Entertainment

How Derek Jeter inspired a special part of ‘Hamilton’

Derek Jeter may not be a founding father, but this member of the New York Yankees “core four” inspired a move in the “Hamilton” musical.

In a recent episode of “The Hamilcast” podcast, choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler revealed how an ode to the Bronx Bombers and the Yankees legend, 46, made its way into the performance during the second-act song, “It’s Quiet Uptown.”

“I love the Yankees, and I love to watch baseball with my son,” Blankenbuehler told host Gillian Pensavalle. “My son would always imitate when Derek Jeter would take the plate: He would put his arm out in front of him … like he was pointing to the outfield. He would put this long arm out in front of him, like over the pitcher’s head.”

The Jeter flex comes into play as Alexander Hamilton, who is played by the show’s creator and Broadway darling Lin-Manuel Miranda, is standing center stage. As the men stand in a circle around him, they stretch their arms like the famous No. 2, who retired in 2014, and sing, “They say he walks the length of the city.”

“There’s something about the power that Derek Jeter had — of being an icon, of being a superhero, of being a gentleman — that, when the men look at Hamilton, [they’re] in a way remembering when he had power,” said Blankenbuehler. “So they’re doing that move, like putting their arms across the horizon … willing him to have the power he used to have. I like that moment.”

Fans of the smash Broadway hit and the Yankees can now watch “Hamilton: An American Musical” on Disney+.