Phillipa Anne Soo, an American actress and singer, gained fame after her performance in Great Comet. She was invited to participate in an early 2014 reading of the musical Hamilton, where she played the role of “Eliza” (Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton). Soo was a finalist in the 2013 Clive Barnes Awards and has since been dominating Broadway since 2016.
Soo’s role in Hamilton is pivotal, as she played Alexander Hamilton’s wife Eliza, who plays a pivotal role in the groundbreaking show. Alexander Hamilton wasn’t the only member of his family to die due to a duel as his oldest son, Philip. In Hamilton, Philip would suffer a similar fate three years earlier.
Soo and actor Steven Pasquale got engaged in February 2016, and they married on September 24, 2017. They have been enjoying a committed relationship and are in love. There are theories that Eliza has died and joined her husband, son, and family on the other side.
At the end of Hamilton, Alexander’s widow Eliza sings a moving speech to the audience that summarizes her life after her husband’s death. The Hamilton family reacts to Pippa’s loss, as it has been two years since Piper lost her Grandpa Piggie.
Phillipa Anne Soo was born in Libertyville, Illinois, on May 31, 1990, and is a Gemini. The song “It’s Quiet Uptown” is the 41st song overall, and the Hamilton family moves uptown to cope with their loss.
In summary, Phillipa Anne Soo is an American actress and singer known for her leading roles on Broadway, particularly in musicals. She has received two Grammy Awards and has been involved in various musical projects, including Hamilton.
| Article | Description | Site |
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| Pippa lost a family member before this show which just … | Pippa lost a family member before this show which just made this performance 1000x more emotional for me | instagram.com |
| In this performance, Phillipa Soo had … | In this performance, Phillipa Soo had ended up losing a family member before the number “It’s Quiet Uptown” and she still had to go out on stage to perform it. | facebook.com |
| Pippa Lost A Family Member | It has been two years since Piper lost her Grandpa Piggie. Piper, I already knew how much you and your whole family miss him so much. | tiktok.com |
📹 Phillipa Soo’s Take on the Famous ‘Hamilton’ Gasp
Broadway actor Phillipa Soo, Jess, and Julia share their theories about Eliza’s famous gasp at the end of ‘Hamilton.’ Hear more …
When Did Phillipa Soo Leave Hamilton?
On July 9, 2016, Phillipa Soo performed her final show as Eliza Hamilton in the acclaimed musical "Hamilton," before the role was handed over to Lexi Lawson. Soo had been with the production since its early workshop days, and alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr., she bid farewell to the show. Miranda publicly announced his departure in June, marking the same date as Soo's exit. On social media, he reflected on his journey of creating "Hamilton," recalling the challenges faced since its inception in 2011. Post her departure, Soo's performance received significant acclaim, earning her a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical.
After her exit, Soo reprised her role for the Disney+ film adaptation in July 2020, captivating audiences with her portrayal of Eliza. Many fans were intrigued by Eliza's emotional gasp at the show's conclusion, prompting discussions about its meaning. Despite stepping away from Broadway, Soo continued her career, taking on notable roles including Prospero in a 2023 production of "The Tempest." Her involvement in "Hamilton" solidified her place in theater history, as she maintained excellence in her performances throughout her tenure.
Who Was The Last To Leave Hamilton?
With the exception of Javier Muñoz, the original Hamilton alternate now in the title role, Onaodowan is the last original principal cast member to depart the musical. The youngest Schuyler sister was the final original cast member to leave Broadway, having since performed the Star-Spangled Banner at the 2017 Super Bowl and guest-starred on HBO's Girls. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, after 12 years with Mercedes including six drivers’ championships, will join Ferrari in 2025.
His departure from Mercedes was announced on February 1, marking the end of a significant era. Hamilton expressed he would miss the "family" feel of Mercedes and fondly remembered Niki Lauda, a former F1 champion. Throughout this season, Hamilton found himself outpaced by teammate George Russell in multiple races and qualifying sessions, acknowledging he "massively underestimated" the difficulties of the 2024 season and the emotional toll of his transition to Ferrari.
His final race for Mercedes will take place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. As for Hamilton’s performance, he faced challenges throughout the season, including a recent race where he finished 12th despite initial optimism. Additionally, original cast members like Leslie Odom Jr. and Jonathan Groff have also moved on from Hamilton, contributing to the musical’s evolving legacy.
Did Phillipa Soo Sing At The Super Bowl?
Phillipa Soo captured the hearts of audiences during her acclaimed run in "Hamilton," and further showcased her talent on a global platform at Super Bowl LI in 2017. Alongside her "Hamilton" co-stars Renée Elise Goldsberry and Jasmine Cephas Jones, she delivered a stirring rendition of "America the Beautiful" during the pregame show. The trio, known for their iconic roles as the Schuyler Sisters—Eliza, Angelica, and Peggy—in the Tony-winning Broadway production, came together for this special performance.
Before the highly anticipated matchup between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Soo, Goldsberry, and Jones harmonized beautifully, bringing their theatrical flair to the national stage. The NFL and Fox confirmed their appearance, highlighting the significance of the event and the talent of these Broadway stars. After her Super Bowl debut, Soo prepared to take on the lead role in "Amélie," marking yet another chapter in her flourishing career. This performance not only celebrated their contributions to theater but also underscored the cultural impact of "Hamilton" on the broader entertainment landscape.
Who Was A Family Member That Alexander Hamilton Lost?
Alexander Hamilton faced immense family loss during his childhood. In 1768, when Hamilton was around 13 years old, his mother, Rachel Faucette, succumbed to a likely case of Yellow Fever, leaving him an orphan. His father, James Hamilton, had abandoned the family two years prior, leaving young Alexander and his brother, James, to navigate life without parental support. After Rachel's death, Alexander briefly found refuge with a merchant named Thomas Stevens, who some speculated might have been his biological father due to their resemblance.
Despite the hardships, Hamilton went on to marry Elizabeth Schuyler and father eight children. Tragically, the Hamilton family endured yet another loss when their son Philip died in a duel at just 19 years old; they subsequently had another son who was also named Philip—a dark reminder of their past. The struggles of Hamilton's early life, including his mother's illness and abandonment by his father, fostered resilience but also an aversion to conflict, as demonstrated in his fateful duel with Aaron Burr.
Hamilton's story encapsulates not only personal tragedy but also how those experiences influenced his later life and career amidst the backdrop of the American Revolution and the founding of a nation.
Did Eliza Forgive Burr?
Eliza Hamilton dedicated her life to protecting and enhancing the reputation of her late husband, Alexander Hamilton, despite his affairs and the turmoil they caused. Following Alexander's death in a duel with Aaron Burr on July 11, 1804, Eliza became the primary caregiver for her sister-in-law, Angelica. Although Alexander's infidelity threatened their marriage, Eliza ultimately chose to forgive him, and they had two more children after reconciling.
Historically, there are claims that Alexander’s affair with Maria Reynolds was a cover for embezzlement, with suggestions that Eliza was complicit and even authored some of the letters attributed to Reynolds. After Alexander's passing, Eliza fought to reclaim his legacy, ultimately taking control of his narrative and preserving it for posterity. In the wake of the tragic duel, New York mourned deeply, while Eliza worked to secure Hamilton's pension and uphold his contributions to history.
In popular culture, particularly in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical, the narrative shifts from Burr’s perspective to Eliza's, reflecting her role in safeguarding Hamilton's legacy. Eliza's efforts included establishing a free school and an orphanage, demonstrating her commitment to charitable causes and the values her husband espoused. Ultimately, Eliza's life exemplifies resilience and devotion, as she transformed personal loss into a lasting legacy that shaped public memory of Alexander Hamilton.
Why Did Soo Leave Hamilton?
Phillipa Soo, known for her role as Eliza Hamilton in the groundbreaking musical "Hamilton," ultimately left the production to originate the title character in Broadway's adaptation of "Amélie." Soo remarked that "Hamilton" was a "mentally difficult show," leading her to realize that its intensity was not sustainable for the long term. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created and starred in "Hamilton," announced he would leave the show on July 9, posting a reflection on the challenges of writing the musical from 2011.
In "Hamilton," the final scene features Eliza singing about her life 50 years after Alexander Hamilton's death, during which she established an orphanage and raised funds for the cause. Following her departure, Soo took on roles in other Broadway shows like "The Parisian Woman" and garnered a noticeable increase in screen credits. The show's finale, "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story," depicts Eliza’s enduring efforts to preserve her husband’s legacy.
A poignant moment comes at the end when Eliza gasps as she looks out at the audience, a gesture that has sparked extensive interpretation among fans. Soo’s portrayal of Eliza has earned her critical acclaim, including a Tony nomination for her performance, which is considered one of the musical's standout roles.
What Was Phillipa Soo In Before Hamilton?
Phillipa Soo is a prominent American actress and singer, best recognized for her performance as Eliza Schuyler Hamilton in the Broadway musical "Hamilton." She gained early acclaim for originating the role of Natasha in the Off-Broadway production of Ars Nova's "Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812," an adaptation of Tolstoy's "War and Peace." Her captivating performance caught the attention of director Thomas Kail and Lin-Manuel Miranda, leading her to participate in an early reading of "Hamilton" in 2014. Soo's portrayal of Eliza earned her a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in 2016, marking a significant milestone as an Asian-descent actress on Broadway.
Prior to "Hamilton," Soo showcased her talents on television, featuring as Lexi on NBC's "Smash." She also played a notable role in the Off-Broadway musical "Hit List" and became a finalist for the 2013 Clive Barnes Awards. After her sweeping success in "Hamilton," Soo starred in "Amélie, A New Musical" and made her Broadway debut, reinforcing her status in the theater world. Her drive to carry Eliza's legacy continues, and she has expressed a deep connection with the role.
Following her Broadway success, she is now making strides in Hollywood, including appearances in the "Hamilton" Disney+ recording. Soo's trajectory reflects her remarkable influence within the realms of both theater and film.
Are There Any Descendants Of Hamilton Alive Today?
Doug Hamilton, a 65-year-old fifth great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton, has represented the Hamilton family at over 100 events. Alexander Hamilton, a prominent founding father and Secretary of the Treasury, was born in 1755/57 and died in a duel in 1804. Despite his historical significance, Doug has faced the challenging task of acknowledging Hamilton's involvement in the slave trade. The Hamilton line continues to thrive, with around 250 known descendants today, some participating in DNA studies to trace their ancestry, categorized mainly under haplogroup I1a2a1a or I-Z140.
Recently, Doug loaned four family heirlooms, including a ring containing a lock of Alexander’s hair, to a museum. He is not alone in preserving the family legacy; other descendants, like Valentine Hollingsworth, also honor their heritage. As a result, the Hamilton legacy remains alive and continues to be explored, revealing the complexity of their ancestral story in the context of American history.
Who Is Phillipa Anne Soo?
Phillipa Anne Soo (born May 31, 1990) is an American actress and singer renowned for her leading roles in Broadway musicals. Born in Libertyville, Illinois, she is best known for originating the role of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton in Lin-Manuel Miranda's critically acclaimed musical, Hamilton, which garnered her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in 2016. Soo's impressive talent has earned her two Grammy Awards and nominations for a Tony Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, underscoring her significant contributions to theater.
Beyond Hamilton, she has showcased her versatile skills in other productions, including her current role as Guenevere in Lerner and Loewe's Camelot and her advocacy for racial equality in representation. Having graduated from the Juilliard School, Soo is celebrated for her musical prowess and acting abilities, with a growing presence in film, landing a major role in the upcoming movie One True Loves, based on a novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. With roots in a musical family and a promising career ahead, Phillipa Soo continues to inspire audiences on stage and screen while promoting diversity in the arts.
📹 ‘Hamilton’ Cast Shares Horror Stories of Forgetting Lines & Lyrics
The cast of ‘Hamilton’ share hilarious stories of when they froze on stage. Hear more from On Broadway on our app! Click here for …
I agree with people who think at the end, Lin is playing himself, and he, as the person who has carried on their story after Eliza passed, brings Eliza to the front of the stage and shows her how many people care and are now sharing their story. I think it’s her realization that she has done enough and that her story was told. It’s beautiful and inspiring and I love it.
heres what i think about what eliza saw towards the end of the song, alexander comes up to eliza and walks behind her. as he does that, he breaks character and is now just lin. but thats still eliza, he takes her hand to let her know its okay, and they walk downstage, lin lets go of eliza and she looks up. I think the gasp is her seeing that not just lin but people have told his story.
to be honest my theory was that she was going into heaven and seeing everybody she’d lost, including Hamilton, and then looking down at Earth and seeing Hamilton’s legacy protected, and then seeing all the people that spent at least three hours of their day just to gather around and listen to his story being gold
Much love to Lin….he said “it varies from Eliza to Eliza (the actresses) what it means” which is a great answer cuz he’s not like I’m the creator this is what it means – but part of me wanted an official answer!! Lol – so I’m so happy she actually answered the question (it wasn’t clickbait for example) and for all the amazing interpretations she gave
I think it is breaking that fourth wall. But during the life of the play, “Eliza” would have seen exactly two completely different modern day Americas. Phillipa, to put it frankly, played Eliza when she got the privilege of seeing an America moving forward. Maybe that was a gasp of relief. A few short months after Pippa left, “Eliza” looked out on a different America; dark and scary for a lot of members of the audience. Maybe that was a gasp of horror.
I think it’s Alexander taking Eliza’s hand, and then letting go, and letting her be in the spotlight because she truly is the hero of this story. She sees the people in front of her and the lives she has touched, that this story is finally being told. She put herself back into the narrative, and it’s all worth it. She breaks the fourth wall, and she feels a sense of accomplishment, and as she dies, she sees that thanks to Alexander, who she now understands is Lin, she will never truly die. She is at peace, she is being let go, and she knows she will never be forgotten. Also, check out my name! I feel very blessed to share a name with this great woman.
when i had seen the gasp, i had thought it was Eliza, breaking that 4th wall, and looking out onto the wave of people. She had told his story, and hundreds of people spent their time, perusal his story unfold, and that she had done what she set out to do. She told his story. and I just thought that was heartwarming.
Sitting here in 2020 looking back in time to the 18th Century … That suggests a wormhole or time warp … well, Eliza is coming to the end of her life (50 years as a widow) and the play is coming to an end … To me, Eliza’s poignant gasp suggests that she is able to see today wherein we are struggling still as a nation and the world is in the web of Covid … her gasp suggested deep angst for me. Very amazing ending to a very amazing creation … thank you all!
I interpret it as her still being in character, but looking around at the audience and realizing that her story truly is being told. Basically it’s Eliza wondering if she’ll be lost to history, but becomes emotional when she realizes her story still continues to be spread, never truly being forgotten
I find it fascinating to listen to people like Philipa talk about their experiences. I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum from a creative where I’m grounded to a fault. What got me was when she brought up doing it 8 times a week for a year and she got something different out of it each time. That’s magnificent. And a little frustrating because I can’t quite grasp what she means.
One of my favourite explanations was that when Lin takes her hand, he is playing himself rather than Hamilton, and he is showing her the audience. When she gasps is her essentially breaking the fourth wall and seeing all of the people who have come to see this show, and watch her husband’s story get told.
I really at first thought she had a heart attack and that’s how she died, but then I thought really hard and watched thee movie over and over and I found out that she saw the audience and realized how much Eliza did for the world and told Alexander’s story and made the world a better place to be and live. I don5 know if anyone disagrees with that but I’m pretty sure lots of people can agree with this. I hope everyone enjoys their day!
After doing a broadway show twice a day for months, most actors will tell you their actions on stage are automatic. She might as well be thinking of her grocery list while doing that gasp and still have it executed perfectly. As for the gasp itself, when you ask Lin, he has a very nonspecific almost evasive answer so I think the gasp was added just as a nice theatrical flair to wrap the whole thing up.
I see it as hamilton meeting eliza in heaven and taking her to God….the gasp is her seeing the face of God, bc in the disney article, she looks up at one spot and gasps….had she looked all around and acknowledged the entire audience, I could see it being interpreted as seeing the story being told….also, Lin isn’t the only hamilton, so if he isn’t playing it, it can’t be interpreted as Lin meeting eliza and showing her he told her story….I do love that interpretation though….and I love there are many ways to interpret it!
3:02 I think the meaning of the gaps on that last part of Hamilton is the someone actually tell her/there story because on the who lives, who die who tell your story song she hope/wish that someone could tell/ keep spreading the story of the founding fathers and the people who help them be who they are at that time.
When some of my relatives were passing away, they saw things. Whether it was heaven, or them hallucinating, they thought they were seeing other dead loved ones, different things like that. So, I thought Eliza seeing Hamilton, was her hallucinating before she dies, almost like she’s happy she’s going to be with Hamilton. I then thought the gasp was her dieing or seeing heaven. I don’t know, this is what it was to me lol
when i first saw it, i thought the gasp was her last moment in her life, like a final breath? i was guessing that eliza was already very old or about to die in who lives, who dies, who tells your story. she was reminiscing the things she did in her life and she said he can’t wait to see alexander again. i thought that in that moment when she held alexander’s hand, she saw him for a brief moment before dying then when alexander led her in front of the stage, she woke up and realized she has done enough (like a flashback of the events happened before her) and then that was her final breath and she saw everyone she loved again. i know rhat’s like a cliché answer lol i even thought that was how everyone saw it but everyone has a different interpretation XD
It’s cool cause leaving it up to interpretation gives people the opportunity to fill in the blank with whatever would be most meaningful in that moment to them. The second time I watched it I thought “oh she’s seeing Philip.” because that would be my reaction to being reunited with a child I had lost. And that made me cry all over again from remembering the scenes following their son’s death.
I felt that she’s dead and sees Ham in heaven, he brings her to the forefront and gives her a glimpse of the future where she sees Hamiltons entire legacy at that time, her children telling the story, the biography, and the Broadway show lin made. And she gasps when she finds out that she finally managed to succeed and tell his story, as Eliza (real) wasn’t able to complete Hamilton’s biography before her death.
I think the gasp is not only Eliza seeing the audience and knowing they’re there to hear his story and his legacy and well she was able to tell it but also in the moment Lin is leading her to the front as Lin seeing how he also told her story and just how they’ve all told and performed the story of the Hamilton’s
The first time I watched it, I hadn’t seen anything about the gasp or the question about it. I thought that Alexander moving her to the front of the stage and him being dead at that time that she was dying and that the gasp meant she had seen him again. But, I love the idea that it’s actually Lin as himself moving her front and center, as she deserved, and that she sees how she had done enough to tell his story and she sees it’s her story being told as well. I think that’s a beautiful interpretation.
At first I thought she died but then I heard all these theories and then the one that touched me most was that she was busy telling everyone else’s story that she forgot to tell hers but when she walks to the front she sees that everyone now (in the present) knows her story but I don’t know it is different for everyone.
The thing about feelings is that you can never perfectly explain them and it originates from so many possibilities. I do think it’s a mixture seeing Alexander and the legacy (in terms of the country, hers, Alexanders, and even the show with the audience itself). Amazing. I don’t think that gasp even has a singular word that can encompass everything it meant. What an amazing amazing musical.
When I saw that part of the scene, I was reminded of the “1776” scene where John Adams, in song, sees the future celebrations of a free nation that he and his fellow founding fathers helped to create. Sometimes, not often,, we are allowed to see what our actions in this life have done to impact the future. A gasp of wonder and awe is a worthy response to that gift.
4:23 gosh, when she was talking about the potential in the moment of filming, it made me realize that Pippa only played the role before number 45. We were still on 44. And when the musical was filmed, we were in the middle of a really messy, frightening election, but there was still hope. Nobody in the audience or on the stage in that Disney+ version knew that they’d find themselves in a living hell five short months later. Those are moments we’ll never get back. Ever. We will never have a country that is pre-45th ever again.
I like the interpretation of Lin telling her story. Because I think before Hamilton, many people did not know a lot about her. Sure, a few historians and maybe a few others, but no one really knew about her, they knew about her husband, and I don’t think a lot of people knew about a lot of things she did after Hamilton died.
Here’s my question: Why are so many people overthinking the moment that Eliza gasps? ) . (“OOOOH! Maybe Eliza just remembered that she hadn’t fed the cat!” “OOOH! Eliza realized that the actress portraying her did not win a TONY!” “OOOH! Eliza realized that she would never be able to rap like Lafayette or Jefferson!”) Even Phillipa Soo doesn’t have a theory – maybe because the simplest one is the right one: Eliza gasped because she died. BTW – If Hamilton has mysteriously turned into Lin in the last few minutes, why doesn’t L-MM come out in 21st Century clothing to better signify the “fact”.?
my interpretation that no one asked for, but anyone is welcome to read: The point at which she says “i can’t wait to see you again. It’s only a matter of time.” is already when she’s at her death bed expecting to see alexander in the afterlife, like when an elder is at their death bed in their last moments saying their regrets or greatest achievements/memories in their life. We see alexander pass behind her and she doesn’t see him when she turns around at first, but then when she does, I hypothesize that she’s in-between her living moments in the real world and the afterlife. Kind of like in the movies, how an elder on their death bed talks to someone before they die, and there’s a point they say they can see their parents/husband/wife/child before they officially pass. Once she hesitantly takes Alexander’s hand, she is officially dead and in the afterlife. We then see him lead her to a place, for her to then gasp. Since the song is titled “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” I see Alexander leading her to see everyone who has lived, died and who has told and listened to her story/legacy, which is why she gasps so intensely at first THEN, has an endearing, wonderstruck expression.
Because of the pain on her face, and harkening back to Hamilton’s little monologue before Burr shoots him about his mother and Phillip being on the other side, I thought it was her “going to the other side” and her first glimpse before death of Alexander and Phillip. I like the “real” explanation as well and I think that’s a cool take and makes sense. But in my heart, its her entering the afterlife. This is probably because of my faith, I see once someone is in heaven as an all-consuming joy and the concerns about legacy fade away as we embrace an eternity with God. But I have only seen the Disney Plus recording, and her gasp is very intense and the look on her face almost distorted, which immediately spoke of a beautiful death to me. After looking at some compilations and the way some other Eliza’s have carried out the final gasp, I think the gentler gasp makes more sense to me as a gasp of breaking the fourth wall and seeing their legacy.
I thought that the gasp was Eliza’s hesitating in her conviction at the very end. I would think the fear of not knowing who lives, who dies, who tells her story. One can only hope at that point in their lives. That fear has to be there at the end. Especially for a person who seemed as driven as Eliza at the end
I’m so late to this party but I’m going to comment anyway! I think the gasp has several meanings, depending on the actors. In the original with Lin, the blocking on the stage where Alexander walks towards her and then passes by stays the same throughout, but the ONLY time you see Alexander turn and greet Eliza after that is when it’s Lin. “Hi.” It’s Lin greeting her, they are friends. The way she smiles at him, it’s friendly–she’s not smiling at Alexander, and again when Lin offers her his hand, she’s hesitant (with the other actors, it’s almost always a joyful meeting, so I’m guessing they stay Alexander). Even in the version with Phillipa, she fades out when she asks if they’ll tell her story–she doesn’t believe they will. Her entire life was dedicated to telling his story. When Lin leads her and she suddenly sees the audience, she realizes he told her story, too. That, for me, was the origin of the gasp, but it doesn’t really work unless it’s Lin.
I heard a theory saying that she saw Lin telling her story after she told everyone else’s, but I always thought it was her seeing phillip and alexanders gosts smiling down on her. Also I like the first theory I wrote down cause Lin walked her to the front for her bow as himself instead of as alexander
I thought that at the first when Lin Manuel grabbed her hand and told her to step forward (I thought Lin was playing Lin, not Alexander) and she gasped because it was like he showed her that he did show her story, and she gasps. Like he showing her the musical and it’s him playing the creator of the musical
I think its Eliza passing. She see Hamilton as she goes to the other side and he shows her everybody who’s been waiting for her because she told there story. The gasp is her being overwhelmed from not only seeing her friends and family again but hundreds if not thousands of people who wanna thank her. The main reason I think that is because when Hamilton cast his vote for Jefferson instead of Burr Burr was looking at the audience but we know he’s actually staring at Hamilton who is behind him on stage. Everyone behind her are dead and at the very Line “she tells our story” everybody in the background reposition and stand straight up like they would when someone important would walk into the room.
I think when Alexander (Lin) comes back out, it’s not actually Alexander. Eliza sings right before he comes out about the orphanage she started and how she sees Alexander in all the kids she raised. I think the character who comes out and takes her hand is one of those children, now fully grown. That person takes her to the front of the stage where she then sees the audience and realizes her and Alexander’s story has been told/is being told.
I think… The gasp is 4th wall breaking, her seeing “history eyes” (reference to history has it eyes on you, which coincidentally part of who lives who dies who tells your story is in) but yeah she’s gasping at history eyes that are now perusal her to see how she tells Alexander’s life (the eyes being the audience)
I think that the character that Eliza meets at the end isn’t Alexander, but actually Lin Miranda (or whoever is playing the part), showing her the legacy that she preserved. The gasp is her realizing that she did keep her husband’s legacy alive, and finally their story has been passed to future generations.
I always thought Eliza sees Alexander ( he’s dead of course ) and she see the other side but then Alexander shows her the audience and she sees how their story has been told along with many others and how it effected the world along with her knowing she can comfortably die. I do like the theory where Lin plays himself too but what I said was just my take on it
To me it’s when the story resumes and she finds out about Alexander’s death. Her story will get told, but she doesn’t know that yet, and until then she will wait for him. She got to see him, but for a brief moment, now it isn’t her time to go. This is why he leaves her side and puts her back in the narrative. Then she finds about his death and gasps, because he has died the same way their son did.
Still somewhat disappointed by that answer and that Ending. For me it was that she gave her whole life to Hamilton and perhaps as women do may have blamed herself for his death because After All it was she who was always there to handle his affairs. It like the Tony Braxton song .. breath again. She had no idea her life was on hold (holding her breath) while Whirwind Hamilton was alive. But when he died that Gasp was her finally letting out her emotion her consistently being strong for Hamilton for years. I first thought she died also taking her last breath But she didn’t collapse.. That was her Newbirth. What explanation did Manuel Miranda give?
I’ve alwAys looked at it as it’s goes from Lin playing Hamilton to Lin being Lin. Then he guides her downstage to show her the audience and she sees that they all knew her and Hamilton’s story. One reason I think this above other theories is the way she looks at Lin. She looks at him as if he’s a stranger she just met not her husband who’s she’s been reunited with. Not in a bad way, but like not in a “I KNOW YOU” way. Idk I love it no matter what.