Disney100: So Dear to My Heart

The common clay of the new West.

You ever heard of this obscure musical called Hamilton? It’s not about famous star and tanning enthusiast George Hamilton, nor about character actor Hamilton Burger. I realize those were your first guesses, so I’m sorry to disabuse you of this notion. No, it’s about Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, and it’s all done with hip-hop! A novel idea!

OK, but seriously, Hamilton. Remember when it was the biggest phenomenon? (Or felt like it?) It sure was a fun 12 months or so at the end of the Obama administration. My glibness aside, I was a huge fan of the original cast recording, as many people were, and especially loved the second-actor showstopper “The Room Where It Happens”. For the few of you who may not already know, the premise is that Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom, Jr.) has realized that what he most wants in life is to be as close to powerful men and the decisions they make as possible, desiring to be in…well, read the title of the song.

Hamilton has, naturally, become somewhat consumed by Disney since its release. Lin-Manuel Miranda has worked on a number of Disney projects as either performer or songwriter, co-stars like Philippa Soo and Christopher Jackson appeared in the Disney film Moana, and the show itself was filmed and presented on Disney+ in 2020. And of course, (puts on his most academically obnoxious voice) there are many different rooms where it happens at Disney. Places where the important decisions are made.

I know which of those rooms I want to be in: the one where they decide what goes onto Disney+ and what doesn’t. I doubt that my good friend Bob Iger is a heavy presence in that room, but it exists in some form and I have to imagine that this month’s Disney100 title, So Dear to My Heart, has come up in discussions. Because So Dear to My Heart isn’t on Disney+, but it’s readily available in a lot of different other places.

Kind of puzzled as to why this isn’t on Disney+, though.