John Kander and Lin-Manuel Miranda became fast friends after the former came to see the latter’s “In The Heights” back in 2007 — as Miranda discloses in a new video featuring their new joint musical “New York, New York.”
A few years ago, Kander and Miranda collaborated on a song called “Cheering for Me Now.” “I’ve never written as fast as I write with John because I’m trying to keep up with John Kander,” Miranda recalled. “No one’s hands are faster at the piano.”
Over the years, the songwriting pals have kept in touch and Miranda attended a workshop of Kander & Ebb’s “New York, New York.”
“It was just so incredible that I kind of just became the lyric fix-it guy for this show,” Miranda said. The “Hamilton” creator continued to collaborate with Kander and is now officially credited with additional lyrics for the new musical, including a new Kander & Miranda song called “Gold.”
But Miranda shared that he learned much from the original duo. “I don’t think there is another composer-lyricist team that makes you feel as aware of being alive in that moment as Kander & Ebb’s music makes you feel,” he said. “And what I love about the show is that it really represents so many strands of New York.”
“To steal from Kander & Ebb, I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Watch the full video below:
