Tumblr, a microblogging platform and social networking website, is often loaded with illegal bootlegged material, and Miranda got wind that his show was next.
In a post by user "capt-mom," they write, "here I am/patiently waiting for a bootleg of Hamilton/I mean it's been nine whole days what's the holdup?"
Lin-Manuel Miranda and cast in Hamilton at the Public Theater
Miranda responded, "Here I am. The composer. Actively rooting against you."
A reply to Miranda read, "Well then can you record it and post it on CBS or something so that us poor people who can't afford to pay for a show can have the privilege of seeing it too?" Miranda explained, "Oh, I've caused a shitstorm. Sorry. I barely understand Tumblr (I'm much better at the Twitter, I just have an account so I can see the lovely arts n crafts some of you make on here). We're going to make a really good recording of the show this summer and I want you to hear that. I'm thrilled you haven't heard a shitty, half-iphone recorded version yet, because I spent 6 years writing this and when you hear it, I want you to hear what I intended. I'm sorry theater only exists in one place at a time but that is also its magic. A bootleg cannot capture it. I'm grateful and glad you want to hear it, and I want you to hear it RIGHT. I ask your patience. This is Lin, by the way. Do I click reblog now? What is th…"
Miranda is active in the fight against illegal sharing of songwriters' material, including bootlegs, sheet music piracy and sharing without permission.
At an event last April, raising awareness for sheet music piracy and illegal downloads, he told Playbill.com, "This is the beginning of a conversation that's been happening informally — thanks to social media — for some time between composers and people who enjoy our music and the people who have no idea they're taking money out of our pocket by going to one of the sites where you can get anything we ever wrote for free. We're not going to see [songwriters like] Justin Bieber in this room. We make our living off of sheet music. We make our living off of digital music…and a lot of what this event is about is saying, 'There are ways to enjoy our music and download our music and purchase our music that supports the artists you love so much.'"
Hamilton, acclaimed for its style, flair and historical importance, will be releasing a cast album this summer.
Until then, a lottery draws before each performance at The Public Theater.
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