Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda surprised fans on Wednesday when he took the stage to raffle off tickets to the hit show.

LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA RAFFLES OFF HAMILTON TICKETS

An estimated 2,500 people showed up to the raffle, which offered 40 tickets to the sold out Los Angeles show for just $10 each. Many were more excited to get a chance to see Miranda, the show’s composer, lyricist, and original Alexander Hamilton. He also attended the opening of the show at LA’s Hollywood Pantages Theatre.

The excited crowd sang tunes from the show together in anticipation. When Miranda jumped out around 1 pm, he introduced the show’s musical director Alex Lacamoire and cast members Joshua Henry, Rory O’Malley, Julia Harriman, and Michael Luwoye. They then burst into a California-themed medley of songs, including “California Deamin'” and “California Girls.”

Miranda is a big proponent of charitable giving, especially now to immigrant families. He offered a contest where winners would get two free tickets plus VIP passes to the LA opening night and afterparty, along with free airfare and hotels. In order to enter, each contestant just had to donate $10 to the Immigrants: We Get the Job Done Coalition.

“What are we benefiting this time with this Prizeo contest?” he asked in a Twitter video promoting the contest. “It’s Immigration Heritage Month. We’re gonna help them fight the good fight.”

Beyond that, the composer also challenged fans to post a video of themselves singing a song from Hamilton to Twitter, and to make donations to the coalition. The contest, of course, has now closed, as opening night occurred this week. The 11-time Tony winning musical will continue its national tour at the Pantages Theatre through Dec. 30 before moving on to San Diego on Jan. 6. The tour is slated to run through at least 2019.

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