Is ‘Encanto’ Coming to Broadway?

Two years later, many of us are still humming the incomparable tunes from Encanto. Songs such as “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”—which has become the second number-one song for Disney in the US—and “Surface Pressure” continue to live long past the hype of the film. The longevity of the Encanto soundtrack is no surprise, considering its eight most contagious tracks were penned by none other than Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Last year, Miranda opened up to E! News about the endless possibilities of Encanto and how there are many Madrigal family stories left to tell. He even teased, and went into a bit of detail, of a Broadway adaptation.

“I think it weirdly lends itself well. They don’t always. I can’t picture a Moana Broadway musical. I don’t know how you’d do the ocean,” Miranda told E! News. He continued: “I will tell you that my first draft of the last song in the movie, ‘All of You,’ was like seven minutes long,” he said. “It was so late in production that they were like, ‘Lin, we won’t make the movie in time. You actually have to cut this down.’ So I’ve got the Broadway finale in the chamber for a deeper version of that last song.”

Not only did Lin-Manuel Miranda show interest in adapting Encanto for the stage. He even confirmed there are deeper cuts of “All of You,” one which would lend itself to being the perfect Broadway finale. Considering Miranda’s Broadway connections and success, it’s more than easy to imagine the rest of this coming together.

If these words came from other sources, other creators in the field who were less seriously driven than Miranda, we wouldn’t be getting our hopes up. But this is Lin-Manuel Miranda we’re talking about. Usually, once he sets his mind to doing something, it’s done.

“A New Deal for Broadway” and Encanto

The making of Encanto on Broadway would also fit right into the new initiatives being taken by theater at large. In August 2021, more than 50 renown theater producers, choreographers, executives, and union leaders committed to “A New Deal for Broadway.” The pledge promises more inclusive casting, renaming of theaters, and more BIPOC representation in creative teams.

We can’t think of a more celebratory way of honoring more diversity in theater than welcoming Mirabel and the rest of the Madrigal family to Broadway. Not to mention, we couldn’t dream of a better creator than Lin-Manuel Miranda to carry out this adaptation. What other songs could Miranda have in store for the world of Encanto? Our heads are swimming with the musical possibilities.

Would Hamilton end its run to make room for Encanto?

Another Lin-Manuel production—the critically acclaimed Hamilton—currently resides at the iconic Richard Rogers Theatre. After its debut in 2015, and winning a record-breaking number of Tony Awards that year, Hamilton is certified as one of the best shows Broadway has to offer. Even after a seven-year run, Hamilton continues to draw full audiences and generate significant revenue for Broadway.

Which is why we believe Hamilton will continue running even after Encanto finds a home on Broadway. Especially since Encanto, with its Disney affiliation, contorts a completely different experience for theater goers than Hamilton. It’s more kid-friendly, and draws from a completely different (and magical realist) history.

Far from opposing each other, we trust both of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s darlings can coexist on Broadway. Even more, Broadway would be lucky to have two Lin-Manuel Miranda shows in its arsenal of theatrical offerings. Is Encanto coming to Broadway? Get ready, because we think it’s only a matter of time.