Lin-Manuel Miranda drops in on Austin ‘Hamilton’ show
Austin fans of the musical “Hamilton” were joined by a very special guest on Thursday as the show’s creator and original star, Lin-Manuel Miranda, dropped in on the touring production’s performance at Bass Concert Hall.
Miranda, who spent part of his day in Austin hanging out with director Robert Rodriguez, decided to come to town on a whim, because he wanted to have dinner with friends and he hadn’t yet seen the touring company presenting the Austin production. (There are six Hamilton touring companies currently on the road.)
His father, community organizer Luis Miranda Jr., joined him on the trip and used the occasion to throw an intimate fundraiser for the Latino Victory Fund, a political action committee dedicated to increasing Latino representation in all levels of government. The elder Miranda is the board chair for the PAC. Both Mirandas talked about their drive to defeat President Donald Trump in 2020 at the fundraiser.
“We have never had a president as hostile to our people,” Lin-Manuel Miranda said, noting that Trump launched his campaign by calling Mexicans rapists and criminals and has taken a hard line on border issues while stymieing attempts to provide federal aid to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. “He’s been as good as his word all the way.”
Miranda mingled and took photos with guests, before the group boarded shuttles to take them to the performance at Bass Concert Hall.
Praising “Hamilton” lead actor Joseph Morales — who also played the lead role, Usnavi, in the touring company for his first Broadway musical, “In the Heights” — Lin-Manuel Miranda promised to stay in his seat during the performance.
Lin_Manuel: Memories from last night in Austin with this incredible company and...a wild @unfoRETTAble appears!
