I have mixed feelings about people of different races "crossing over". I am an opera fan, and am used to seeing black singers in traditionally "white" roles, and this does not concern me. Opera is not quite "real", and if can accept a 200 lb soprano or tenor as a romantic lead, we can accept a black singer in a traditionally white role. Where I have a problem is if race is a factor in the opera, such as Aida, Porgy and Bess, Otello, then it would not be proper to cross races.
The other area where I have a problem is historical personages. I don't care to see a play or opera or film about white people being played by black people. I would not care to see Alexander Hamilton or any other founding father played by black people any more than I would care to see Frederick Douglass played by a white actor. However, I would probably cut the musical Hamilton some slack as it is a hip-hop show anyway, and I don't consider hip-hop to be music so I don't much care about it.
I think the question with regards to a historical presentation, when you take something that is so colossally dramatic as the life of Hamilton, the challenge is how do you present something so massive, so real, so incredible...so completely over the top...and make it speak appropriately to us, today?
I think we run a real risk of seeing the Founding Fathers as static, almost non-human. As strange as it seems....in order for this critically important history to come alive, we need to make radical artistic choices, and that is what they (the creators of Hamilton) have done. It’s crazy. But there is more knowledge now of the Founding Fathers among young people who love the music that there has been in my lifetime. This is a huge conservative victory.
And again, the choices for the performers were originally made only based upon their musical abilities (who sang the music the best). Originally, the work was supposed to be an album. Only later did it become a show....now, fast forward, they did the same process in Chicago, and the cast there is all white (except the bad guy!). So really, for the Hamilton team, it’s all about the music. They can say that legitimately.
I am not a hip hop person, either, and certainly understand that! But the show I would say has hip hop elements, but is not a hip hop show as such. It is chock full of memorable Broadway songs. On one hand, it is “just like Broadway”. On the other hand, it is very new, because of the hip hop elements.
In any event. This is a big topic, and I have beat it to death on other threads. But you “might” consider checking out the music. You “might” be surprised! :)
Now you went and done it!