Hamilton: Angelica's "Congratulations" Song Explained (& Why It Was Cut) - Screen Rant

The original Hamilton script included a song about Alexander's cheating scandal that ultimately didn't make the final cut. The tune in question links to the chemistry between Angelica Schuyler (Renée Elise Goldsberry) and Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda), yet the lyrical focus in fundamentally about their differing perspectives. Despite the song's Broadway potential, Miranda left it out for the sake of audience clarity.

Hamilton's first act establishes the main wants and needs for the primary characters. The opening song, appropriately titled "Alexander Hamilton," explains the subject's backstory while simultaneously providing subtext about the origins of hip-hop. In "Helpless," Eliza Schuyler (Phillipa Soo) and Alexander grow closer and ultimately marry. In a creative and dramatic twist, the follow-up number "Satisfied" spotlights the perspective of Eliza's sister Angelica, who recalls her past romantic feelings for the future founding father. Midway through Hamilton Act II, Miranda's titular character attempts to cover up a sex scandal by exposing his dirty deeds to the public. In real life, Hamilton documented his questionable behavior in "Observations on Certain Documents." In the play, Hamilton's admission of guilt is detailed in "The Reynolds Pamphlet" — a song that includes lyrics from the aforementioned composition that didn't make the final cut.

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As a creative compromise, Miranda integrated "Congratulations" with "The Reynolds Pamphlet." In the Disney+ version, the lyrical remnants of the cut song are performed by Goldsberry just seconds before the two-hour mark. At first, Angelica communicates a clear message to Alexander while standing just inches away from him, and she progressively moves closer as the "Celebration" section transitions back to "The Reynolds Pamphlet." Below is the "Celebration" verse that was kept for the Broadway production:

"I'm not here for you / I know my sister like I know my own mind / You will never find anyone as trusting or as kind / I love my sister more than anything in this life / I will choose her happiness over mine every time."

Goldsberry performed "Celebration" at a Ham4Ham fan event during her final week run as Angelica Schuyler in 2016. In a clip that made the rounds online, the performer explains that Miranda personally requested that she sing "Celebration" for the Hamilton fans. The crowd goes wild when Goldsberry announces the song, which suggests that they are more than familiar with the Hamilton production process beyond the live Broadway shows. Lyrically, the cut song reinforces Angelica as a strong female character, but also delivers a formidable ego blow to the main protagonist. By altering the song for Broadway, Miranda effectively built suspense for Eliza's reactionary moment in "Burn," which is so incredibly impactful because it's focused on raw emotions.

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