Lin-Manuel Miranda - by Daniel Pollack-Pelzner (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A "valuable, comprehensive" (Quiara Alegría Hudes, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright), captivating exploration of Lin-Manuel Miranda's artistic journey, revealing how the creator of the Broadway musicals Hamilton and In the Heights found his unique voice through bold collaborations, 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 is his incredible story as never told before, tracing Miranda's path from an 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 Disney's Moana and Encanto; and the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize and a MacArthur Genius Grant. Miranda's journey is a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and cultural synthesis. He was not a musical prodigy, but an insatiable drive to create art and learn from those around him propelled him to fuse his Latino heritage with pop, hip-hop, and the musical styles of Broadway. His was a new way of telling American stories, and of speaking to new audiences. Drawing on interviews with Miranda's family, friends, and mentors--and many conversations with Miranda himself--Daniel Pollack-Pelzner delves into the formative experiences that shaped Miranda as an artist, from his early musicals in high school and college to the creation of his Broadway and Hollywood triumphs. With full access to Miranda's inner circle, this behind-the-scenes origin story is sure to captivate his legions of fans and beyond.

Review Quotes

"Pollack-Pelzner brings us so deeply into [Miranda's] work that we feel the zing of creation." -NPR "A book packed with the kind of revelations and insights that should make musical theater nerds squeal. The biography also makes grad seminar-level connections in sparkly, accessible prose." -San Francisco Chronicle "A vibrant portrait of Miranda and the influences and creatives that have shaped him. This book busts the 'genius myth', lifting the lid on the process of rewrites, mistakes and cuts that have made [Miranda] the preeminent musical theater voice of a generation." -BBC "Engaging...involving...this is the rare book where you are likely to be singing along as you read." -America "Packed with insider quotes, enjoyable details, and musings on the artistic process, Lin-Manuel Miranda is a delightful glimpse into the mind of an endlessly ingenious creator." -Shelf Awareness "Pollack-Pelzner pulls us in, making us feel like we're part of the production stories, waiting with bated breath. Not only does the book take us through Miranda's incredible life, it also takes us into his thinking and his decisions; it's educational, inspiring, and downright fun to read." -Front Row Center "A must read for theater lovers, historians, performers and aspiring artists alike." -BookTrib "Pollack-Pelzner's affectionate biography provides an illuminating look at Miranda's creative development and influences. The biography depicts a joyous, charismatic, well-meaning, occasionally imperfect man and artist who loves the limelight and manages to absorb useful lessons from nearly everything he hears, reads and sees." -Los Angeles Times

About the Author

Daniel Pollack-Pelzner has written about theater and contemporary culture for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The New York Times. Born and raised in Oregon, he teaches theater history at Portland State University and is the scholar-in-residence at the Portland Shakespeare Project. He lives in Portland with his wife, whom he met in a fifth-grade production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and their two children.