Are you one of the many who are anxiously counting down to the debut of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first Tony-winning hit, In the Heights? I am!
The movie adaptation of In the Heights tells the story of a rapidly gentrifying block in Washington Heights in Manhattan where the streets are filled with music and big dreams. The movie will be in theaters and streaming exclusively on HBO Max on June 11, 2021.
The reviews are in, and In the Heights is receiving accolades all around. Reviewer Matt Goldberg says, “In a time where it feels like we’re more separated than ever, not just from those who disagree with us but even our friends and family, In the Heights is a glowing celebration of how even when we forge our own path we’re never alone when we’re supported by our communities. Chu taps into that deep, earnest love of a place and the people that populate it, and then goes wild with musical numbers that make you want to get out of your seat and cheer. If ever there was a movie that demanded people get back to the theater post-pandemic, In the Heights is it.”
3 Reasons I Can’t Wait for In the Heights
- I love musicals and especially the work of Puerto Rican playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda! I can’t wait to see how Miranda creates the music, lyrics, and writing to capture and celebrate the authentic experience of our culture and stories.
- In the Heights has an all-star Latino cast, including Anthony Ramos as Usnavi, Corey Hawkins as Benny, and Melissa Barrera as Vanessa. The main cast includes Stephanie Beatriz, Jimmy Smits, Dascha Polanco, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Olga Merediz, and Leslie Grace. Lin-Manuel Miranda plays the “Piragua Guy,” who sells shaved ice in the story.
- I can’t wait for all the music and dancing! I feel that my family will be busting out their moves while we watch the musical numbers.
In the Heights will be in theaters and streaming exclusively on HBO Max on June 11, 2021.
Synopsis:
Lights up on Washington Heights…The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.
“In the Heights” fuses Lin-Manuel Miranda’s kinetic music and lyrics with director Jon M. Chu’s lively and authentic eye for storytelling to capture a world very much of its place, but universal in its experience.
“In the Heights” stars Anthony Ramos (“A Star is Born,” Broadway’s “Hamilton”), Corey Hawkins (“Straight Outta Compton,” “BlacKkKlansman”), singer/songwriter Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera (TV’s “Vida”), Olga Merediz (Broadway’s “In the Heights”), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Broadway’s “Rent”), Gregory Diaz IV (Broadway’s “Matilda the Musical”), Stephanie Beatriz (TV’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Dascha Polanco (TV’s “Orange is the New Black”) and Jimmy Smits (the “Star Wars” films).
Chu is directing the film from a screenplay by Quiara Alegría Hudes; it is based on the musical stage play, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and concept by Miranda. “In the Heights” is produced by Miranda and Hudes, together with Scott Sanders, Anthony Bregman and Mara Jacobs. David Nicksay and Kevin McCormick served as executive producers.
Behind the camera, Chu is reuniting with his “Crazy Rich Asians” production designer, Nelson Coates, and editor, Myron Kerstein. He is also collaborating with director of photography Alice Brooks (TV’s “The Walking Dead”) and costume designer Mitchell Travers (“Eighth Grade”). The choreography is by Christopher Scott, who previously teamed with Chu on the award-winning “The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers.”
“In the Heights” was filmed in New York, primarily on location in the dynamic community of Washington Heights. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.