Tony Drovetto is MoPOP's Content Marketing Manager.
I.C.Y.M.I.: 'Hamilton' Comes To Disney+, Elton John Announces Classic Concert Series & More
Greetings, fellow pop culture aficionados, and welcome to week 21 of our I.C.Y.M.I. (In Case You Missed It) blog series. Our museum may be temporarily closed to visitors based on guidance from public health officials to slow the spread of coronavirus, but we're still here to recap a handful of trending tidbits from the past week(s) in popular culture, in case you missed them.
Last week we highlighted the star-studded 'All In WA' virtual concert for COVID-19 relief, which featured performances from several friends of MoPOP including Pearl Jam, 2019 Founders Award honoree Brandi Carlile, Sound Off! alum Travis Thompson, and more. This week, we begin with a notable release on Disney+. Read on!
The Original Broadway Production of Hamilton Comes To Disney+
Beginning Friday, July 3, Disney+ viewers will have streaming access to the original production of Hamilton. Recorded at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 2016, Hamilton blends hip-hop, R&B, and Broadway to create a modern retelling of Alexander Hamilton's journey to becoming an American Founding Father. The show was originally set for an October 2021 theatrical release, but world events shifted its debut.
Created by writer-composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who's also one of the original cast members featured, Hamilton was a smash hit around the globe, earning a record-setting 16 Tony nominations in 2016 and winning 11. Presented as a "story of America then, told by America now," the Founding Fathers and most of the cast are played by Black and brown actors who perform musical numbers which are, "simultaneously timely and timeless, speaking to the events onstage and the events happening in the world today," says latimes.com.
"I'm so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to July 4th weekend of this year, in light of the world turning upside down," Miranda says in a statement from May. "'I'm so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I'm so glad that we're able to make it happen. I'm so proud of this show. I can't wait for you to see it."
Elton John Introduces YouTube Concert Series
This past week, Elton John announced a brand new concert series that will premiere every Saturday for the next six weeks on his YouTube channel. Containing full footage from some of John's most memorable shows throughout his career, the series will support the Elton John AIDS Foundation and its efforts battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
"My foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund helps frontline partners prepare for and respond to the pandemic and its effects on HIV prevention and care for the most marginalized communities," John says in a statement. "We cannot jeopardise HIV testing and care during this time or else the results could be disastrous for the 37.5 million people living with HIV. So, I’m really happy to connect this YouTube Concert series to benefit our Foundation’s urgent COVID response."
The series debuts Friday, July 3 with footage from John's 1976 show at the Playhouse Theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland, a set that includes John's first-ever solo performance of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."
Unsolved Mysteries Returns
One of the original true crime TV shows is back, with new episodes of Unsolved Mysteries making its way to Netflix this week, 33 years after its initial debut. Followers of the original series may remember the show's (somewhat corny) reenactments of stories being told, but according to Rolling Stone those are gone in the reboot. Instead, we see family members, witnesses, and friends relaying each story. The 6-episode season is now streaming.
What Else To Catch Up On This Weekend
- Here at MoPOP, we announced the latest inductees to our Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, welcoming two new creations and two new creators to our more than 100 Hall of Fame members.
- Our POP+ Pride programming wrapped up this past week with MoPOP Museum Educator Nabilah Ahmed offering a brief history of the feminist punk movement that has roots here in the Pacific Northwest.
- Jenn, one of our former MoPOP volunteers, shed light on a playful Nirvana fan club letter penned by Kurt Cobain which announces the departure of drummer Chad Channing from the band.
- And we also caught up with MoPOP members Myles and Hannah Marcus, who share what makes our nonprofit museum special to them.
What'd We Miss?
Now that we've filled you in on a few things, what do you feel we failed to mention? Let us know in the comments, or hit us up with a suggestion on social media. We'll look to include your ideas in our next edition of I.C.Y.M.I.
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