Liked ‘ Hamilton’? New documentary shows where it came from

NEW YORK ( AP) — You’ve probably seen or heard the highly scripted side of Lin-Manuel Miranda. Now get to know the unscripted one.

The playwright, actor and songwriter this month follows up the streaming live capture of his triumphant Broadway musical “Hamilton” with a documentary on Hulu showing his impressive hip-hop improv skills in “We Are Freestyle Love Supreme.”

Freestyle Love Supreme performances o er thrillingly creative, fly-by-the-seatof-your-pants moments, in which the performers weave songs out of random words and audience suggestions like “dishwasher” or “peanut butter.”

Director Andrew Fried turned his camera on in 2005 when the troupe did a run of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and then charts the group’s development over the years, capping it with a 2019 Broadway run. In her review, Associated Press Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called it “essential” to Miranda disciples. Miranda describes the improv group as a crucial creative spark to his more formal stage shows, which include the Tony Award-winning “Hamilton” and “In the Heights.”

“I’ve often sort of jokingly called Freestyle Love Supreme the opposing muscle group of my writing,” Miranda tells The Associated Press.

“The fact that I have this other artistic output forced me to be present and create lyrics on the spot. It made me a better writer.”

The virus pandemic and calls for social justice have scrambled the original schedules for the documentary and “Hamilton.” Disney had wanted “Hamilton” to be in movie theaters in October, but put it on Disney+ and moved it up to coincide with Independence Day. “We Are Freestyle Love Supreme” was supposed to go first in June but that was pushed back to Friday in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests.