The Caribbean Community Theatre is showing the PBS documentary film "Rediscovering Alexander Hamilton," exploring the life and legacy of the first U.S. Treasury Secretary, signer of the U.S. Constitution, and probably St. Croix’s most famous resident ever, next Saturday, Jan. 19.
Bob White, president of the St. Croix Alexander Hamilton Society, who was the executive director of the project, will introduce the film that follows Hamilton’s life from the Caribbean to Yorktown, Va., and Wall Street.
“Rediscovering Alexander Hamilton” is directed by Michael Pack and narrated by Richard Brookhiser. It was commissioned by PBS and was widely shown in October 2012 on PBS stations, but due to technical difficulties, it was not aired in the territory.
Filmed partially on St. Croix and featuring interviews with several St. Croix residents, including owner of the St. Croix Avis, Rena Brodhurst, the film does more than just give a chronology of Hamilton’s life; it examines his legacy which is still most evident today.
According to CCT, research for the film gives insight into how Hamilton’s beliefs and policies helped shape our world, including the way he handled an economic downturn similar to the one we are currently experiencing. Hamilton was the first treasury secretary to get our country into debt, borrowing $20,000 from the Bank of New York to finance the Revolutionary War. Interviews with several recognized historians, Gore Vidal, and well-known journalists as varied as Larry Flynt and Rupert Murdock provide a variety of points of view on his legacy.
This is CCT’s first fundraiser of the year and a $15 donation is suggested. There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar on the theater patio from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by the film.
The theater is located at no. 18 Estate Orange Grove on the outskirts of Christiansted.
For additional information about the event, call event coordinator Linda Garvin at 340-690-3002 or the theater at 340-778-1983.
