Posted: 2/23/16 at 9:51am
I haven't seen Hamilton (nor In the Heights) live yet but from what you can see/ read/ hear online I am full of respect and admiration for his work as a composer/ creator. Maybe a stupid question, but why does he star in the shows himself? Is he that good of an actor also?
Posted: 2/23/16 at 9:53am
He started out playing Usnavi because it was easier for him to play the role than for someone else new to come in and learn the raps.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 9:54am
Right. Lin was also probably the best fit for Usnavi, and it showed. He was terrific! Now...Alexander is a different story.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 9:56am
Obviously this is just going to be people fighting over whether they like Lin's performances or not. I've seen all three actors play Hamilton and Lin is my favorite. It's just a personal preference.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 9:56am
He enjoys performing as well as writing. If he wanted to play Eliza, I wouldn't put up a fight. While he might not be the best singer, I really think (contrary to many people on here's beliefs) that he is a terrific actor, having seen Hamilton. I can tell his emotions just when I listen to it, and he's amazing onstage.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 10:00am
He also didn't perform in Bring It On, so it's not like he always stars in his own work.
Sometimes a writer is so in sync with his material that he or she is the one best suited to deliver it. I don't know if even the most fervent Woody Allen fans would suggest that Allen is an acting great (though he has given many memorable performances over the years), but it's hard to imagine anyone other than Allen delivering his lines, so much so that when another actor is cast in the role so obviously written for himself, the new actor basically gives his best Allen impersonation.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 10:23am
Hi P , imho I think it is LMM's true desire to be as expressive and immersed in his work as he can be. I have the very deepest respect and regard for LMM as not only a composer and lyricist, but as a real, I hate the word "visionary", but yes...his knowledge and foresight as a director and/or performer. I don't need to toot his horn, but after seeing him in performance, listening to his interviews on NPR or podcasts, reading articles...this man is probably to Broadway and theatre music as Michael Feinstein is to the Great American Songbook. He so proudly speaks of growing up on OBC recordings and knowing and grabbing any and all information and details from whatever show he speaks of. While many think of him as primarily a director or composer I think his talent goes beyond labels and boundaries. I also think he is totally able to edit himself and if and when he feels his performance has issues, he'll know what he needs to do.
I won't say that seeing ITH or Hamilton, (twice) is a life changing experience but it is surely seeing a genius at work, being able to pull in so many elements, from lyric to dance to lights, choreography, performers, everything into such wondrous cohesiveness,... these are exquisite theater moments you will always remember.
I know, I know...you can tell I like him, but whenever I hear him labeled as "hip-hop" or "rap" it infuriates me because it seems to imply that is all his knowledge consists of. I'd love to meet him and pick his brain; and he would make a super "party guest". He's not a two-trick pony. We're so lucky that with him being young, he will be around Broadway for a long time to come.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 10:50am
The simple answer (and the best): because he wants to and can. It's a corollary to the question of why a person acts.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 10:54am
@Steve C. - well said, I agree! Sorry to nitpick, but I don't think Lin-Manuel has ever directed anything, has he?
Posted: 2/23/16 at 10:55am
No, Lin doesn't direct.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 10:57am
HogansHero said: "The simple answer (and the best): because he wants to and can. It's a corollary to the question of why a person acts.
"
This. X 1000.
I have to admit, I found his acting to be MUCH stronger this time (Last week) vs when I saw him back in July.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 10:59am
My bad, Guys sorry...guess that slipped in...but it seems we do agree 
My apologies to Tommy Kail...(and great job on Grease)
Updated On: 2/23/16 at 10:59 AM
Posted: 2/23/16 at 11:41am
My apologies to Tommy Kail...(and great job on Grease)
Kail didn't direct the live broadcast of GREASE: Live! - he only directed the actors during rehearsals and in their performances. The entire actual live broadcast was directed by Alex Rudzinski.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 11:48am
Probably because he couldn't get hired for a leading role via the normal way.
He is not exactly a decent singer.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 12:04pm
Thanks Brody...man, Oingo Boingo! let me stand corrected on this and any other errors in my post. (I'm sure we all agree on the topic anyway) S.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 1:38pm
To add to this, he obviously enjoys performing and as he has noted before, there aren't many leading roles for a Puerto Rican.
Updated On: 2/23/16 at 01:38 PM
Posted: 2/23/16 at 1:44pm
"...there aren't many leading roles for a Puerto Rican."
To be realistic, he could easily be considered for any role Raul Esparza (of Cuban background) would be. It's not as though he reads as ultra-tropical. He played Charley Kringas in Merrily.
Updated On: 2/23/16 at 01:44 PM
Posted: 2/23/16 at 1:47pm
newintown said: "To be realistic, he could easily be considered for any role Raul Esparza (of Cuban background) would be."
Funny you should mention that, considering Lin-Manuel's only acting credits outside of his own work are Jon in Tick Tick Boom, and Charley in Merrily -- both of which have been played by Raúl Esparza
Posted: 2/23/16 at 2:07pm
See also: Charles Busch
Posted: 2/23/16 at 2:40pm
newintown said: ""...there aren't many leading roles for a Puerto Rican."
To be realistic, he could easily be considered for any role Raul Esparza (of Cuban background) would be. It's not as though he reads as ultra-tropical. He played Charley Kringas in Merrily."
I don't know if this is what you are referring to, but the only thing that makes people think Raúl Esparza as Latino is his name. He has lighter features than someone like Lin Manuel-Miranda.
I have been searching and scanning YouTube for an interview LMM had where he talks about why he's in his plays. He mentioned that there were 3 roles specifically designated for Hispanic actors on Broadway: Paul San Marco in A CHORUS LINE, Bernardo in WSS and Cervantes in MAN OF LA MANCHA. He told the interviewer that he wasn't a good enough singer or dancer for Latinos, so he created shows where he could showcase Latino actors like himself.
I highly doubt someone that looked like Lin Manuel-Miranda would have starred as Bobby in Company on Broadway. Personally, I wouldn't mind that. Asian, black, etc. As long as they have the singing and acting chops and they can play the role, go for it! But Raúl Esparza passes for white. There has been this idea that "ethnic" people can make audiences feel distant, but I'm glad a show like Hamilton or In the Heights challenges this idea and can make someone who looks like LMM a lead. It gives us hope for the non-white passing Latinos, Asian, Blacks, etc.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 2:54pm
I have been searching and scanning YouTube for an interview LMM had where he talks about why he's in his plays. He mentioned that there were 3 roles specifically designated for Hispanic actors on Broadway: Paul San Marco in A CHORUS LINE, Bernardo in WSS and Cervantes in MAN OF LA MANCHA. He told the interviewer that he wasn't a good enough singer or dancer for Latinos, so he created shows where he could showcase Latino actors like himself.
"
Starts at 7:30ish:
Hip-hop and history blend for Broadway hit ‘Hamilton’
Posted: 2/23/16 at 2:58pm
I wouldn't exactly compare Lin-Manuel to Raul Esparza...Raul himself has said that when he started in the business he was told to change his name because he didn't "look" Latino. Lin isn't white-passing and Raul definitely is.
Why does any writer perform their own work? Because they want to, because they feel a connection to it that they want to express further. It's clear that Lin has a very deep personal connection both to Hamilton and In the Heights. I've seen him in both roles (plus in Merrily at Encores), and while he isn't the strongest singer he's a really dynamic presence onstage.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 2:58pm
Anakela said: "I have been searching and scanning YouTube for an interview LMM had where he talks about why he's in his plays. He mentioned that there were 3 roles specifically designated for Hispanic actors on Broadway: Paul San Marco in A CHORUS LINE, Bernardo in WSS and Cervantes in MAN OF LA MANCHA. He told the interviewer that he wasn't a good enough singer or dancer for Latinos, so he created shows where he could showcase Latino actors like himself."
Starts at 7:30ish:
Hip-hop and history blend for Broadway hit ‘Hamilton’"
Thank you so much! I hate paraphrasing when you can have a concrete answer to a question.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 3:06pm
perfectlymarvelous said: "I wouldn't exactly compare Lin-Manuel to Raul Esparza...Raul himself has said that when he started in the business he was told to change his name because he didn't "look" Latino. Lin isn't white-passing and Raul definitely is.
Why does any writer perform their own work? Because they want to, because they feel a connection to it that they want to express further. It's clear that Lin has a very deep personal connection both to Hamilton and In the Heights. I've seen him in both roles (plus in Merrily at Encores), and while he isn't the strongest singer he's a really dynamic presence onstage."
I completely agree. And Lin Manuel-Miranda is the only non-passing Latino to star in a musical since Raúl Juliá. It certainly has been a while since a show could showcase olive skinned Latinos.
Posted: 2/23/16 at 3:48pm
"... Manuel-Miranda is the only non-passing Latino to star in a musical since Raúl Juliá."
"Non-passing?" Politely disagreeing, I think he could "pass" for almost anything he wants (although I wouldn't recommend blackface or yellowface); what is it about him that makes you think he can only look/play Puerto Rican?
