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:
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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.
