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Performing Arts

Living, breathing history

Chautauqua performance Wednesday bring Alexander Hamilton to Durango

Many Americans have only a faint idea of who Alexander Hamilton was: A historical figure who had a duel with a vice president named Aaron Burr and ended up on the $10 bill.

What people may not realize is that Hamilton was the nation’s first Treasury secretary, the main architect of America’s economic system and the co-author of the Federalist Papers.

He was also a flawed individual who was blackmailed after having an affair and who was hated by his enemies. His life started in deep poverty and was punctuated by tragedies, including the final one – his death at the hands of Burr at the age of 47.

On Wednesday, Hamilton will go from dusty marble bust to living, breathing man on the stage of the Durango Arts Center Theater. Longtime political science professor and Hamilton scholar Hal Bidlack will portray the Founding Father during a special Chautauqua performance. The free event will kick off the Durango Autumn Arts Festival.

Bidlack said audience members might be surprised by what they learn about Hamilton.

“He was this deeply flawed, brilliant, passionate guy who you either loved or hated,” Bidlack said. “I’ve discovered that Hamilton is just an incredibly fascinating person.”

Chautauqua – a 140-year-old tradition of lectures, music and performances meant to educate and entertain – is coming to town care of Colorado Humanities and is part of the organization’s 40th anniversary celebration. A pair of Durango residents who sit on the organization’s board – Bridget Irish and Richard G. Ballantine – helped get it here. (Ballantine is board chairman of Ballantine Communications Inc.)

Irish said when she learned about Chautauqua a couple of years ago, she immediately thought it would be great for Durango.

“We have the kind of community that’s really interested in humanities, we have the kind of community that’s interested in lively stuff,” Irish said. “I figured this is something that Durango doesn’t have that I think Durango would like ... My desire is to have history taught in a vivid, human, relevant way.”

For Wednesday’s event, Bidlack will start by going on stage and giving an unscripted presentation as Hamilton, tights and all. He will then take questions from the audience – people can ask him about everything from his critique of the Bill of Rights to what he thinks about the Internet. He will wrap up the performance by taking off his wig and answering questions as himself.

Bidlack has performed as Hamilton for nearly 20 years, including on television and radio. The retired military officer and longtime political science professor came into the unique position, he said, thanks to his big mouth.

As a professor, he brought Thomas Jefferson scholar and performer Clay Jenkinson to present to a class. That started up a friendship that led to Bidlack telling Jenkinson he needed to find a good Hamilton to argue with.

“He kind of put me up to it,” Bidlack said.

What began with debating Jenkinson on NPR evolved into a thorough examination of Hamilton’s life and the unexpected stage career as a Chautauqua performer (Performers are required to be both scholars of their subjects and able actors).

Bidlack, who has read every piece of Hamilton history he could get his hands on, including a 27-volume set of Hamilton’s writing, said when you understand that the Founders were real people, history gets much more interesting.

“Most people are touched by the humanity of these people,” he said. “That’s why I wear a wig and tights and travel around the country.”

Maggie Coval, executive director of Colorado Humanities, said Chautauqua events bring a new dimension to the stories we learn (often grudgingly) in history classes.

“It’s a step back in time,” she said. “It’s just really magical.”

kklingsporn@durangoherald.com

If you go

Chautauqua in Durango, featuring a performance by Hal Bidlack as Alexander Hamilton, will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave. The event is free.



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