I was rudely awakened at 7:00 A.M this Monday morning to people putting a satellite on my roof. It was Presidents' Day, so we didn't have school, but it was also the day of the Grammys. Everyone was here way too early, I was awake way too early. I dragged myself downstairs and outside, I was wearing PJ pants and a Oregon State Beavers t-shirt, from when I lived in Oregon. The Grammy crew had flown all this equipment out from L.A to N.Y.C. I looked up and watched them set up a crazy amount of equipment on my roof, until I got extremely cold, so I ran back inside.

I looked around inside, why on earth was the cast here already? The performance wasn't for hours. Before I even had time to consider the answer to my own question, Jazzy ran over to me.

"Are you excited?!" She was way too awake.

"Yeah." I yawned and rubbed my eyes, "why is everyone here so early?"

"Rehearsal, figuring out the equipment. Etcetera etcetera." 

"How on earth are you so awake?" I asked looking at her dumbfounded.

"Oh, there's coffee and donuts backstage if you want any, I'm fueled by that and adrenaline."

"Thanks!" With that I walked backstage, I needed to be somewhat awake for today. 

From what I gathered, the whole lead cast was here, but ensemble wasn't yet. I grabbed coffee and a donut and sat in the auditorium to eat. Apparently they had to mic check because of the new equipment. They all sang or rapped one of their favorite songs. By the way, if you ever want to know something about anyone, see what they choose to sing in a mic check. 

They ordered pizza to the Rodgers at lunchtime. I was exorbitantly grateful. I did not have to make myself a meal, and I really do love pizza. I was sitting with Leslie as we ate pizza.

"Are you excited for tonight?" I asked trying to start a successful conversation.

"Yeah, it's such an honor to be nominated." He responded.

"I can't say it came as much of a surprise when you were nominated."

"Well we try not to take anything for granted." I turned at looked at him, very confused. Hamilton has broken every record, every rule of Broadway.

"Ok then." I was a little surprised, this was the biggest thing to be on Broadway in years. They really were that humble about it.

2 hours prior to the Grammys was the official rehearsal time. I sat in the auditorium, not passing up an opportunity to see the opening number. As always they killed it. After rehearsal they stayed onstage warming up and dancing. Scratch that, they were talking and Anthony was dancing across the stage. Because, well, that's Anthony for you. Carliegh was still in her robe, which I respect, and Lin was videoing the cast and tweeting. Got to love them.

An hour later, friends and family were killing the 1,300 seats in the Richard Rodgers, waiting to see their loved ones take home a very well deserved Grammy. I, for one, couldn't wait either. They all were so humble and supportive and loving, if anyone deserved it, they did.

For so many cast members, Hamilton had given them something special, they couldn't make it on Broadway, or anywhere if this didn't exist. It had given them a great connection to America and to our history, they were re-enacting history nightly, and they were simultaneously making history. Their remarkable connection to our history would become a part of our history. I think Lin put it best when he said, "When the people tell our story, they'll tell the story of tonight."

Chapter 1/3 for the Grammys is done. Purposely short.

Thanks for reading 

-Abi