‘In the Heights’ may be the perfect stage-to-screen musical adaptation
I saw “In the Heights” on Broadway in the front row in 2008 after winning the ticket lottery and was absolutely blown away. I may have won a second time (it was 13 years ago; I forget things), but I was an instant fan of both the show and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Later he would go on to such amazing works as “Hamilton,” the music for “Moana” and the filmed stage performances of “Freestyle Love Supreme,” his collaborative improvised hip-hop show frequently performed after Broadway shows ended for the night. I’m a fan.
When I heard they were making “In the Heights” into a movie, I immediately had mixed feelings. Could they adapt it well enough to capture the beauty and magic of the stage show? Was it necessary or a money-grab? Then, during the lockdown, will I get to see it in a theater or will it only be available for streaming? Thankfully, we were able to see it at our local AMC theater fully vaccinated, socially distanced with masks, and I am thrilled to report that even though I cried through most of the film, it is absolutely breathtaking.
“In the Heights” is the story of Usnavi de la Vega (Anthony Ramos), a young immigrant from the Dominican Republic who owns and operates a corner bodega (convenience store) in the Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights. He’s telling children the story of why his place is called El Sueñito (Little Dream).
He introduces the audience to Abuela Claudia (Olga Merediz), the unofficial grandmother of the neighborhood; Kevin Rosario (Jimmy Smits), who owns the taxi dispatch service; his up-and-coming employee Benny (Corey Hawkins); Daniela, who owns the salon (Daphne Rubin-Vega); Nina (Leslie Grace), who’s back from Stanford after struggling through her first year; and Vanessa (Melissa Barrera), who wants nothing more than to move downtown to start her fashion design career. She also happens to be the girl Usnavi pines for, but he’s too shy to ask her out.
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