Lin-Manuel Miranda to Dayton kids: ‘You guys are the best’

Cast members’ epic reaction to movie trailer warmed composer’s heart.

Credit: Screen grab

Credit: Screen grab

Dayton-area kids just proved that joy can be captured on camera in a way that warms the heart of one of the nation’s coolest celebrities.

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Muse Machine students’ reaction to the movie trailer for the upcoming film version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights” got the famed composer’s attention in a big way.

Credit: Screen grab

Credit: Screen grab

“You guys are the best. Your reaction warmed my heart and moved me to tears. Break a leg on your show, Muse Machine,” Miranda says in a video that Muse Machine posted to its Facebook page earlier this week. Miranda is best known for the Tony Award-winning “Hamilton: An American Musical.”

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Miranda began his message to students by singing lyrics from “96,000” -- a song from the musical -- adding a shout out to the Gem City at the end.

“It’s silly when we get into these crazy hypotheticals. You really want some bread? Then go ahead create a set of goals. And cross them off the list as you pursue ‘em,” he sang. “And if I am in Dayton, I know what I am doing.”

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Muse Machine, a Dayton-based arts education organization, is set to stage the musical Jan. 16-19 at the Victoria Theatre. 

Tickets are on sale now at musemachine.com, Ticket Center Stage or by calling 937-228-3630.

A week ago, Muse Machine Cast members answered a wish Miranda posted on Twitter related to the movie version of "In the Heights," set to be released June 26.

He wrote:

“All I want for Christmas is for you to post footage of your reactions when you watch the #InTheHeightsMovie trailer tomorrow. So proud and I can’t wait for you to see.”

It’s no wonder Miranda’s heart was warmed by the students’ reaction.

They are epic and have received nearly 20,000 views on YouTube.

“In the Heights” focuses on characters who live in Washington Heights, a New York Latino neighborhood. Its score includes merengue, soul music, hip-hop and salsa music.

A traveling production of the 2008 Tony Award-winning musical was staged in 2017 at the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton.

>> Five things to know about “In the Heights”

Credit: Screen grab

Credit: Screen grab

Credit: Screen grab

Credit: Screen grab

Credit: Screen grab

Credit: Screen grab

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