7 p.m.
Williamsburg Library Theatre
repeated
Tuesday, August 5
2 p.m.
Kitzinger Community Room
James City County Library
ALEXANDER HAMILTON: IN WORLDS UNKNOWN
(40 minutes)
Commissioned as a companion piece to the New-York Historical Society's exhibition, "Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America," Don Winslow's multimedia play is derived largely from Hamilton's own words. While actors playing various figures - Washington, Jefferson, John Adams - appear on a screen in videotaped sequences, the stage belongs to an actor who portrays Hamilton and an actress who plays the three most important women in his life.
Hamilton emerges as a brave, sometimes flawed but heroic man. Not a typical politician, he refused to compromise his ideals to win popularity. Condemning slavery while most New Yorkers still supported it, he founded the city's first school for free black children. Although many of his ideas for the fledgling United States were ultimately adopted - a two-house Congress, for instance - he was unfairly branded a monarchist for favoring a strong central government. While he and Jefferson despised each other, he still supported Jefferson for president over Aaron Burr. And he had a sense of humor. Told by his wife that his enemies considered him "indiscreet, vain and opinionated," he replies, "It is refreshing to know they are not always wrong."
Mr. Winslow presents Hamilton's duel with Burr as almost a form of suicide. Hamilton was despondent over the death of his son (who also died in a duel, defending his father's reputation) and felt out of step with the times. The play has him fire into the air because he feels it is not Christian to take a life under such circumstances.
immediately followed by:
from New York: A Documentary Film
(20 minutes)
A segment from the 14 1/2 hour PBS documentary by Ric Burns that explores New York City’s rich history as the premier laboratory of modern life. Perhaps more than anyone else, Alexander Hamilton was responsible for transforming the City into the business and financial capital of the country.
Programs associated with this exhibit are made possible through a grant from the Friends of Williamsburg Regional Library.
Free, no reservations needed
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