Book talk: “Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist” with Daniel Pollack-Pelzner (PhD ‘10)
Thursday, October 30, 2025 6-8pm in Cedar Mill
Join the Harvard Club of Oregon and Southwest Washington for an intimate book talk with Daniel Pollack-Pelzner (PhD ‘10) about his new book, Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist.
Called “triumphant” and "revelatory", this book is an intimate and captivating exploration of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s artistic journey, revealing how the creator of the Broadway musicals Hamilton and In the Heights found his unique voice through bold collaborations, redefining the world of musical theater. Drawing on interviews with Miranda’s inner circle—and many conversations with Miranda himself—Daniel Pollack-Pelzner shares Miranda’s behind-the-scenes origin story: a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and cultural synthesis.
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Event Details:
Our evening will be hosted by an alum in Cedar Mill, close to the intersection of Hwy 26 and 217.
- 6pm: Event begins; mingle with fellow alumni over light refreshments
- 7-7:45pm: Book talk & Q&A
- 8pm: Event close
Location: Cedar Mill, close to the intersection of Hwy 26 and 217. Exact address provided after RSVP.
RSVP: Click here to RSVP. Space is limited, so please RSVP early. If you RSVP and are no longer able to attend, please email the organizers as soon as possible.
Questions? Email marta.hanson(at)gmail.com
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Additional information:
Can’t make this event but still want to hear from the author and read the book?
About the author:
Daniel Pollack-Pelzner received his B.A. in History from Yale and his Ph.D. in English from Harvard. As a cultural historian and theater critic, his articles about playwrights from Shakespeare to Quiara Alegría Hudes have appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The New York Times. He currently teaches English and theater at Portland State University, is the scholar-in-residence at the Portland Shakespeare Project, and is a frequent guest lecturer at theaters around the country.
What early readers are saying:
- “This insightful biography of the most life enhancing musical theatre figure of his generation is essential reading, and not just for theatre nuts. I couldn’t put it down.” —Andrew Lloyd Webber
- “It’s a revelatory tell-all! But there is so much gold here, I had to put down the popcorn and start taking notes. At one point, I was crying reading the part I thought I knew, because there was so much to learn. The life lessons here demystify more than how to make a masterpiece; they teach us how to live. May the origin story of all our heroes be told in this way!” —Renée Elise Goldsberry, Tony and Grammy-winning actor
- “I witnessed Lin-Manuel’s brilliance performing opposite him in Hamilton every night, and I always wondered where his genius came from. This book reveals his fascinating origin story. It’s more than a gripping biography; it’s a creative handbook for anyone who wants to innovate, to collaborate, to synthesize their influences into something new.” —Leslie Odom, Jr., Tony and Grammy-winning actor
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