The Jabberwock

By Pietro Waterman

Back in 2018 at the Kennedy Center Honors, Renée Elise Goldsberry (Angelica), Phillipa Soo (Eliza), and Jasmine Cephas Jones (Peggy) performed “The Schuyler Sisters” to show off Lin-Manuel Miranda’s revolutionary “Hamilton.” Their performance did an exceptional job of exemplifying who the Schuyler sisters were and how they were different from the other women of the time.

Miranda’s “The Schuyler Sisters” is sung by Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy Schuyler, who introduces us to their character’s qualities and their goal of finding a man during the Revolution. Angelica says, “I’ve been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine/So men say that I’m intense or I’m insane/And when I meet Thomas Jefferson/I’m ‘a compel him to include women in the sequel!” Angelica’s rebellious diction helps us understand her character much better than what’s on the surface. She was well-educated in political matters and believed that women should have the same rights that men do. I truly love the way Miranda demonstrates her feminist intelligence in a catchy, and exciting way. Additionally, she says, “You want a revolution? I want a revelation/So listen to my declaration:/And when I meet Thomas Jefferson/I’m ‘a compel him to include women in the sequel!” Angelica uses the word “revelation,” which is pivotal to our understanding of her and her thoughts on the time period. The word “revelation” signifies a dramatic change, and Angelica observes how there needs to be this great shift for women to get the rights and privileges they deserve. While many are focused on the Revolution, she’s so determined to get equality that she would go to Thomas Jefferson himself to right men’s wrongs.

As important and impactful as they are, the underlying meanings in Angelica’s lyrics wouldn’t have as much of an effect without her sisters singing alongside her. For example, every time the sisters say their names (“Angelica!/Eliza!/and Peggy!”), or even when they’re just singing in general, they harmonize and build off of each other’s voices. This connection shows their dependency on each other, especially Angelica’s lead. It’s also pleasing for the viewer to listen to their consistent vocals.

The sisters send us off with a bang in their last line, “In the greatest city in the world,” as all background music stops and the sisters sing at a higher pitch and volume. Their dramatic volta accentuates their belief in the greatness of their hometown and, as Miranda writes, “our love letter to New York.” It emphasizes that the Schuyler sisters are happy where they are, and serves as a dramatic finish to their song.

Lin-Manuel Miranda did an amazing job at introducing the exceptional lives of Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy Schuyler, and I’d definitely recommend it to those who want an incredible, showstopping performance!