In The Heights’ Lin-Manuel Miranda at Work on Musical Adaptation of My Name Is Asher Lev

In The Heights' Lin-Manuel Miranda can’t get enough of his hometown! Known for bringing gritty city tales to life on the Great White Way, the Tony Award-winning composer is partnering with his In The Heights book writer, Quiara Alegría Hudes, for a musical adaptation of Chaim Potok’s novel My Name Is Asher Lev, according to the New York Times.

“It was my favorite book growing up,” Mr. Miranda told the newspaper. “I’ve reread it countless times, and I finally obtained the rights last year. In a lot of ways that book speaks profoundly about what it is to be an artist and to feel a responsibility to your culture and your people.”

Written in 1972, My Name Is Asher Lev tells the story of a young Hasidic Jew who dreams of living a life as an artist in New York City.

Miranda is currently set to play Charley Kringas in Encores! mounting of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along, beginning February 8. He also kicks off Lincoln Center’s 2012 American Songbook series on January 11 with a sneak preview of new songs from The Hamilton Mixtape, a hip-hop song cycle about the life and death of Alexander Hamilton. 

Miranda earned a Tony Award for the score of In The Heights and starred as the show's lead character, Usnavi. Miranda also co-wrote the music and lyrics for the currently touring Bring It On: The Musical, with Tom Kitt and Amanda Green.