10 Things You Didn't Know About Lin-Manuel Miranda | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

10 Things You Didn't Know About Lin-Manuel Miranda

Learn more about the mastermind behind Broadway's smash hit, "Hamilton."

992
10 Things You Didn't Know About Lin-Manuel Miranda
Broadway

As the Tony Award and Pulitzer prize winning creator of Broadway hits "Hamilton" and "In The Heights," Lin-Manuel Miranda has ferociously dominated the theatre scene through both his writing and his work as an actor. His recent creation, based on Ron Chernow's best-selling biography "Alexander Hamilton," is breaking boundaries and redefining history. Securing a ticket is near impossible (and rightfully so)... unless you "know a guy," have an insane amount of pocket cash, win the online lottery, or is willing to wait months for a decently priced seat.

This man has done it all, not only writing and starring in his own shows but inspiring others to continue creating art. Here are 10 things to know about him:

1. The 36-year-old worked as an English teacher at his former high school and wrote as a columnist and restaurant reviewer for the Manhattan Times.

2. Miranda enrolled at Wesleyan University, intending to study film and theater, but film gradually fell by the wayside.

Class of 02.

3. He wrote the earliest draft of "In The Heights" in 1999, his SOPHOMORE YEAR in college.

The show was in the works for almost 10 years until it finally opened on Broadway in March 2008. It won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Album and was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, winning four.

4. According to the New York Times, Miranda's hip-hop retelling of the life of Alexander Hamilton is raking in $500,000 in profit each week.

Advance ticket sales for "Hamilton" totaled $82 million in early February, which translated to about 400 sold-out shows.

5. Miranda sites Eminem's 8 Mile, Nas, Biggie Smalls, Big Pun, Jay-Z's The Blueprint as his major influences for "Hamilton."

It's no secret that Miranda's music is heavily based in early 90s to 2000's rap. He pays tribute to the worlds most influential rappers through his lyrics.

6. His son Sebastian’s favorite music, at the moment, is Kendrick Lamar’s "To Pimp A Butterfly."

Like father like son! Sebastian Miranda was born just two weeks before "Hamilton" rehearsals for it's Off-Broadway run.

7. Miranda surprised his wife, Vanessa Nadal, on their wedding day by performing the extremely fitting Fiddler on the Roof favorite, "To Life."

Lin-Manuel, as long with Vanessa's close family and friends, rehearsed secretly for a month to put on the production number for his wife. The video on YouTube has over four million views.

8. Miranda is particularly close with John Kander, the 88-year-old composer who collaborated with Fred Ebb on works including “Cabaret” and “Chicago.”

After introducing himself at a preview performance of Miranda's first Broadway show, "In The Heights," Kander regularly lunches with his new pal. Kander refers to Miranda as "boy genius." Miranda lovingly refers to Kander as "the source."

9. Miranda is a co-founder and member of the popular hip-hop improv group, Freestyle Love Supreme.

The group is referred to as the “masters in the art of freestyle rhyme,” according to the New York Times. Check out the Freestyle Love Supreme performing for College Humor above.

10. Miranda co-wrote the popular 67th Annual Tony Award opening, "Bigger," starring Neil Patrick Harris and over 100 Broadway performers.

The song was considered one of the greatest moments of TV in 2013 and later won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics. No big deal.

FUN FACT: Miranda and his wife, Vanessa, rescued a puppy from the Dominican Republic.

In an interview with The New York Times, Miranda speaks lovingly of his super-mut puppy. "We met her on a beach in the Dominican Republic, half-starved, when she nibbled on my wife’s ankle. We call her Tobillo, Spanish for ankle."

Known for being "non-stop," Miranda is working on numerous upcoming projects. Follow this man on twitter, seriously.

In the meantime, if anyone knows anyone who has an extra Hamilton ticket laying around that wouldn't cost me my voice and possibly my first born child, holler at me.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Library Struggles Every College Student Will Understand

Are you really a college student if you don't stay up all night studying in your pajamas?

378
sleeping in the library
Daily Fun Lists

One of the most dreaded places on campus is the library. Nothing awesome ever happens here. Usually, the only reason you're here is because you've procrastinated so long that the library is the only place you'll actually get stuff done. It gives you this feeling of sadness and impending doom. You have no idea how this is going to go or how long you'll be here, but you do know it is about to be the most excruciating experiences yet. But it has to get done, so you drag yourself to the lovely library.

Keep Reading...Show less
Illistrated image of colorful balloons and fireworks
StableDiffusion

With each new year comes new goals.

Deciding on a goal can be hard, unsure of what to change for this new year. A new goal for myself is to be happier and take care of myself more. I am a very driven person; so driven that I commit to a million and ten things.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Pros And Cons Of Having A Birthday Near The Holidays

The truth of what it is like having a birthday around the holiday season.

3826
Christmas decoration
Flickr

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! But for some people, including myself and my Dad, it can have its ups and downs when it comes to having a birthday near and around the holiday season. I personally share a birthday with my Dad two days before Christmas. Yes, Christmas Eve Eve is our birthday. Here are a few pros and cons for having a birthday near the holidays.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas Tree Lights
Pixabay

It is that time of year again. Christmastime. It is one of my favorite seasons for a myriad of reasons. Here are just a few reasons why I love Christmas. This list is in no order of importance.

1. The Christmas decorations

I am that person who will decorate directly after Thanksgiving is over. This year, my roommates and I put the tree up in our apartment before we even left for Thanksgiving break. It is a great stress reliever for me to just sit in my living room and work on the huge amount of work I have before the semester is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl with santa hat
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

'Tis the season to be jolly folks, and if you're anything like me, then at the stroke of midnight on Halloween your home went from wicked to winter

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments