Lin-Manuel Miranda to Make Directorial Debut With 'Tick, Tick...Boom!'
Singer-writer-actor Lin-Manuel Miranda is about to add another hyphenate: Director.
After dabbling in Disney with work on films like "Moana" and "Mary Poppins Returns," Miranda is returning to his Broadway roots, making his feature directorial debut on an adaptation of musical "Tick, Tick...Boom!" Deadline reports that in addition to helming the flick, Miranda will also produce, alongside Hollywood bigwigs Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.
"Tick, Tick...Boom!" is the debut autobiographical musical of the late "Rent" creator Jonathan Larson. Here's a breakdown of the show's plot, per Deadline:
Set in 1990, Tick, Tick…Boom! tells the story of Jon, an aspiring theater composer who is waiting tables in New York City while writing Superbia – which he hopes will be the next great American musical and finally give him his big break. Jon is also feeling pressure from his girlfriend Susan, who is tired of continuing to put her life on hold for Jon’s career aspirations. Meanwhile, his best friend and roommate Michael, has given up on his creative aspirations for a high paying advertising job on Madison Avenue and is about to move out. As Jon approaches his 30th birthday, he is overcome with anxiety – wondering if his dream is worth the cost.
In addition to Miranda, Howard, and Grazer, Larson's sister, Julie will also produce the movie. And the impressive creative team doesn't end there: Steven Levenson, who penned the Tony-winning book to recent smash "Dear Evan Hanson," will be writing the screenplay.
Miranda, who once starred in an Off-Broadway production of "Tick, Tick...Boom!," said in a statement to Deadline that the show "solidified that drive in me to hone my own voice as a playwright."
His statement continued:
"On stage, playing the role of ‘Jon’ in 2014 was one of my most honored achievements. To now have the opportunity to make my film directorial debut, in collaboration with the Larson Family and this incredible creative team, and to adapt a work I love so deeply, is a humbling privilege. Together, we aim to honor Jonathan’s legacy and continue to position his work to inspire the next generation of storytellers."
No word yet on when "Tick, Tick...Boom!" night hit theaters. Next up for Miranda is another project close to his Broadway beginnings: A big screen adaptation of his debut musical, "In the Heights."
[via: Deadline]