As the blockbuster musical “Hamilton” concludes its two-week run in Chattanooga this weekend, a different perspective on the American founding father and the artist who brought him to the forefront of pop culture takes the stage.
“The Haunting of Lin-Manuel Miranda” is a satirical play by Chattanooga-born author, playwright and poet Ishmael Reed that finds Miranda in his own version of “A Christmas Carol.”
The “Hamilton” creator receives spectral visits from the people whose voices, Reed said by phone, were unheard in the musical, including enslaved people, indigenous people and a white indentured servant. Local organizations Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts and Ideas, Next Exit Productions, Scenic City Shakespeare and Lookout Live are collaborating on a production of Reed’s play at The Howard School.
Reed wrote his counterpoint play because he took issue with the musical’s portrayal of Hamilton as an abolitionist, which is false, Reed said.
“The whole premise of the musical was fraudulent,” Reed said. “And, I think they tried to distract from Hamilton’s slave-owning career by using Black actors. Of course, there’s a lot of eye candy on stage. I think the dancing and the singing is what distracted the audience from realizing the full history of Alexander Hamilton.”