IN THE HEIGHTS

Director: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace, Corey Hawkin, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jimmy Smits, Gregory Diaz, Olga Merediz

Lights up on In the Heights – one of the best movie musicals in years. Before Lin-Manuel Miranda became a household name with Hamilton, he created the Broadway musical In the Heights. At the center of it is Usnavi, played by Anthony Ramos, who also appeared in Hamilton. He immigrated from the Dominican Republic and works at the corner bodega in the area of New York known as Washington Heights. He has big dreams of eventually moving back down to the Dominic Republic and re-opening his dad’s bar. We’re also introduced to other residents of Washington Heights who are working for the American dream. There’s Vanessa, played by Melissa Barrera, who has her eyes set on being a fashion designer. Then there’s Leslie Grace’s Nina, who is back from attending Stanford but afraid to tell everyone why she was forced to drop out.

Here’s my review

And don’t forget to check out my interviews with the cast and creative team!