Go Behind the Scenes of Broadway's Hit Musical With Hamilton's America

Alex Horwitz’s documentary is set to air on PBS.

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda (right) with orchestrator Alex Lacamoire and director Thomas Kail on their Broadway opening night.
Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda (right) with orchestrator Alex Lacamoire (left) and director Thomas Kail on their Broadway opening night.
(© David Gordon)

Alex Horwitz's Hamilton's America, a behind-the-scenes look at the history of Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit musical Hamilton, is set to air tonight on PBS as part of the Great Performances series. The two-hour special will begin at 9pm, kicking off the annual Arts Fall Festival.

The behind-the-scenes documentary will explore the creation of the musical, following Miranda as he composes songs in Aaron Burr's actual bedroom; Christopher Jackson (who portrays George Washington in the show) as he takes a trip to Washington's grave; Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr. (who plays Aaron Burr) as they visit the Museum of American Finance; and Renée Elise Goldsberry, Phillipa Soo, and Jasmine Cephas Jones as they discover the lives of the Schuyler Sisters. The film will also include interviews with experts and personalities, as well as footage of the production onstage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

Directed by Thomas Kail and inspired by Ron Chernow's biography Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton explores the life of the American founding father and first Secretary of the Treasury, as well as his experiences as an orphan of the British West Indies who immigrated to the 13 Colonies and helped shape the United States of America. The show, which had its world premiere at the Public Theater, features a hip-hop score written by Miranda.

In addition to winning the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards this year, including the evening's biggest prize, Best Musical. The show's creator Lin-Manuel Miranda took home two prizes himself for both Book and Score, while his costar Leslie Odom Jr. bested him in the Leading Actor category. Cast members Renée Elise Goldsberry and Daveed Diggs also added to the musical's total, with wins for their featured performances.

For tickets to the Broadway production, click here.