Hello everyone, how are you doing? Today I’m going to be doing a review that I’ve really been wanting too do. Around 5 weeks ago I was introduced to a new musical. It was called In The Heights. It is written by one of the most prominent musical theatre composers of our generation, Lin Manuel Miranda, who wrote the world renowned musical Hamilton. But before he wrote Hamilton he wrote In The Heights. So today i will be reviewing this musical. I hope you enjoy! If you have a favourite musical or a favourite book please reach out to me so i can listen to it or read it! I’m always interested in different things. Thank you, and enjoy!
In 2002, a 28 year old man named Lin Manuel decided to write a musical. He had just graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown Connecticut, and hadn’t been getting any work. He was originally from Puerto Rico, but he was born in Washington Heights. He had an idea. He thought it would be very interesting to write a musical about a neighbourhood that had a very large Latino following and community. What would it be like if he wrote a musical about love and loss and friendship and family inside this small rough neighbourhood . The idea of In The Heights was born. It took Lin Manuel Miranda 4 years to fully write In The Heights. But finally after years of working hard he had finally done it. He had written a musical. And what a musical it was. In The Heights had lots of well known actors and actresses including Christopher Jackson, Karen Olivia and even Lin Manuel Miranda himself playing the leading man, Usnavi. It was even part of the Tony awards. It was nominated 13 times and won four awards including Best Musical. It is a significant part of musical theatre today because it talked about a part of the New York community which wasn’t talked about.
In The Heights is about a small community of Latino and Puerto Rican people living in Washington Heights. The show has many themes like friendship, love, dreams and family, But its also about being a community and respecting each other. The leading man’s name is Usnavi and he runs a bodega in the middle of Washington Heights and is friends with everyone. But he’s low on money. He’s in debt and not making enough to support his little cousin Sonny and his Abuela (which means grandmother in Spanish). He is in love with a girl named Vanessa. Vanessa is a gorgeous, smart, intelligent young girl who works at the salon with the two mian gossipers of the community Daniela and Carla. All of the boys are completely heart-struck and in love with her. She desperately wants to move away from Washington Heights because she feels like its holding her back. Meanwhile another young woman named Nina has just come back from Standford where she was taking her college courses at. However she got expelled because of the lack of work that she was putting in. Throughout two whole days a series of experiences happen like a black pout that leaves the whole neighborhood dark, a love triangle, betrayal, and most importantly a sense of moving on and dreams.
In conclusion In The Heights is an absolutely beautiful, emotional and well curated musical that would recommend to all ages. It makes me cry, it makes me laugh it makes me feel right. All of the actors are incredibley talented and all of the songs are incredible! If you enjoy the soundtrack go onto HBO Max and watch the In The Heights movie coming out on June 11th! I’m sure it will be incredible! I hope everyone has a great day and stays safe!
Thanks for reading!
The Ellington Review 