Hamilton Gala Honors Lin-Manuel Miranda at Town Hall
Broadway alumni unite for heartfelt medleys, tight camaraderie, and pure celebratory music!
Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.
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“How lucky we are to be alive right now! A great composer lives in our time, and we get to celebrate him.” That was the opening sentiment from Tony-winner Renée Elise Goldsberry as Broadway’s community gathered for HamiLten, a special gala tribute to Lin-Manuel Miranda held on April 15 at Town Hall in New York City. Against the backdrop of rolling banners and theatrical flair, the night promised more than a concert—it celebrated a living legend.
A Composer’s Celebration
From the first notes of In the Heights to the multilingual rhythms of Encanto and Moana, Miranda’s career spans stage, screen and song. Crodees1, the evening’s musical director, stitched together jazz-infused medleys that revealed hidden connections between “Journey to the Past,” “My Shot” and “Surface Pressure.” As brass horns blared and percussion raced, familiar tunes took on fresh textures, creating a festive atmosphere that had guests tapping toes and waving programs skyward.
Family Bonds Take Center Stage
More than twenty performers—ranging from original cast members to newcomers from international Hamilton tours—shared the stage in rotating ensembles. Goldsberry herself, who portrayed Angelica Schuyler in the original Hamilton cast and secured the 2016 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, joined Leslie Odom Jr., Daveed Diggs and members of Freestyle Love Supreme to deliver a spirited rendition of “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down).” Later, snippets from Encanto’s soundtrack reminded the audience of Miranda’s versatility beyond Broadway. Between numbers, the crowd, filled with alumni of Miranda’s improv group and collaborators from his film projects, cheered like family at a homecoming.
Goldsberry Reflects On Hamilton’s Legacy
In a caption shared on Instagram, Goldsberry wrote: “What I love about this gala tribute…was the HANG. Family from all of the different shows and chapters of Lin’s life have become one big family. I have my sisters! And this beautiful and growing family!” Her reflection highlights how Miranda’s works have forged long-lasting friendships and creative partnerships. According to Wikipedia, Renée Elise Goldsberry has also appeared in the NBC series Altered Carbon and lent her voice to animated features, underscoring her multifaceted career shaped in part by her work with Miranda.
Bridging Past And Present
Goldsberry’s connection to the Hamilton community goes back years. In a #HamilTuesday post last summer (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJDBFYfgDra/), she mused on her 2016 return to the production after a brief hiatus, noting, “When God blesses, it’s not finite. I still second-guess before every performance, but His gift is like the rising of the sun—not to be taken for granted.” That post, tagged #HamilTEN, foreshadowed the sentiment at HamiLten: that Miranda’s influence continues to shine on throughout new casts and creative teams.
Philanthropy In Tune
Beyond the performances, HamiLten served as a benefit for Town Hall’s civic arts and youth programming. Attendees enjoyed themed cocktails like the “Hamilton Highball” and “Helpless Hour” during intermission, mingling in the venue’s grand lobby under gilded chandeliers. Proceeds from ticket sales will fund educational workshops and free community concerts, ensuring that Miranda’s spirit uplifts future generations of artists.
Passing The Torch Through Song
For the finale, Miranda himself joined Goldsberry and a rotating chorus of Broadway alumni in a stirring performance of “The Story of Tonight,” a number that Miranda introduced during early workshops for Hamilton. Bathed in soft blue light, the ensemble embraced before launching into the third verse, symbolizing the enduring legacy of collaboration and creativity. Fans rose to their feet, waving programs in unison—a testament to the communal magic that Miranda’s music fosters.
As the curtains closed on Town Hall’s stage, it was clear that HamiLten had honored more than a single composer. It had celebrated the alliances, the friendships and the unbreakable bonds forged through shared artistic vision. For Renée Elise Goldsberry and her fellow performers, the evening reaffirmed one truth: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music doesn’t just fill theaters—it brings people together, generation after generation.
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