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.
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