The stars hit the black carpet in the heart of New York City for the premiere of Tick, Tick…Boom!
Lin-Manuel Miranda makes his directorial debut in the film adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s autobiographical musical.
Jonathan, played by Academy Award nominee Andrew Garfield, was the creator of smash Broadway hit Rent, who died just before its opening.
Speaking at the premiere on 45th Street, the heart of Broadway, Lin-Manuel Miranda told The Knockturnal, “It’s a dream come true, I’ve been waiting for New York. Now we bring Jonathan home and he gets his Broadway debut.”
The morning of the premiere, Lin-Manuel tweeted a photo of Andrew Garfield’s character laying in bed with his keyboard, with the caption “This frame is about as personal as it gets”. Lin-Manuel explained that he unknowingly designed Jonathan Larson’s room as his own from his early 20s when he was writing his first musical.
Andrew Garfield said, “I want them to know Jonathan. I people who don’t know Jonathan to know Jonathan, I want people who already do know Jonathan to know him deeper and to have a deeper connection with him. And I want an audience to go away and be inspired by the way Jonathan lived, by his uncompromising nature, by him being a warrior for art, and for the heart and for the soul.”
Actress Vanessa Hudgens, who plays Karessa in the film, told us that Lin-Manuel Miranda is “the most enthusiastic person ever. But he’s also the most humble and you feel so seen and so safe with him. He just makes sure everyone wants to have a good time!”
Broadway star Joshua Henry, who plays Roger, said he feels “giddy” being back on the streets of Broadway after the pandemic.
“To be able to bring a story that is a tribute to theater artists everywhere is so special. And to deliver the message ‘don’t give up on your dream’ and it might take detours and it might take pauses and sometimes you might have to reverse. But it’s all about the authentic life of a theater artist and that dream all hold so dear.’
The film has an all-star cast of Broadway legends, including cameos from the original cast of Jonathan Larson’s Rent, including Daphne Rubin-Vega and Wilson Jermaine Heredia.
Chita Rivera, Judith Light, Laura Benanti, Ben Levi Ross, and more make appearances in the film, out now on Netflix.
Netflix also engaged and united students at public performing arts schools and programs across the country to create a moving compilation for the song, Louder Than Words. Get those tissues ready!