You have probably heard of the massive popularity and success of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit, Hamilton. His hip-hop-infused modern take on the founding of America as a nation took the world by storm. However, Hamilton was not Lin’s first hit. No, before Hamilton, there was another Tony-award winning musical written by and starring Lin-Manuel Miranda: In The Heights.
Source: https://variety.com/2019/legit/news/lin-manuel-miranda-in-the-heights-jon-m-chu-1203433967/
If you’re not familiar with the storyline, In The Heights centers around a neighborhood in New York called Washington Heights. The lead character, Usnavi, struggles financially as he tries to make his dreams come true, the same as all of his family and friends who also create an amazing story. The musical is about family, dreams, love, and the bustling nature of Latinx culture.
In The Heights is personally my favorite musical of all time. It was maybe the first time that I could look at something and see myself reflected in it (other than Hairspray). I could see my family and my culture and my dreams all up on stage.
And now, I can see it on screen in June 2020.
Yes, In The Heights is coming to theaters and I can hardly wait!
It is directed by Jon M. Chu, most widely known as the director of the wildly successful Crazy Rich Asians (2018). And now Chu takes on another universe of singing, dancing, and Spanish. I am personally excited to see how he translates this Broadway hit to the big screen.
Anthony Ramos will be starring as Usnavi. He was apart of the Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and now we get to see him take over Lin’s role as Usnavi.
https://ew.com/movies/2018/10/10/anthony-ramos-in-talks-to-lead-in-the-heights-movie
The film also features Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), amazing latin popstar Leslie Grace, Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent), Marc Anthony, Olga Merediz (OBC of In The Heights), and Lin-Manuel Miranda. There are so many others who will be bringing my favorite characters to life on-screen who have yet to prove themselves to the world.
I, for one, have never been more excited to see a movie. My excitement for Wonder Woman 1984 probably matches this, but In The Heights is something that has never hit the big screen before. Based on the trailer that came out in Decemer, it seems like the movie will touch upon topics like modern immigrants in the United States today and things like the Dreamers movement. I already know I will be crying throughout the entirety of the film and I hope this is enough to get you excited. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/U0CL-ZSuCrQ
If you haven’t given the cast album a listen, you have a few more months to listen before the movie releases.
Don’t miss out!