Reports of ‘Hamilton’ star’s approaching departure cause ticket prices to surge

Hannah Williams, News Editor

Lin-Manuel Miranda, 36, reached stardom when he created and starred in the hit Broadway musical “In the Heights.” But when Miranda created and starred in the musical “Hamilton” beginning in 2015, he reached success that was nearly unprecedented.

“Hamilton,” a hip-hop musical telling the tale of the Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, began shows on Broadway less than a year ago and has earned record-breaking success in its ticket sales and number of awards. However, a report reached The Hollywood Reporter that Miranda plans to leave the production soon, and ticket prices subsequently surged to a minimum of $1,592 on StubHub, CNNMoney reports.

Though Miranda’s camp has not yet confirmed his impending departure, The Hollywood Reporter writes that sources “close to him” say he will leave after July 9.

The contracts of Miranda and other members of the company are set to expire July 9, and Miranda’s departure from the production at that time would be in congruence with the careers of others in his position.

Even though “Hamilton” began performances on Broadway less than a year ago, the show has been in existence since February 2015 when Miranda first opened the show. Broadway shows typically are shown 9 times a week, so Miranda has participated in its showing for several hundred performances.

His impending departure is to be expected at this point in the production, even if no report of a specific departure date existed.

In the meantime, “Hamilton” is expected to continue raking in profit. Just last week, the show grossed $1.9 million, and while retail ticket prices have been $85 to $300, tickets on StubHub begin at $1,592 and reach $9,975, according to CNNMoney.

Ticket sales aside, “Hamilton” is also largely beloved by critics, as shown by the 16 Tony nominations it received about a month ago in addition to its Grammy and Pulitzer Prize.

“I am loath to tell people to mortgage their houses and lease their children to acquire tickets to a hit Broadway show. But ‘Hamilton,’ directed by Thomas Kail and starring Mr. Miranda, might just about be worth it,” wrote Ben Brantley in his review of the show for The New York Times.

The Economist featured a review noting that the production garners “near-universal critical acclaim.”

While ticket prices have surged following the report, ticket sales after the star’s departure, which will almost certainly come eventually, may drastically fall, for many critics cite Miranda as the highlight of the show.

The star reportedly told sources that he plans to leave the show in order to work on other projects. He is set to star with Emily Blunt in “Mary Poppins Returns,” and he also wrote music for Disney’s animated musical “Moana,” which will reach theaters in November.