Sometimes we just wish to involved. In art, in work, socially, it is never fun to look on in from the outside. But what about in U.S History? What about in the creation of a newly independent nation? If the person in question was an outsider by choice, and has now seen the fruits of that, has seen what waiting for it truly costs, and wants something a little bit more. As we continue on this monthly Hamilton journey culminating with celebration of the shows tenth anniversary, I wanted to talk about the other side of the coin, Hamilton's ambition is a focal point of the show, but so is Burr's a very different, more relaxed form of ambition. But I wanted to take a peek at a point in which those philosophies and ambitions collided, in "The Room Where It Happens", one of if not my favorite song in ACT 2.
The song follows Burr as an outsider seeing politics play out and commentating on it, interacting with Hamilton in which Hamilton tells Burr how you can't wait for things to accomplish your goals, that getting love, getting hate, will always be more then just waiting for the perfect moment to dive in. Hamilton willing to compromise to see his dreams come true, as Burr throughout the whole show this point has only waited until the moment was right, or where he would benefit most, even changing political sides and ideologies to see which fares better. Burr then being left wanting to be a part of shaping the nation, the politics, to be in the room where it happens.
We see two sides of ambition, one who is willing to do everything, and one willing to do what is needed but only when needed. Seeing Burr being tested at this moment changes the emotional trajectory for the rest of the show, seeing people around him doing such things, and he is on the outside. Leading to an emotionally charged moment where he wants to just be there, where he knows what it takes, with lyrics such as "We dream of a brand new start. But we dream in the dark for the most part, dark as a tomb where it happens, I got to be in the Room..". He has spent the whole time mentioning what these deals are made of, and how so few know what truly happens besides closed doors.
This song much like so many of the show is packed with genuine, real, emotion, an emotion of wanting to be a part of something. It shows that at the core of decisions we question in this life, that sometimes there were once real feelings and longings.
The song is packed with great lyrics, and a great instrumentation. Making it great within the story, but also just so fun to listen to on its own, as just stated with many songs in this musical. This song has emotions that can relay back to the audience and resonate with the one listening to the song, perhaps as Burr or as Hamilton. Hamilton's ambition, willing to compromise with enemies, and the work he is put in is evident throughout this song, even though it's not his song. Which can be true of many of Burr's songs, very seldom of them don't involve Hamilton, even "Wait For It" shows his views on Alexander's life. Seeing a moment where Alexander calls everything that Burr stands for into question, showing that standing for nothing leads to falling for everything.
Calling back to a poignant and wonderful song from ACT 1 that defined a character and the decisions they made, and with those comments, pushing that character into wanting to be something more. This song has comedy in it as well, with some well placed jokes from those on the inside, tying everything into a very real song. This song has great pacing, does not overstay its welcome, and propels the plot forward as a stepping stone that led to that fateful duel. All because of a desire, a deep want to help shape, and to match the ambition of someone, to join those viewed as ahead. The want to be in the room where it happens.
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