Notes

Act One[edit]
The musical begins with the company summarizing Alexander Hamilton’s early life as an orphan in the Caribbean ("Alexander Hamilton").

In the summer of 1776 in New York City, Hamilton seeks out Aaron Burr. Burr advises him to "talk less; smile more." Hamilton rebuffs Burr’s philosophy ("Aaron Burr, Sir") and instead joins three revolutionaries he meets: abolitionist John Laurens, the flamboyant Marquis de Lafayette, and the tailor's apprentice Hercules Mulligan. Hamilton dazzles them with his oratory skills ("My Shot") and they dream of laying down their lives for the cause ("The Story of Tonight"). Meanwhile, the wealthy Schuyler sisters — Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy — wander the streets of New York, excited by the spirit of revolution in the air. The oldest, Angelica, is searching for minds that will challenge her own ("The Schuyler Sisters").

A vocal British loyalist preaches against the revolution, and Hamilton refutes and ridicules his statements ("Farmer Refuted"). A message arrives from King George III, reminding the colonists that he is willing and able to fight for their love ("You'll Be Back").

The revolution is underway, and Hamilton, Burr, and their friends join the Continental Army. As the army retreats from New York City, General George Washington realizes he needs help to win the war. Though Hamilton desires a command and to fight on the front lines, he recognizes the opportunity Washington offers him, and accepts a position as his aide-de-camp ("Right Hand Man").

In the winter of 1780, the men attend "A Winter’s Ball" given by Philip Schuyler, and Hamilton sets his sights on the man’s daughters ("A Winter’s Ball"). Eliza is instantly smitten, and after being introduced by Angelica, she and Hamilton soon wed ("Helpless"). Meanwhile, Angelica is also intellectually and physically attracted to Hamilton, but swallows her feelings for the sake of her sister’s happiness ("Satisfied"). Burr arrives to offer congratulations, and privately admits to Hamilton that he is having an affair with the wife of a British officer. Hamilton advises him to take action ("The Story of Tonight (Reprise)"). Burr, however, prefers to wait and see what life has in store for him ("Wait For It").

As the revolution continues, Hamilton repeatedly petitions Washington to give him command, but Washington refuses, instead promoting Charles Lee. This decision proves disastrous at the Battle of Monmouth, where Lee orders a retreat against Washington's orders, which prompts the commander to remove him from command in favor of Lafayette. Disgruntled, Lee spreads slanderous and vindictive rumors about Washington. Hamilton is offended, but Washington orders Hamilton to ignore the comments. Laurens volunteers to duel Lee so that Hamilton may avoid disobeying Washington's orders ("Stay Alive"). Laurens wins the duel by injuring Lee ("Ten Duel Commandments"). Washington is enraged at the duel, and orders Hamilton to return home to his wife ("Meet Me Inside"). When Hamilton returns home, Eliza tells him she is pregnant with a son. She reassures a hesitant Hamilton that he is enough for her as long as he allows her to be a part of his life ("That Would Be Enough").

Lafayette takes a larger leadership role in the revolution, convincing France to join the American cause, and the balance shifts in favor of the Continental Army. Washington and Lafayette realize they can win the war by cutting off the British navy at Yorktown, but they will need Hamilton to do so, and the general reluctantly gives him his long-awaited command ("Guns and Ships"). On the eve of battle, Washington recalls his disastrous first command, and advises Hamilton that no man can control how he is remembered ("History Has Its Eyes on You"). After several days of fighting, the Continental Army is victorious. The British surrender in the last major battle of the war ("Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)"). His forces defeated, King George sarcastically asks the rebels how they expect to govern on their own without their people hating them ("What Comes Next?").

Soon after the revolution, Hamilton’s son Philip is born, while Burr has a daughter, Theodosia ("Dear Theodosia"). Hamilton and Burr both return to New York to finish their studies and pursue careers as lawyers. Burr is in awe of Hamilton's "Non-Stop" work ethic and becomes increasingly irritated by his success. Hamilton is chosen as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787. Hamilton enlists James Madison and John Jay to write The Federalist Papers after Burr refuses. The newly elected President Washington enlists Hamilton for the job of Treasury Secretary, despite Eliza's pleas ("Non-Stop").

Act Two[edit]
In 1789, Thomas Jefferson returns to the U.S. from France, where he spent most of the Article of Confederation era as an ambassador. Washington has asked him to be Secretary of State under the new Constitution, and Madison asks for Jefferson's help to stop Hamilton's financial plan, which Madison believes gives the government too much control ("What'd I Miss?"). Jefferson and Hamilton then engage in debate over the merits of Hamilton's financial plan during a Cabinet meeting. Washington pulls Hamilton aside, and tells him to figure out a compromise to win over Congress ("Cabinet Battle #1").

While working at home, Eliza reminds Hamilton of Philip's ninth birthday. Philip presents Hamilton with a short rap/poem he composed, amazing his father. In England, Angelica corresponds with Hamilton, advising him to convince Jefferson of his plan so Congress accepts it, and informs him that she will be coming to New York to travel upstate to her father's home with their family. Upon arrival, Eliza and Angelica try to persuade Hamilton to accompany them on vacation, but Hamilton refuses, saying that he has to work on his plan for Congress, staying in Albany while the family goes upstate. ("Take a Break").

While alone, Hamilton is visited by Maria Reynolds, who claims her husband is mistreating her. When Hamilton offers to help her, she seduces him and they begin an affair. Maria's husband James Reynolds blackmails Hamilton into paying him money; in return, Reynolds will not tell Hamilton's wife about the affair. Hamilton is furious with Maria, but pays Reynolds and continues the affair ("Say No To This").

Hamilton discusses his plan with Jefferson and Madison over a private dinner, which results in the Compromise of 1790, giving support to Hamilton's financial plan in exchange for moving the United States capital from New York to Virginia. Burr is envious of Hamilton's sway in the government and wishes he had similar power ("The Room Where It Happens").

Burr defeats Eliza’s father, Philip Schuyler, in a race for his seat in the Senate. Hamilton considers Burr unprincipled, switching political parties seemingly for sole political gain; Burr says he was simply seizing the opportunity, driving a wedge between the two friends ("Schuyler Defeated").

In another cabinet meeting, Jefferson and Hamilton argue over whether the United States should assist France in their revolution. Washington ultimately agrees with Hamilton’s argument for remaining neutral ("Cabinet Battle #2"). After the meeting, Burr, Jefferson, and Madison bemoan how nice it must be for Hamilton to always have Washington's support, and they seek a way to damage Hamilton's image ("Washington on Your Side").

Washington tells Hamilton that Jefferson has resigned from his position in government in order to run for president, and that Washington himself is stepping down. Hamilton is shocked, but Washington convinces him that it is the right thing to do, and they write a farewell address ("One Last Time"). In England, King George III receives news about Washington's step down from leadership and the election of John Adams. The king exits merrily, ready for the United States to fall under Adams' leadership ("I Know Him").

Adams and Hamilton have a huge altercation and effectively destroy the Federalist Party ("The Adams Administration"). Thinking they have discovered a scandal capable of destroying Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison and Burr accuse him of embezzling government money and committing treason. In reality, however, they found the transactions from his affair with Maria Reynolds. Hamilton, knowing that the truth is the only way out, tells them about his affair and begs them not to tell anyone ("We Know"). Still worried that they will tell, Hamilton thinks about how writing openly and honestly has saved him in the past ("Hurricane"), and publicly writes "The Reynolds Pamphlets" to come clean about the affair, hoping to save his political legacy ("The Reynolds Pamphlet"). His personal reputation, however, is ruined. In despondence, Eliza tearfully burns their correspondence, destroying Hamilton’s chance at being redeemed by "future historians" and keeping the world from knowing how she reacted, by "erasing herself from the narrative" ("Burn").

Years pass, and Hamilton’s son Philip challenges a man named George Eacker to a duel for his slander of Hamilton’s reputation. Philip aims for the sky from the beginning of the duel, but at the count of seven, Eacker shoots him ("Blow Us All Away"). Philip is taken to a doctor, accompanied by his father. A horrified Eliza arrives, and counts to ten in French with him as she used to when he was little ("Stay Alive (Reprise)"). In the aftermath of Philip’s death, the Hamiltons move uptown. Hamilton asks for Eliza’s forgiveness, which he eventually receives ("It’s Quiet Uptown").

"The Election of 1800" results in President John Adams being defeated, with Jefferson and Burr deadlocked in a tie. Hamilton is upset that Burr has once again changed his ideals for personal gain, and instead throws his support behind Jefferson, who ends up winning the delegates by a landslide. Burr, enraged, exchanges letters with Hamilton and challenges him to a duel ("Your Obedient Servant"). Before sunrise on the morning of the duel, Eliza asks Hamilton to come back to bed, but he says he has to leave and gives her the reputation of "Best of Wives and Best of Women" ("Best of Wives and Best of Women").

Burr and Hamilton travel to New Jersey for the duel. As a shot sounds, Hamilton soliloquizes on death, his relationships, and his legacy. He aims his pistol at the sky and is struck by Burr’s shot, dying soon after. Burr laments that even though he survived, he's cursed to be the villain in history, remembered only as the man who killed Alexander Hamilton ("The World Was Wide Enough").

The company congregates to close the story. Washington enters and reminds the audience that they have no control over how they will be remembered. Eliza explains how she fights to save her husband's legacy over the next 50 years and frets that she has not done enough, and she then asks the audience who will tell their story once she is gone. As she dies, Hamilton shows her all those who will care for and protect her legacy as she did for him ("Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story").[8]