Phillipa Soo
Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story (2014 Workshop)
[ELIZA]
"My very dear Eliza, this letter will not be delivered to you unless I shall first have terminated my earthly career to begin a happy immortality. I'd need not tell you of the pangs I feel from the idea of quitting you and exposing you to the anguish which I know you would feel. Nor could I dwell on the topic lest it should unman me. Fly to the bosom of your God and be comforted. With my last idea; I shall cherish the sweet hope of meeting you in a better world. Adieu best of wives and best of women. Ever yours, Alexander."
[WASHINGTON]
Let me tell you what I wish I'd known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control:
[WASHINGTON AND COMPANY]
Who lives
Who dies
Who tells your story?
[BURR]
President Jefferson:
[JEFFERSON]
With Hamilton gone, I dismantled the Federalist party
He did leave us with good credit though
I got Louisiana on sale
[WASHINGTON AND COMPANY]
Who lives
Who dies
Who tells your story?
[BURR]
President Madison:
[MADISON]
He was in a position to enrich himself a thousand ways, and he didn't
Does that make him foolish
Or honest?
[WASHINGTON AND COMPANY]
Who lives
Who dies
Who tells your story?
[ANGELICA]
Every other founding father story gets told
Every other founding father gets to grow old
[BURR]
And when you're gone, who remembers your name?
Who keeps your flame?[BURR AND MEN]
Who tells your story?
Who tells your story?
[ANGELICA AND WOMEN]
Who tells your story?
Your story?
[WOMEN]
Eliza
[ELIZA]
I put myself back in the narrative
[WOMEN]
Eliza
[ELIZA]
I stop wasting time on tears
I live another fifty years
It's not enough
[WOMEN]
Eliza
[ELIZA]
I interview every soldier who fought by your side
[MULLIGAN/LAFAYETTE/LAURENS]
We tell your story
[ELIZA]
I try to make sense of your thousands of pages of writings
You really do write like you're running out of-
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[ELIZA]
I rely on-
[ANGELICA AND ELIZA]
Angelica
[ELIZA]
While she's alive
[ANGELICA AND ELIZA]
We tell your story
[ELIZA]
She is buried in Trinity Church
[ANGELICA AND ELIZA]
Near you
[ELIZA]
When I needed her most, she was right on-
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[ELIZA]
Every day is new
I ask myself, "What would you do if you had more-"
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[ELIZA]
The Lord, in his kindness
He gives me what you always wanted
He gives me more-
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[ELIZA]
I live to meet so many subsequent presidents
[MEN]
She tells your story
[ELIZA]
I speak out against slavery
You could've done so much more if you only had-
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[ELIZA]
And I ask myself, "Have I done enough?"
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Will they tell your story?
[ELIZA]
Oh. Can I show you what I'm proudest of?
[WOMEN]
The orphanage
[ELIZA]
I established the first private orphanage in New York City
[WOMEN]
The orphanage
[ELIZA]
I help to raise hundreds of children
I get to see them growing up
[WOMEN]
The orphanage[ELIZA]
In their eyes I see you, Alexander
I see you every time
And when my time is up, have I done enough?
Will they tell my story? [COMPANY]
Time
Will they tell your story?
[ELIZA]
Oh, I can't wait to see you again
[ELIZA AND HAMILTON]
It's only a matter of-
[ELIZA/HAMILTON/COMPANY]
Time