An intimate and captivating exploration of Lin-Manuel Mirandas artistic journey, revealing how the creator of the Broadway musicals Hamilton and In the Heights found his unique voice through bold collaborations and a seamless blend of cultures, redefining the world of musical theater.
How did Lin-Manuel Miranda, the sweet, sensitive son of Puerto Rican parents from an immigrant neighborhood in Manhattan, rise to become the preeminent musical storyteller of the 21st century? Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist offers a compelling narrative that traces Mirandas path from a friendly but often isolated child to the winner of multiple Tonys and Grammys for his Broadway hits Hamilton and In the Heights, a global chart-topping sensation for his songs in Disneys Moana and Encanto, and the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize and a MacArthur Genius Grant.
Mirandas journey is a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and cultural synthesis. Despite not being a musical prodigy, Mirandas insatiable drive to create art and learn from those around him propelled him to synthesize his Latino heritage with the pop, hip-hop, and Broadway musical styles of New York City. The unique blend allowed him to craft a new way of telling American stories.
Drawing on over 150 interviews with Mirandas family, friends, and mentors, including insights from Miranda himself, Daniel Pollack-Pelzner delves into the formative experiences that shaped Mirandas artistic vision. From his early musicals in high school and college to the creation of his professional masterpieces, this book reveals the sources of Mirandas creativitynot only as innate genius, but also as a result of exceptional openness and collaboration. With full access to Mirandas inner circle, this behind-the-scenes origin story is sure to captivate his legions of fans and beyond.
