American colleges turn to musicals to teach students

CHICAGO - More than 2,000 students got into the hottest show in Chicago, Hamilton: An American Musical, for free as part of their acceptance to Northwestern University.

It's one of the ways colleges and high schools are using the hugely popular musical to teach students about history, art, drama, culture, and even politics. There's even a high school program coordinated through the show that has allowed nearly 49,000 students in four cities to see the show for free or at a reduced price.

"It's one thing to learn about these kinds of events in a classroom but to go and see this in a production it's different, and it's just amazing," says Northwestern freshman Alex Richards after seeing the smash hit musical.