LOS ALAMIOTS, Calif. — Hamfans? Hamiltonians? Either term is something that everyone should learn, especially as fans old and new have come together this summer and fall to celebrate the 10th anniversary of one of the most successful musicals of all time. With its first-ever showing in theaters this September, and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s continued interest and involvement in the production and the fandom, the “Hamilton” universe is evolving, taking on a life of its own that expands past the Broadway performances and the CD cases its soundtrack was once played on. 

Despite its age, in a world where attention spans are minute and trends come and go on a seemingly weekly basis, the award-winning production has managed to stay relevant with the “Best of Wives and Best of Women,” a social media trend where “Hamilton” fans dress in Founding Father-esque outfits, imitating Alexander Hamilton and lip syncing to the trend’s namesake Broadway show song; even Miranda himself has participated in this hilarious craze.

The love for “Hamilton” has also resurfaced since news broke this past April that former cast member Leslie Odom Jr. will be rejoining the production for a limited time this fall, beginning on Sept. 9 and ending on Nov. 23. Fans were elated at this announcement, seeing as the chances of the entire original cast reuniting are slim to none, due to changes in the cast dynamic after the soured relationship between members Anthony Ramos, (who played John Laurens and Philip Hamilton) and Jasmine Cephas Jones (Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds).

While many musical theater fans still engage with the pop culture aspect of “Hamilton,”  Los Alamitos High School AP U.S. History teacher Mrs. Meider is an advocate for the production’s historical accuracy and utilization as a learning tool. 

“I do actually think it’s a really good way for students to understand things. The songs I always use were the cabinet battles because it made something like the financial plan for the United States something that was like actually fun and interesting,” said Mrs. Meider.

Mrs. Grimshaw, another proud Hamiltonian and LAHS AP U.S. History teacher, echoed this, reiterating the legitimacy of the historical plot points.

“Musicals, TV, film — it actually looks at history and it has its eyes on it. And it will change history. Pop culture affects some of the things we still do today. ‘Hamilton’ made a lot of people interested in history again because it is pretty cool,” said Mrs. Grimshaw.

Students have also found success in implementing the soundtrack into their studying techniques.

“Back in middle school, I would listen to the playlist. It would help. The cabinet battle (scenes are) so true. All the facts are there,” said LAHS sophomore Abigail Jimenez.

Whether it be for studying for a test, enjoying good music, partaking in a trend, or looking at society through an analytical lens, this cultural movement undoubtedly changed lives.