Miranda’s mission to widen the focus from Broadway to the theatres and creative spaces in the heart of northern Manhattan’s immigrant communities has been especially rewarding. Miranda helps distribute supplies to victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, 2017 © Gladys Vega/Getty Images Miranda dances with Agua, Sol y Sereno during Fiesta de Pueblo © Gladys Vega/Getty Images It followed a report by the Asian American Performers Action Coalition on the 2018/19 season that revealed, among other statistics, that 80.5 per cent of all writers and 81.3 per cent of directors were white. I’m trying to do that for other artists now.”Īn echo can be felt in “A New Deal for Broadway”, the pledge taken in August 2021 by more than 50 producers, choreographers, executives and union leaders committing to inclusive casting, renaming theatres after black artists, and more BIPOC representation in creative teams. It’s up to our generation now. He always made space for me whenever I asked – anything from ‘What do I do while I’m living in London for eight months?’ to ‘How do I close the loop on this song?’. “And that’s doubled since Stephen Sondheim’s passing because he was the real encourager-in-chief. “I’m always trying to make myself available to people,” says Miranda.

Success has long been paired with a commitment to support the community – not only those of Northern Manhattan and Puerto Rico (particularly in the wake of Hurricane Maria’s 2017 devastation of the island) but also the arts community more broadly. Next up are lyrics for John Kander and Fred Ebb’s New York, New York and contributions to the soundtrack for Rob Marshall’s reimagining of The Little Mermaid. Songs for Moana and Encanto transcended the Disney universe (and overwhelmed a global audience of children via social media), while roles in front of the camera, including in Mary Poppins Returns, have garnered him Golden Globe nominations. Critical acclaim came in 2008 with the Broadway premiere of In the Heights – a joyful homage to his Latino community – and then Hamilton, a radical tone shift on the often-staid Great White Way. Raised by parents who were as passionate about politics as theatre, Miranda was inspired early by plays such as Jonathan Larson’s rock musical Rent as well as by ’90s hip-hop and rap – styles he ultimately fused with more traditional songwriting. Miranda performs in In the Heights at the Richard Rodgers Theatre © Sara Krulwich/New York Times/Redux/Eyevine

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