Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, already the winner of this year’s Pulitzer Prize for Drama, has been a phenomenon. “It’s unbelievable — it’s absolutely humbling and incredible,” said the show’s 36-year-old creator and star, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was nominated for three awards himself, for his book, his music and his performance in the title role.
– The megahit musical Hamilton has grabbed a record-breaking 16 Tony Award nominations, the biggest haul in Broadway history and another notch in the show's march into theatrical history. Lin-Manuel Miranda's hip-hop-flavored biography about the first US treasury secretary broke the 15-nominations record Tuesday held by The Producers and Billy Elliot. Hamilton was nominated in virtually every category it could compete in, from acting to scenic design. Next month, it will compete for Broadway's biggest crown—best new musical—with Bright Star, School of Rock, Shuffle Along, and Waitress. The New York Times notes that those competitors probably realize they don't have much of a shot against Miranda's powerhouse production, but they know the nomination itself may help boost ticket sales for their own musicals. Deadline reports Hamilton has already brought in a never-before-seen $80 million in advance ticket sales since it began its official Great White Way run in August. Meanwhile, the best play category is composed of Eclipsed, The Father, The Humans, and King Charles III. The awards will be handed out June 12, with James Corden playing host from the Beacon Theatre in New York. (Hamilton also just won a Pulitzer.)