Lin-Manuel Miranda has signed on for his film directorial debut with the movie musical “Tick, Tick… Boom!” by the late Jonathan Larson.
Larson is known primarily for being the creator of the rock musical Rent, but that musical wasn’t his only work. Larson had other stories under his resume.
One such writing was the autobiographical rock monologue titled “Tick, Tick… Boom!” The musical went through several Off Broadway performances before being reworked by David Auburn into a stage musical that premiered in 2001.
The story is based off of Larson’s life as a struggling musical composer. The fictitious Jon is an aspiring composer, like Larson, who’s approaching his 30th birthday. He faces a midlife crisis, deals with relationship drama, and lives in a world where HIV is growing.
Lin-Manuel Miranda himself acted in the musical back in 2014 (a rehearsal of which is found below), and now, according to Deadline, the Broadway star will be taking the musical to the silver screen.
Lin-Manuel Miranda will be making his film directorial debut with the movie adaption of Tick, Tick… BOOM! Miranda will be working with Image Entertainment to produce the film. Plus, Dear Evan Hanson book writer Steven Levenson will be writing the screen adaption, and Larson’s sister Julie will be executive producing.
Said the Larson Estate:
“Our family is honored that Lin-Manuel Miranda will launch his directorial career interpreting Jonathan’s most personal work. Lin-Manuel and Steven both have a deep understanding of the piece, and we are so excited to see their vision realized. We hope that Jonathan’s story will resonate with a whole new generation of artists.”
Levenson also shared his enthusiasm for the project by saying:
“Seeing Rent for the first time, as a teenager in 1996, was one of the transformative experiences of my life. To have the opportunity, 22 years later, to work with Lin and the team at Imagine to adapt Tick, Tick…Boom! and tell Jonathan Larson’s remarkable story is a profound honor.”
Lastly, Miranda remarked on how honored he is to work on one of Jonathon Larson’s pieces.
“Tick, Tick…Boom! first entered my life in college when I was lucky enough to snag a seat at the Jane Street Theater in 2001,” Miranda said. “Jonathan Larson’s captivating storytelling in Rent first taught me that musicals could be contemporary, true to life, and depict your own experiences. But it was Tick, Tick…Boom! that solidified that drive in me to hone my own voice as a playwright. 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.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda is just one of the many people who have been touched by the works and legacy of Jonathon Larson.
Larson was a musical composer living in New York City during the 1980s and 1990s. His biggest achievement was writing the rock musical Rent, though he sadly never saw his play become the big Broadway hit (and moderate film success) that it became. Larson unexpectedly died of an aortic dissection on the morning of Rent’s first preview performance Off Broadway.
Since then, Larson’s name has been remembered as a great playwright who left us at the prime of his potential. His family uses his estate to do good for the theatre community by holding many charities. In addition, there are several notable awards named after him that give back to emerging playwrights/composers.
We look forward to seeing the movie.
