The 40-year-old Puerto Rican star and Hamilton creator has weighed in on John Bolton’s lift of a lyric from his Tony Award-winning musical for use as the title of his memoir The Room Where It Happened.
Since the former national security adviser announced the title last year, Hamiltonfans have taken notice of the reference to the musical’s song “The Room Where It Happens.”
Earlier this year, the show’s producer, Jeffrey Seller, told a California newspaper, “I don’t even know how to describe it; it’s just strange.”
And now Miranda has just chimed it… by adding a lyric to another Hamilton number, “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.”
He tweeted – with the additions in brackets – today:
Let me tell you what I wish I’d known When I was young and dreamed of glory You have no control Who lives, who dies, who [borrows your song title to write a cash-in book when they could have testified before Congress] tells your story…
Bolton’s book is set for release on June 23, and while his portrait of President Donald Trump is far from flattering, Miranda calls him out for not stepping up and testifying before Congress during the impeachment hearings.
Seizing the moment, Miranda provides a link in his tweet to Fair Fight, an advocate for fair elections in Georgia. Miranda’s link opens to a page that says, “Sign up to volunteer and help us build a more inclusive Georgia, where every vote is counted and every voice is heard.”
Let me tell you what I wish I’d known When I was young and dreamed of glory You have no control Who lives, who dies, who [borrows your song title to write a cash-in book when they could have testified before Congress] tells your story…https://t.co/mJlJaxGDnf
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadwayhit is heading to the big screen.
Disney will release a feature film of the original Tony Award-winning stage musical Hamilton, created by the 40-year-old Puerto Rican composer/lyricist, actor and creator, in the U.S. and Canada on October 15, 2021.
The studio is teaming with Miranda, Jeffrey Sellerand Thomas Kail on the project, which is billed as a “leap forward in the art of ‘live capture.’” It explains the live capture method as “combining the best elements of live theater and film,” resulting in “a cinematic stage performance that is a wholly new way to experience Hamilton.”
Producers for this version of Hamilton include Miranda, Seller and Kail, who also directs.
The film was shot in June 2016 at the Richard Rodgers Theatreand reports began circulatingin 2018 that bidders were circling the film version of the stage production. Studios had to pledge not to release it until at least 2020.
The original Broadway cast of the record-smashing show will appear in the new film. Cast members include Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggsas Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberryas Angelica Schuyler; and Leslie Odom, Jr.as Aaron Burr. Also due to star are Christopher Jacksonas George Washington; Jonathan Groffas King George; Phillipa Sooas Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowanas Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramosas John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.
“Lin-Manuel Miranda created an unforgettable theater experience and a true cultural phenomenon, and it was for good reason that Hamiltonwas hailed as an astonishing work of art. All who saw it with the original cast will never forget that singular experience,” Disney CEO Bob Igersaid. “And we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to share this same Broadway experience with millions of people around the world.”
Miranda, who starred in an update of Mary Poppinsin 2018, affirmed his connection with Disney. “I fell in love with musical storytelling growing up with the legendary Howard Ashman–Alan MenkenDisney collaborations – The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin,” he said. “I’m so proud of what Tommy Kail has been able to capture in this filmed version of Hamilton – a live theatrical experience that feels just as immediate in your local movie theater. We’re excited to partner with Disney to bring the original Broadway company of Hamilton to the largest audience possible.”
Kail added, “We are thrilled for fans of the show, and new audiences across the world, to experience what it was like on stage – and in the audience – when we shot this. … We wanted to give everyone the same seat, which is what this film can provide.”
According to sources, Disney beat out other suitors and paid $75 million for worldwide rights to the show that won 11 Tony Awards in 2016, as well as the Pulitzer Prizefor Drama. Disney won the deal with a commitment for a wide global theatrical release for the 2 hour, 40 minute movie, which was shot two weeks before the original cast left.
The 39-year-old Puerto Rican composer, lyricist, singer, actor, playwright and producer’s latest venture, The Drama Book Shop, is set to open its doors in March.
Considered Broadway’s favorite bookstore — The Drama Book Shop — was evicted from its longtime Theater District home in January. So Miranda and three Hamiltoncolleagues — director Thomas Kail, lead producer Jeffrey Seller and theater owner/impresario James L. Nederlander — collectively bought the store and, with considerable help and guidance from Julie Menin, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner, found a new location, where they’ll keep the operation running.
The Drama Book Shop will reopen its doors in March at its new location — 266 West 39th Street — just a block south of the previous one.
Stuffed with scripts, librettos, monologues and any other books about or needed by the theater community, the independent bookstore had been a district mainstay for more than 100 years (though not in the same location).
“The Drama Book Shop is the heart and soul of the New York theater community,” Miranda said in a statement. “It’s been an oasis in midtown for a century of storytellers and theater fans alike — a safe space to gather, to learn and to find great books and music.”
The Hamilton creator continued: “I found my collaborators there. I wrote drafts of In the Heights there. Freestyle Love Supremewas born there. I made sure the first book-signing of Hamilton: The Revolution was held there. The Drama Book Shop is home.”
Kail explained why the place meant so much to him. “I was in the Drama Book Shop most days of the week from December 2001 until May 2005. My career started there. My life in New York City started there. I am proud to be part of this group that will reintroduce this vital source of inspiration for our city and present countless others the same opportunity that it provided me and so many others.”
The design for the new store was overseen by creative director David Korins, aiming for atmosphere “inspired by European cafés of the last century and their role in the exchange and celebration of ideas.”
A specific opening date will be announced soon.
Said Miranda: “To the next generation of dramatists, actors, directors, composers, choreographers, designers, and theater enthusiasts: the stage is set…Come in. Discover. Enjoy.”
The 37-year-old Puerto Rican composer, lyricist, playwright, and actor will return to play Alexander Hamiltonin his smash musical Hamiltonwhen it plays in San Juan, Puerto Rico in January.
Miranda and producer Jeffrey Seller broke the news on the stage of the Teatro UPR theater in San Juan. The University of Puerto Rico venue was damaged during Hurricane Maria in September but will be restored and repaired in time for the musical’s open.
It will mark the first time Miranda, the creator-star of the Tony Award– and Pulitzer Prize-winning show, will perform the title role since he stepped down in July 2016. The three weeks of performances will run January 8-27.
“Bringing [Hamilton] to Puerto Rico is a dream that I’ve had since we first opened at The Public Theater in 2015,” Miranda in a statement, as reported by Playbill. “When I last visited the island, a few weeks before Hurricane Maria, I had made a commitment to not only bring the show to Puerto Rico, but also return again to the title role. In the aftermath of Maria we decided to expedite the announcement of the project to send a bold message that Puerto Rico will recover and be back in business, stronger than ever.”
Miranda is in Puerto Rico to aid recovery efforts. On Monday, he joined forces with the Hispanic Federation to announce the launch of a $2.5 million recovery fund and the first seven recipients to help seed projects encompassing micro-enterprise, housing, arts and culture, and conservation efforts, among others.
Hamilton, which won 11 Tony Awards, is on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers and is amidst a Los Angeles run that ends December 30.
The 52-year-old Puerto Rican actress has been cast in a lead role in NBC’s drama pilot Drama High, from Friday Night Lightsexecutive producer/showrunner Jason Katimsand Jeffrey Seller, producer of the smash Broadway hit Hamilton.
Written by Katims, Drama High was inspired by the story of ground-breaking high school drama teacher Lou Volpe as chronicled in the book Drama High, written by one of Volpe’s students, Michael Sokolove.
The hourlong project revolves around an extraordinary working-class high school drama department and the incredible students who come alive under a passionate teacher and family man whose dedication to the program galvanizes the entire town.
Perez plays Tracey, the high energy with a no-holds-barred mouth current Drama School teacher and a former high school theater person who is finding someone else with passion and vision can still inspire her.
The 16-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress/singer and Moana standout has landed a lead role in NBC’s drama pilot Drama High, from Friday Night Lights executive producer/showrunner Jason Katims and Jeffrey Seller, producer of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway musical Hamilton.
Written by Katims, Drama High was inspired by the story of ground-breaking high school drama teacher LouVolpe as chronicled in the book Drama High, written by one of Volpe’s students, Michael Sokolove.
The hourlong project revolves around an extraordinary working-class high school drama department and the incredible students who come alive under a passionate teacher and family man whose dedication to the program galvanizes the entire town.
In her television debut, Cravalho will play one of the students, Lilette, in the project.
The Latino producer and former NBC executive and his producing partner Jeffrey Seller have signed a production deal with Universal Television.
“Jeffrey’s spectacular track record on Broadway and his knack for finding and nurturing brilliant new talent, such as the creative forces behind Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights and Hamilton, is nothing short of remarkable,” NBC Entertainment and Universal Television chairman Bob Greenblatt said. “There is more and more cross-pollination these days from theater to television, especially at NBC, and we’re excited to see where he and Flody’s instincts and talent relationships will go in the world of television.”
Under Greenblatt, who has strong theater ties and has been involved in a number of Broadway productions, including Hamilton in which he is an investor, theater has had significant presence on NBC. That includes the series Smashas well as live stagings of The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz Live and the upcoming Hairsprayand A Few Good Men.
This marks Suarez’s return to NBC where he was a vice president of development, working on such shows as ERand Just Shoot Me. He is currently a consultant on Full Frontal with Samantha Beeand recently consulted for Sony on NBC’s drama The Blacklist.
He has produced several television series, including 8 Simple Rules, The Tickand The Book of Daniel.
