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NEW YORK — Lin-Manuel Miranda gave us “Hamilton,” “In the Heights” and the soundtrack of “Moana,” that families haven’t stopped singing for nearly a decade.
Now, he’s helping bring that world back to life, this time in live action, with new music and a new “Moana.”
Entertainment reporter Joelle Garguilo sat down with Miranda before he hit the blue carpet for the New York City premiere of the film held in Washington Heights on Thursday night.
Garguilo: In this movie, I felt it different in live action.
Miranda: Absolutely. The fact that we get to represent Pacific Island culture in this flesh and blood way. We’re so proud.
Garguilo: We have to start with a new song, “Along the Way.” When you are writing music, you’re writing with a character in mind.
Miranda: Yeah.
Garguilo: But with this one, you have two Moana’s.
Miranda: We’ve got the only two women in the world who know what it feels like to play Moana. It’s this mix of… I’ve been there before and you’re going to be fine. To musicalise that as a conversation between two sisters was really special.
Garguilo: You write for someone, you have to be in their head. What’s the difference of being in Moana’s head versus Maui’s head?
Miranda: Yeah, it’s pretty fun being The Rock. I get to write to this larger-than-life persona, and I was a fan of his when he was a wrestler. “Now you smell what The Rock is cooking.” “I don’t care what you think.” I really wrote it to The Rock.
Garguilo: The relationship between you and Tommy I will never get sick of. You went to the same college, but you didn’t cross paths.
Miranda: He’s a senior, and I was a freshman, and the only interaction we had… we both were directing shows off campus, so we had to share a light plot. I would finish my show, and his friend Neil would come and take my lights where his show was. So, his first time hearing Lin-Manuel Miranda was like this freshman stealing his lights. He’s like, “who is this kid?”
Garguilo: There’s a version of you. There’s a kid writing in college. What would he think about kids singing his songs?
Miranda: It’s funny because now my kids singing my songs has become part of the process. They are the food testers before anything leaves my drafts. I remember Frankie came home from school one day, and he was like, “daddy, it was so hard not to sing it in school.” I was like… you can hum it, just don’t, you know, give away. The movie is not out yet.
Garguilo: For the first time, you did “Hamilton” at the White House. Do you remember what you were feeling?
Miranda: It was terrifying. “The Hamilton.” I cannot believe how brave I was. I just think this is a good idea and I thought they would all laugh, and I’m like, it is a good idea. I’m really proud of 28-year-old me.
Garguilo: I have a word association game with you. When I say the $10 founding father…
Miranda: Without a father.
Garguilo: Got a lot farther by working a lot harder…
Miranda: Well, now you’re just going to do the show.
Garguilo: When I say warrior, you say…
Miranda: Come out to play. That’s coming to Broadway. March and April of next year.
Garguilo: “Moana.”
Miranda: In theaters.
Garguilo: What do you want everyone to know about the live action “Moana”?
Miranda: Don’t wait for it to come to streaming. Really see it in the theater. Bring your family. Give them the big screen experience because it’s really gorgeous and worth it.
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