The people who make theater exist in a sort of parallel universe. From inside this universe,

it can seem vast. There are so many projects. The work itself is so immersive. And let's be

honest, there is a lot of gossip to keep up with. But in reality, theater is a tiny universe.

When you compare it to all the other flashier forms of entertainment like TV and film, live music and sports, video gaming, the theater universe looks like a distant and dimming star.

And yet, believers still believe. And every now and then,

someone takes a shot that is so unlikely, so audacious. And if that shot lands, it rejuvenates the

whole enterprise and makes the larger world take notice.

In other words, this tiny universe really can produce one singular sensation.

I'll start from a personal note.

My son had been on vacation and he came back and we're 15 blocks apart.

So usually comes for breakfast and says,

well, my next show, it's Hamilton.

And I'm like, the secretary of the treasury of the United States of America?

It's like, yes, I just read this amazing, and as I'm reading it...

This is the Ron Chernow biography of Hamilton, correct?

Of Hamilton, correct.

He's telling the story to my wife and I.

I see hip-hop singers jumping off the pages in my head.

I was like, he went crazy.

That is Luis Miranda Jr.

His son is Lynn Manuel Miranda.

I tell my wife, you got to read this book because you understand that this is a journey.

...