Lin-Manuel Miranda’s father recounts the time he told his son not to perform a song by Hamilton at the White House.
Luis A. Miranda Jr. recently said People magazine that he initially encouraged the Tony winner to perform something “that we know works,” specifically a song from his Broadway musical. In the heightsduring the Evening of Poetry, Music and Speech at the White House in 2009.
“He was invited to the White House. He was asked to sing something In the heightsand he said to me: ‘Dad, you know I worked on Hamilton. Do you think I could play the only song I have?’ “, Luis remembers Lin-Manuel asking him.
“I’m like, ‘No. No, why don’t we follow what we know works, which is In the heights” he continued, noting that his son ultimately went against his advice, but that the gamble clearly paid off. “But he took it to the White House. They loved it and the rest is history,” Luis added.
Lin-Manuel performed “The Hamilton Mixtape” at the White House event early in Barack Obama’s presidency. The track was an early version of the song that became the musical’s opening number. Hamiltontitled “Alexander Hamilton”. The musical began as a mixtape album before being developed for the stage and opening on Broadway in 2015.
Before HamiltonThe multi-hyphenate made his Broadway debut in 2008 with In the heightsplaying Usnavi. The musical won four Tonys, including Best Original Score (music and/or lyrics) written for the theater for Lin-Manuel.
Once Hamilton created, it became a smash hit, winning 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Book and Best Original Score (music and/or lyrics) written for the theater for Lin-Manuel. A film of the original Broadway production was later released in 2020.
“We hope the greatness continues because it’s such an incredible work of art,” Luis also said. Peoplecelebrating the musical’s 10th anniversary. “Now it’s the big screen, and for us it’s even more important because we couldn’t go to Broadway. We didn’t have money to go to Broadway, but we went to the movies all the time. So I know there are a lot of families who can now have the experience Hamilton on the big screen. » The film is currently showing in select theaters in honor of this milestone anniversary.
