Playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda released a new song with singer Ben Platt where part of the proceeds go to the #MarchForOurLives campaign.
His most recent song with Platt is called “Found/Tonight,” a mash-up of the song “The Story of Tonight” from “Hamilton” and “You Will Be Found” from Platt’s musical “Dear Evan Hansen.” When Miranda left the original Broadway cast of “Hamilton,” he started releasing a remixed version of a song from “Hamilton” with other icons every month.
Miranda has written many other songs where proceeds go toward charitable sources such as raising money for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico, and even one as tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.
Freshman Grace Lee said, “I think it is good that Lin-Manuel uses his platform for good because he is very fortunate to have such a platform. Most people do not have nearly as many followers but famous people do, so their voice gets heard by so many people. His music and social media accounts can get a wider audience range because of his fame. Their social media platforms are very influential and there is definitely nothing wrong with doing more good in the world.”
In light of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, Miranda and Jennifer Lopez teamed up to sing “Love Make the World Go Round.” He recited the lyrics as a poem during his Tony Award acceptance speech, most famously saying, “Love is love is love is love and it cannot not be killed or swept aside.”
Along with Lopez, Miranda and 21 other Latinos sang “Almost Like Praying,” where 100 percent of the proceeds went to hurricane relief for Miranda’s home of Puerto Rico.
Freshman Garcelle Stephens said, “Lin-Manuel Miranda is so admirable. He really wishes to do good in this world and wants everyone to be recognized. The best part of his song for Puerto Rico is that it mentions every city in Puerto Rico so that not only the major cities get recognition after Hurricane Maria.”
Miranda is an advocate for diversity; he created his cast of “Hamilton: the American Musical,” the role for which he is most famous, with many different ethnic backgrounds and experience levels.
Miranda said, “The reason ‘Hamilton’ works is because there is no distance between that story that happened 200-some-odd years ago and now, because it looks like America now. It helps create a connection that wouldn’t have been there if it was 20 white guys on stage. This is a story about America then, told by America now.”
Because of his understanding of ethnic diversity, Miranda took the role as co-lyricist of the Disney movie “Moana.” He joined Samoan-born Opetaia Tavita Foa’i to shine a light on Polynesian culture. The song “How Far I’ll Go” was nominated for the “Best Original Song” Academy Award in 2018.
Miranda has also received a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for “Hamilton,” along with an Emmy for the music in “Bigger!” from the 67th Tony Awards and a Grammy for “Hamilton” and “In The Heights,” another of his musicals.
Had he won an Oscar for “How Far I’ll Go” in 2017, Miranda would be a PEGOT winner, meaning he had won a Pulitzer, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. One of the only other people to have ever won this was Richard Rogers, the man whom the theatre that “Hamilton” is performed in is named after.
Miranda is taking a break from theatre and the performing arts as his wife gave birth to their second son, Francisco Miranda, on February 2, 2018, who is four years younger than his older brother, Sebastian.
His break started after he announced he would be taking part in the new movie “Mary Poppins Returns,” a sequel to the original 1964 film. However, he is still working with Disney, and rumors have circulated that a live-action “Little Mermaid” movie will be coming out with Miranda composing the music.
What do you think is the most inspirational part about Lin-Manuel?