By Ann Laird Jones, leader for “Illuminating the Text” course offered at the upcoming Columbia Theological Seminary Spiritual Formation Week in Montreat
February 9, 2017—The Broadway musical Hamilton (which I have only heard but never seen) catches you at every turn. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s lyrics, music, and choreography of space bring the story of Alexander Hamilton alive—a person whose face we have seen for years and years on every $10 bill we happen to come across, yet whose details have remained largely unknown—and in the process completely captures our imaginations. I have listened to the brilliant lyrics for twelve hours at a stretch, as I drive from state to state. Hamilton is a clear example of how the arts allow us to see text anew—an old text, an old story—brought to life as if for the first time. Read more…