BWW Flashback: A Lin-Manuel Miranda Musical You May Not Know
By: Michael Dale
Where does Lin-Manuel Miranda come up with ideas for musicals? Naturally from his own upbringing (In The Heights), unexpectedly from American history (Hamilton) and once, remarkably enough, from a radio broadcast of Ira Glass' This American Life.
First listen to this story, first heard in February of 2012, about a high school student who goes too far for love when he falls for a new classmate who is actually an undercover police officer looking for drug dealers.
Then check out below how Lin-Manuel Miranda adapted the story into Naomi, a mini-musical starring Anthony Ramos and Lindsay Mendez, performed at BAM for last year's This American Life Live.
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Orchestrations - Top 3
1.
Ethan Popp, The Rescues - The Lost Boys
29.1% of votes
2.
Lux Pyramid - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
16.3% of votes
3.
Anders Eljas, Brian Usifer - Chess
12.5% of votes
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