Since last week I can answer that question. Last week, outside the theater in Hamburg we met Lin-Manuel and Luis Miranda. My friend and me had been in Hamburg on Tuesday to watch the last preview performance of Hamilton and we knew Lin-Manuel would be in town on Wednesday and Thursday but everything else was unknown. At what time would they fly in, where will they stay, when will they be at the theater? We did not know. So how did we manage? I will tell you.
First I need to tell you about the preview performance of Hamilton.
This was the first time I ever saw Hamilton performed live on a stage. I’m Dutch, I speak Dutch and English. My German is limited to high school classes I followed grudgingly, partly because of the teacher and partly because languages are difficult for me to learn and I preferred to spend my energy learning English (at that time for no other reasons than my favorite TV series Baywatch and 90210, were in English. You can make good life choices for the wrong reasons 😉) I know the words of Hamilton by heart so during the show I was not focusing on the language. It did not matter, this show is the best show I’ve ever seen in a theater and it was for the first time I fully understood the genius of this musical.
The people that came together to make this all understood the brief, made it their own and did something brilliant together. Lighting, costume, set, choreography, music, and everything else is spot on. The genius of Lin-Manuel is bringing these people together and giving them this vision and letting them add to it. This work of art is mind blowing and you need to see it. You need to be there in the room where it happens, to fully experience that. So go see Hamilton in German, even if you don’t speak German, it will be worth it. The cast in Germany is really, really good. I especially love the actors that perform George Washington and the King. They are also all really nice people. We met them at the stage door that night.
Coming back to the original story
Of course we checked if they knew when Lin-Manuel would arrive. They were all just as excited as us to meet him but had no information to share other than rumors. The rumor was that Lin-Manuel would be there the next day. We already knew this much so come the next day we were without a plan. We figured we would take a chance, loaded the car with all our gifts and we went to the theater.
Sometimes the universe aligns because when we arrived at the theater Lin-Manuel and Luis stepped out of the car and went in the building. We had no time at that moment to say hello, but we knew very sure that they were inside. If we did not know that we might have gone somewhere to eat, but we did not, we waited, outside for them to come out.
When they came out they saw us, greeted us and gave us the opportunity to come say hello. We introduced ourselves, they knew us of social media which still blows my mind. (They get so many messages, where do you find the time to read?) I gave Luis my painting, I asked Lin-Manuel to sign the painting I made for my friend, which he did. We forgot to bring a colored marker and since there is a lot of black in that painting I did not make it easy to sign so I apologized for that and he said “Oh, that’s fine. I’ll just sign my collar”
He signed other things for my friend, a lot of other things. After that we were able to take some photos. (Thank you again for making them Charlie.) First with just Lin-Manuel but I really wanted photos with Luis too and we got them. They took the time and were so friendly, it turns out he is real, he is human (my friend checked 😉) and as inspiring as advertised.
I can’t recall all the words that were said , I do recall exactly how I felt
I felt welcome and seen. In interviews, movies and on social media you see the energy and the vibes they give. Some part of my mind always thought that can’t really be true. It’s just for that moment and then they tone it down. Let me tell you the energy is real and even more intense when it’s aimed at you. There is no filter between Lin-Manuel and the world. I have never met anyone that did not have a filter. The filter for me is, basically me, my mind that processes, thinks, judges and then gives a response. I know how to shut it off and what it brings me when I succeed but it’s a constant struggle with myself so much so I was beginning to think it just can’t be done for more than a moment.
Lin-Manuel showed me it can be done and let me feel the effect when you do that. Just be in the moment, be there for the person across from you. For me that was awe inspiring. He truly is there and nowhere else in his mind but still very aware of his surroundings, this proves how much he is connected to his feelings or his gut if you will.
I always knew I needed to learn from them but I was struggling with the lessons and where to start because it all intertwines, creativity, decision making, building a community, etc. This meeting made it crystal clear. Lin-Manuel was and still is my Obi-Wan like I said in my last blog. Meeting him made me fully understand why, a lesson I will take to heart but honestly one lesson is not enough to learn how to do this myself.
So Lin-Manuel, next time you feel someone watching it might be me, watching you as I would watch a good teacher (not my German teacher 😉) and I will learn. Thank you for your time, patience and the opportunity to meet you. Luis, thank you also for your time, your support, generosity and thank you both for your kindness.
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Thank you, Jolanda for this great insight into your experience and to verify what I felt to be true about Lin and Luis. This helps to know and hope that I experience on DBS Day.
Amazing 🥺 Thank you so much for sharing, i'm glad you were able to have that experience ❤️❤️❤️ i really can't wait for my turn in the figure 💚💚
Thanks for sharing your experience, Jolanda. I totally concur. These gentlemen are so genuine and authentic. Their generosity is limitless.
Jolanda, thank you for verifying what I knew in my heart to be true. Lin-Manuel and Luis truly do care, this is not an act or anything self-serving. They truly want to inspire us to make the world a better place and are leading by example.
Jolanda, this is a wonderful description of your amazing experience meeting Lin and Luis! I am so incredibly happy for you and S, dreams coming true!!