Act I
The musical begins with the company summarizing 's early life as an orphan in the (""). Hamilton was born out of wedlock in the —his father abandoned him in the boy's early youth and his mother died when Hamilton was 12. By 19, Hamilton has made his way to the , a dedicated supporter of .
In the summer of 1776 in New York City, Hamilton seeks out . Burr advises the overenthusiastic Hamilton to "talk less; smile more". Hamilton is unable to understand why Burr would rather exercise caution than fight for his beliefs ("Aaron Burr, Sir"). Hamilton bonds with three fellow revolutionaries: abolitionist , the flamboyant Frenchman , and the tailor's apprentice . Hamilton dazzles them with his rhetorical skills ("") and they dream of laying down their lives for their cause (""). Meanwhile, the wealthy Schuyler sisters—, , and —wander the streets of New York, excited by the spirit of revolution in the air ("").
, a vocal , preaches against the , and Hamilton ("Farmer Refuted"). A message arrives from , reminding the colonists that he is able and willing to fight for their submission ("").
The revolution is underway, and Hamilton, Burr, and their friends join the . As the army , General realizes he needs help to win the war. Though Hamilton desires a command and to fight on the front lines, he recognizes the opportunity Washington offers him, and accepts a position as his ("Right Hand Man").
In the winter of 1780, the men attend a ball given by , and Hamilton sets his sights on the man's daughters ("A Winter's Ball"). Eliza falls instantly in love, and after being introduced by Angelica, Eliza and Hamilton soon wed (""). Angelica is also smitten with Hamilton, but swallows her feelings for the sake of her sister's happiness (""). Hamilton, Laurens, Lafayette and Mulligan drunkenly celebrate the marriage when Burr arrives to offer congratulations. After Laurens teases him, Burr admits that he is having an affair with , the wife of a British officer (""). Hamilton urges Burr to make the relationship public. Burr, however, prefers to wait and see what life has in store for him rather than take any drastic measures ("").
As the revolution continues, Hamilton repeatedly petitions Washington to give him command, but Washington refuses, instead promoting . This decision proves disastrous at the , where Lee orders a retreat against Washington's orders, which prompts the commander to remove him from command in favor of Lafayette. Disgruntled, Lee spreads slanderous and vindictive rumors about Washington ("Stay Alive"). Hamilton is offended, but Washington orders Hamilton to ignore the comments. Hamilton does not wish to do so, but cannot disobey a direct order; instead, Laurens Lee, with Hamilton as his second, and Burr as Lee's second. Laurens is satisfied after he injures Lee and Lee yields (""). Washington is angered by the duel, and orders Hamilton to return home to his wife ("Meet Me Inside"). When Hamilton returns home, Eliza tells him she is pregnant. She reassures a hesitant Hamilton that he doesn't need fame or fortune to live a happy life by her side ("That Would Be Enough").
Lafayette takes a larger leadership role in the revolution, persuading France to join the American cause, and the balance shifts in favor of the Continental Army. Washington and Lafayette realize they can win the war by , but they will need Hamilton to do so, and the general offers him his long-desired command ("Guns and Ships"). On the eve of battle, Washington recalls his disastrous first command, and advises Hamilton that no man can control how he is remembered ("History Has Its Eyes on You"). After several days of fighting, the Continental Army is victorious. The British surrender in the last major battle of the war ("Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)"). His forces defeated, King George asks the rebels how they expect to successfully govern on their own ("What Comes Next?").
Soon after the victory at Yorktown, Hamilton's son is born, while Burr has a daughter, (""). Hamilton receives word that Laurens has been killed in a seemingly pointless battle (the ) and throws himself into his work. (""). Hamilton and Burr both return to New York to finish their studies and pursue careers as lawyers. Burr is in awe of Hamilton's unyielding work ethic and becomes increasingly irritated by his success. Hamilton is chosen as a delegate to the in the summer of 1787. Hamilton enlists and to write after Burr refuses. Angelica announces that she has found a husband and will be moving to London. The newly elected President Washington enlists Hamilton for the job of , despite Eliza's protests ("Non-Stop").
