On Broadway in New York City, eight times a week hundreds of people enter the Richard Rodgers Theatre to see “Hamilton,” a new musical that tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s lesser known Founding Fathers. But as the show begins, the cast does not begin to sing, as one might expect. They begin to tell the story by…rapping? Believe it or not, the biggest show currently on Broadway is a hip-hop masterpiece.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the genius who wrote “Hamilton,” is a seasoned songwriter, and between co-founding a hip-hop comedy troupe called Freestyle Love Supreme and working on other musicals such as “Bring It On,” as well as writing his own story, “In the Heights,” he continues to reinvent musical theatre with this hip-hop opera.

As the musical tells the story of Alexander Hamilton and his involvement throughout the early years of the United States, the fresh take on a centuries-old tale unravels as something extraordinary, starting with how expansive the story is. The American Revolution ends shortly before intermission, leaving the second act to show Hamilton’s impressive work in the young political world of the new nation, but leaving after intermission due to how boring that sounds is not recommended. Miranda’s lyrics humanize the many people that are viewed today as historic idols, bringing out the emotional rollercoaster that must have been experienced by those in the period. These characters are made to not only feel real but also to create a conversational tone with the audience, taking advantage of the fact that these characters are telling their present to their future, our present. With the modern style of music, the story that might not initially draw interest becomes poignant, relatable and entrancing.

And the music is not the only fresh thing about this story. Although it is a story of America’s past, it is being told by America’s present, so the roles were casted to represent what America looks like today. With Miranda, who is Puerto Rican, playing Hamilton, black men playing Aaron Burr, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and women of color playing the three female leads, this story is for today’s American people, which includes a much broader audience that can now be reached through this diversification.

When the nominations for next year’s Tony awards are announced, there will be no surprises when “Hamilton” earns many nominations. With Miranda’s stylistic writing, he will surely be nominated for the show’s book and lyrics, helping the show to earn a nomination for Best Musical. Miranda is also likely to earn a nomination for his performance in the lead role of Alexander Hamilton, a role filled with depth and challenging vocals. Other actors sure to be nominated include Daveed Diggs, whose double portrayal of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson is enthralling with Lafayette’s drive in Act I, and Jefferson’s wild persona in Act II, as well as Renée Elise Goldsberry, who perfectly captures the dissonance of emotions in Angelica Schuyler, the sister of Hamilton’s wife, who was also in love with the man.

If the idea of a hip-hop opera telling the story of a Founding Father does not quite sell you, listen to the soundtrack. Songs like “My Shot,” “Satisfied” and “The Room Where it Happens” are sure to at least draw you in with their unforgettable melodies and emotionally driven verses. Keeping up with the current focus of theatre followers around the world is just a simple Spotify search away.