The History-Making Engagements of Hamilton in Puerto Rico

HAMILTON's legacy in Puerto Rico

The productions of HAMILTON in Puerto Rico (Jan 11-27, 2019, June 13-25, 2023) helped raise funds for the restoration of arts and cultural programs in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and María. The funds—a combination of box office revenue, humanitarian grants, sponsorships, and other donations—were distributed by the Flamboyán Arts Fund, created by Lin-Manuel and the Miranda Family in partnership with the Flamboyán Foundation.

In total, over $15 million was raised and distributed to local arts groups, cultural organizations, and independent artists with long-term initiatives geared toward self-sustainability. Grantees so far include Andanza Dance Company, CREARTE Arts-In-Education Organization, Beta Local, Ballet de San Juan, Música Pa’ Culebra, Taller Cinemático, Taller Folklórico Central, Y No Había Luz Theater Company, Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, and the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo. 

HAMILTON’s performances at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center left a longstanding impact on the Island that goes beyond the proceeds of the play. The play empowered and benefited dozens of local artists and institutions for the future while also spotlighting Puerto Rico as a world-class tourism destination and sharing the story of the Island’s recovery post-hurricane. 

Unprecedented Partnership

HAMILTON in Puerto Rico joined forces with Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) and the Island’s Destination Marketing Organization, Discover Puerto Rico, to provide travelers with “The Hamilton Experience,” travel packages curated around HAMILTON (the show) and different themes. In 2019, nearly 2,000 tickets were allocated to four travel operators endorsed by PRTC, offering 3 to 4-night stay packages for visitors to the Island to venture out and enjoy an itinerary of local experiences, and then catch a performance of HAMILTON in San Juan starring Lin-Manuel.

Rutrex, Vámonos Tours, Rico Sun Tours, and Castillo Tours curated diverse itineraries to highlight culture, gastronomy, adventure, and art. This was the first time that a coalition of public and private partners across multiple industries joined forces to create a comprehensive tourism and economic development initiative built around an iconic cultural event in Puerto Rico. The initiative was a success, with all packages sold out by the time that the show began its 24-performance run in San Juan in 2019.

“The idea was to ensure that tourists coming into Puerto Rico to enjoy HAMILTON, did not come only to see the show, and leave without truly experiencing the Island. These tour packages included tickets to a performance but also a unique itinerary of experiences so that world travelers and regional tourists could flavor some of the great attractions and experiences that only Puerto Rico can offer,” said Luis A. Miranda Jr., Lin-Manuel’s father and one of the creators of this initiative.

All proceeds from the HAMILTON Tours went to Puerto Rico’s tourism industry, institutions, vendors, and operators, which continued to recover from the impact of hurricanes Irma and María. 

The Tonight Show, from San Juan!

While HAMILTON was packing the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan, starring Lin-Manuel, Jimmy Fallon and the crew of "The Tonight Show," one of the world's most watched late-night talk shows, arrived in Puerto Rico for a special edition that celebrated the Island’s arts, culture, and tourism sites, along with its recovery since Hurricane María. For a few days, Fallon hung out with locals, visited some of the area’s landmarks, and interviewed noted personalities. The episode aired on January 19th, 2019, to much acclaim. 

Want to learn more about the special edition of "The Tonight Show Desde Puerto Rico"? Watch clips and discover the exciting places featured during the episode. Check out our article Celebrate Puerto Rico à la Jimmy Fallon.

Conventions

HAMILTON in Puerto Rico also helped to show that Puerto Rico is an ideal destination for conventions, summits, and other special events. 

In 2019, while the show was on stage at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center, the Latino Victory Fund’s Annual Convention was held in Puerto Rico for the first time. Dozens of leaders from across the United States attended the event intended to discuss Hispanic affairs, policy, empowerment, and representation in government. The summit also brought the largest delegation of sitting lawmakers to ever jointly visit a U.S. territory, with over 30 representatives.