American Songbook Season Kicks Off Jan. 11 with Lin-Manuel Miranda's The Hamilton Mixtape

By Andrew Gans
January 11, 2012

The 14th season of Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series in the Allen Room of Jazz at Lincoln Center kicks off Jan. 11 with Tony-winning In the Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Miranda is offering a sneak preview of new songs from a work-in-progress: The Hamilton Mixtape, a hip-hop song cycle about the life and death of American founding father Alexander Hamilton. Miranda first performed part of The Hamilton Mixtape for President Obama at the White House; this one-night-only performance takes place on what would have been Hamilton’s 255th birthday.

The 8:30 PM concert also features the talents of Utkarsh Ambudkar, Gavin Creel, James Monroe Iglehart, Christopher Jackson, Moeisha Mcgill, Mandy Gonzalez, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Jon Rua and Chris "Shockwave" Sullivan.

These artists are backed by musical director and arranger Alex Lacamoire, keyboard; Cian McCarthy, keyboard; Michael Aarons, guitar; Matt Rubano, bass; Sean McDaniel, drums; and Tim Keiper, percussion.

Thomas Kail (In the Heights) directs the evening with assistant direction by Lisa Szolovits.

To read a recent interview with Miranda, click here.

Tickets can be purchased online at Lincoln Center’s website www.AmericanSongbook.org, via CenterCharge at (212) 721-6500, at the Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall Box Office, or at the Frederick P. Rose Hall Box Office.

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Details of the other theatre-related American Songbook concerts follow:

Jan. 14 at 8:30 PM: William Finn: Songs of Innocence and Experience
Tony winner Finn will be joined by favorite vocalists, and they’ll bring to The Allen Room a song cycle inspired by the poetry of William Blake "focusing on family, belonging, love, loss, and healing – the stuff of the great American Songbook."

Jan. 19 at 8:30 PM: LaChanze
The Tony-winning actress will perform a variety of songs including some from shows she has appeared in, "displaying the beauty of her voice and her dramatic skill with a lyric."

Jan. 21 at 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM: Michael Cerveris
The Tony-winning actor will present The Idea of the South, a genre-defying recital/cabaret/hootenanny of songs ranging from the Carter Family and Johnny Mercer to Vic Chestnutt and Samuel Barber with guest musicians from New Orleans.

Feb. 3 at 8:30 PM: Hello, Gorgeous! Leslie Kritzer Sings Jule Styne
Kritzer will turn her Broadway belt to songs by the great Jule Styne, composer of Gypsy and Funny Girl and other iconic shows.

Feb. 4 at 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM: Gavin Creel & Stephen Oremus
Creel and Tony Award-winning music director, arranger and orchestrator Stephen Oremus have put together a night of classic theatre tunes and alternative rock.

Feb. 10 at 8:30 PM and Feb. 12 at 6:30 PM: Elaine Paige
The reigning queen of British musical theatre and Olivier Award winner Elaine Paige, who is currently starring in the Broadway revival of Follies, will make her solo New York concert debut.

Feb. 11 at 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM: Laura Benanti
Tony winner Benanti will display her crystal-clear soprano and her antic sense of humor.