviews Lin-Manuel Miranda both about his first musical, In the Heights, and also about the stunning opening patter song he wrote for Neil Patrick Harris at the 2013 Tony Awards. You can listen for $1.99 (for one month) or $7.99 (all year!)-- and Dame M. will personally advise you on which other episodes of the show to seek out one you have Premium Access. AND, if you'd prefer to hear Lin-Manuel be charming somewhere for free, hear him talk about adopting an adorable stray dog (who may have inspired "Dear Theodosia"!!) on Episode 1 of Can I Pet Your Dog?
Placing a zillion more library holds thanks to The Story of Tonight: Comics for Fans of Hamilton.
Join Nicole Cliffe down the Leslie-Odom-Jr-is-the-Greatest rabbit hole....
AND FINALLY! Remember the famous “got milk?” ad campaign of the mid-90s? Leslie Odom, Jr. re-created it as an ad for the show. Practice saying “Aaaaah BUH!” right along with him.
Twee as Hell
This "101 Dalmatians" Engagement Shoot Is Perfect. Roger + Anita4EVAAAAA (Hat tip to Damespal Rachel!)
These miniature skulls carved from pearls are #TweeAsGothHell & we’re loving them.
Extraordinary miniaturist Lorraine Loots is really gunning for us with her perfect tiny classic book covers.
Viewed from above, giant gummi bear sidewalk paintings are wibbly-wobbly yummy-gummy!
And finally, here’s an Instagram account that’s 100% HUSKY PUPPIES!
Visual Crushes
This Stars Hollow vintage travel poster is PERFECT for our offices at the Dames Aerie, and prompt us to wonder about commissioning a whole series of such posters advertising our favorite TV locales: Dillon, Deadwood-- Dame M. wants a whole series dedicated to Cozy Mystery Towns: Cabot Cove, St. Mary's Mead, Three Pines-- the list goes on and on!
Does anyone serve Marian the Librarian realness better than Miss Piggy? We think not.
Join us down the vintage chrome rabbit hole of Chromeography, featuring Dame S.'s dream-handwriting!
Midcentury modern aesthetics + corvids = [Dame M. making a heart-eye emoji face for daaaays. Lesley Barnes is forever slaying us!
#HeroTeen Grace Lennon models the hand-painted, Hokusai-Inspired prom dress she created, makes Past Dame M absolutely weep with envy, for this is an idea for which she would have killed.
Two Bossy Dames are not throwing away their shot.