Lunch break

The American history teacher at my son's high school is a capable but older and stodgy woman who tries to engage the young people she faces today, and sometimes fails to get through to them. But I'm sure she would not really be down with this rendition, and for her to try to use it with her kids might be overreaching. Some rivers are too wide to be bridged.

I wonder if this sort of treatment works (as an amusement tool rather than an educational tool) for those who have some knowledge of Hamilton (or of whomever or whatever the subject is), but is pretty ineffective for the newcomer. e.g., Complete Works of Shakespeare, that sort of thing.

It gives you a hook to hang your hat on, my social studies teacher used to say -- a point of reference. Not a substitute for expert knowledge but a way in -- an adjunct that serves the purpose of cultural literacy. Popular culture has always performed this function.

I saw him perform this at John Jay College last week. Very nice.