James Corden recruited Hamilton creator-starLin-Manuel Mirandato join his Crosswalk theater production of 1967 rock musical Hair, stagedat an L.A. traffic light on Thursdays Late Late Show.
Despite being only vaguely familiar with the plays story (Its hippie culture, he said. I think theres a war. Or theres been a war.) and wildly jealous of Mirandas Broadway success, Corden led his small cast through the productions most famous songs.
Before the ramshackle musical, Corden hyped up his crew by introducing an enthused Miranda. In a lot of ways, I feel like everything Ive ever done has been leading up to this moment, the performer gushed. In the seven years I was writing Hamilton, all I could think was, This is big enough. I might get on the crosswalk. And now its happened.
After a bizarre parking lot rehearsal in which Corden suggested, to no avail, that they get in the Sixties mindset with a group orgy they hit the streets, timing each song during traffic stops as commuters honked their horns in annoyance.
Despite the objections of CBS and the state of California, Miranda and Corden got into character by stripping down for a nude rendition of the 5th Dimensions signature single, The Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.
A wide-eyed Miranda ended the segment by praising Cordens vision. When its a red light for the cars, he said, its a green light for my soul.