Hamilton and Me - by Giles Terera (Paperback)

About the Book

"When Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical Hamilton opened in London's West End in December 2017, it was as huge a hit as it had been in its original production off - and on Broadway. Lauded by critics and audiences alike, the show would go on to win a record-equalling seven Olivier Awards -- including Best Actor in a Musical for Giles Terera, for his portrayal of Aaron Burr. For Terera, though, his journey as Burr had begun more than a year earlier, with his first audition in New York, and continuing through extensive research and preparation, intense rehearsals, previews and finally opening night itself. Throughout this time he kept a journal, recording his experiences of the production and his process of creating his award-winning performance. This book, Hamilton and Me, is that journal."--

Book Synopsis

"One of the most joyous and clear-eyed approaches to playing a character that I have ever read...I was already in awe of his performance; now I'm in awe of his humanity and attention to detail, and willingness to share the hard work and magic that goes into it." --Lin-Manuel Miranda, from his Foreword

Hamilton and Me is a unique, behind-the-scenes account of preparing for, rehearsing and performing in one of the most important cultural phenomena of our time.

When Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical Hamilton opened in London's West End in December 2017, it was as huge a hit as it had been in its original production off and on Broadway. Lauded by critics and audiences alike, the show would go on to win a record-equaling seven Olivier Awards--including Best Actor in a Musical for Giles Terera, for his portrayal of Aaron Burr.

For Terera, though, his journey as Burr had begun more than a year earlier, with his first audition in New York, and continuing through extensive research and preparation, intense rehearsals, previews, and finally opening night itself. Throughout this time he kept a journal, recording his experiences of the production and the process of creating his award-winning performance. This book, Hamilton and Me, is that journal.

It is also deeply personal, as Terera reflects on experiences from his life that he drew on to shape his acclaimed portrayal. Illustrated with photographs and featuring an exclusive foreword by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this book is essential reading for all fans of Hamilton----offering fresh, first-hand insights into the music and characters they know and love so well--and for aspiring and current performers or students, and anyone who wants to discover what it really felt like to be in the room where it happened.

Review Quotes

PRAISE FOR HAMILTON AND ME

"This is a book written by a superlative actor and essential reading for any young actor about the way to approach a part." --Dame Judi Dench

"Giles Terera gives us a master class in the art of acting and a marvelously candid glimpse into the world of Hamilton behind the scenes. We get all the magic of the show, but also the patience, discipline, and the hard work of the actors who make it soar. Every Hamilton buff and avid theatergoer will cherish this memoir." --Ron Chernow, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Alexander Hamilton

"Essential reading for the still growing legions of fans of the musical... Especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community and academic library American Theatre collections."--Midwest Book Review

PRAISE FOR GILES TERERA

"Giles Terera is terrific as Aaron Burr, who narrates this story, anchoring it, managing to hold together the whole exploding maelstrom." --The Times

"A star-making performance...as the ambitious Burr, Terera has a cool shrewdness. But there are notes of resentment, awkwardness and longing in his performance--Burr's appetite for politics is quickened by a thwarted desire to be, as one second-half song emphasizes, in 'the room where it happens.'" --Evening Standard

"A lithe, even slimey, solitary figure always desperately trying and failing to fit in, Terera grounds Burr's growing resentment beautifully...Terera's Burr has a gnat-like quality, easily swatted away despite his brilliance. Little wonder life grinds him down to bitterness, even something like madness and, as Burr's star falls and his life stalls, Terera's eyes cross in blinkered enmity. You feel for him hugely." --Variety

"Giles Terera is splendid as Burr, the frenemy and nemesis who is Salieri to Hamilton's Mozart, all silky, privileged containment and disengaged calculation as opposed to his fellow orphan's committed impetuosity." --Independent

"As Aaron Burr, Giles Terera gives a shiny performance that shows how his character's smoothness becomes his nemesis." --New York Times

About the Author

Giles Terera MBE is award-winning actor, musician, and writer.

He trained at Mountview Theatre School and has worked consistently at venues such as the National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare's Globe. He is best known for originating the role of Aaron Burr in the London production of the award-winning musical Hamilton, for which he won the 2018 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

His other theatre credits include Rosmersholm, The Tempest, Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon, 125^th Street, Rent (West End); Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Hamlet, Death and the King's Horseman, The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other, Troilus and Cressida, Candide, Honk (National Theatre); The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare's Globe); The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Donmar Warehouse); The Playboy of the Western World (Abbey, Dublin); The Ratpack (West End/international tour); Jailhouse Rock (Theatre Royal Plymouth/West End); The Tempest (RSC); among many others.

As a writer his theatre work includes The Meaning of Zong (Bristol Old Vic), The Ballad of Soho Jones (St. James), and Black Matter (Crazy Coqs). As a filmmaker, Terera's first documentary Muse of Fire, created with Dan Poole, premiered on BBC Four in 2013 and he wrote and directed the concert film Hello Harry! A Celebration.

Giles was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honors for services to theatre.