From the Book - First edition.
On the origins of revolution, both national & musical, with reference to opening numbers & White House raps -- In which Tommy Kail is introduced, and his adventures with Lin surveyed -- Giving the history of Ron Chernow, along with remarks on who may play a founding father -- In which the character of New York City is considered in its musical and scenic aspects, by reference to David Korins and a curious episode of historical vertigo -- Stakes is high; or, what happened at Lincoln Center and what came after, including lunch with Jeffrey Seller -- On the orchestrating techniques of Alex Lacamoire, with lively appearances by Van Halen, Elmo, and an actual Beatle -- On the character of George Washington and the character of Chris Jackson -- Concerning the lady and the tramp, in olden days and our own, with reference to "Helpless" and many songs that feature Ja Rule -- On the perfect union of actor and role, with allusion to Renée Elise Goldsberry -- The same subject continued, with allusion to Leslie Odom, Jr., plus remarks on the virtues and merits of union -- Wherein mobb deep is sampled, and the immortal Biggie Smalls is revived -- Of Oskar Eustis, his politics, his eventful career, his thoughts on verse drama, and his stewardship of The Public Theater, with a word about The Pharcyde -- On Phillipa Soo and the trouble with goodness -- On Paul Tazewell and the fashion of revolution -- By which it will appear that good history makes good drama, and in which Sebastian Miranda makes his debut -- On "Non-Stop," both the song and the way of life, as manifest by Andy Blankenbuehler and The Public Theater's props department --
In New York you can be a new man, or, the story of Oak and Daveed
An account of rapping for the children, who will one day rap for themselves
Did they or didn't they? Or, some discourse on affairs
In which advantages are derived from listening to the Broadway old masters and Jasmine Cephas Jones
On being in "The Room Where It Happens" with the cast of A Chorus Line, plus a brief account of Nevin Steinberg bringing boom-bap to Broadway with speakers the size of refrigerators
A picture of the recording studio, featuring learned comments by Questlove and a thrown shoe
On the origin and persistence of our national shame
Of Jonathan Groff, his royal character, his notable career, his dressing room décor &C.
On killing your darlings, with reference to "The Adams Administration," the seductions of Ben Franklin, and songs on the cutting-room floor
In which the hero blows up his spot, with the assistance of Howell Binkley's lights and other forms of ingenious stagecraft
Giving an account of a hurricane, with a notable appearance by President Obama, and the remarkable rise of Anthony Ramos
A grieving chapter: on losses beyond words
Containing a dialogue on ambition, and some topical comments, from David Brooks and Christopher Hayes
Further thoughts on ambition, as it pertains to the playwright and the enigmatic Burr
How the duel was fought, and rewritten, and fought again, as the clock ran out
What is a legacy? Or, a sketch of opening night, and what came after, and what might come next.
