Lin-Manuel Miranda's father, Luis A. Miranda Jr., shares a fascinating anecdote about his son's early career. In 2009, Lin-Manuel was invited to perform at the White House Evening of Poetry, Music, and the Spoken Word. Initially, Luis advised his son to stick to a proven track record, suggesting a song from their Broadway musical, In the Heights. However, Lin-Manuel had his sights set on something different. He wanted to perform a song from his then-unreleased project, Hamilton, which he had been secretly working on. Despite his father's reservations, Lin-Manuel took the risk and presented 'The Hamilton Mixtape' to the White House. The performance was a hit, and the rest, as they say, is history. Hamilton went on to become a cultural phenomenon, winning 11 Tony Awards and a movie release in 2020. Luis reflects on this pivotal moment, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the musical, and expresses his pride in his son's success, especially considering their financial limitations. This story highlights the power of taking chances and the impact of perseverance in the arts.
