An overwhelming smash success on Broadway, musical theatre production Hamilton swept the Tony awards tonight with eleven wins, not to mention already having scored a freaking Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It's safe to say that the man behind the phenomenon, Lin-Manuel Miranda is a creator to watch. And lucky for us, Hamilton is not Miranda's first successful musical. His first Broadway production, In the Heights, (which I got to see on Broadway - twice!) has been performed on stages the world over.
Now it's coming to cinemas and I couldn't be more excited.
Now it's coming to cinemas and I couldn't be more excited.
Photo Credit: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times
In the Heights centers on a variety of characters living in the neighborhood of Washington Heights, on the northern tip of Manhattan. At the center of the show is Usnavi, a bodega owner who looks after the aging Cuban lady next door, pines for the gorgeous girl working in the neighboring beauty salon and dreams of winning the lottery and escaping to the shores of his native Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Nina, a childhood friend of Usnavi’s, has returned to the neighborhood from her first year at college with surprising news for her parents, who have spent their life savings on building a better life for their daughter. Ultimately, Usnavi and the residents of the close-knit neighborhood get a dose of what it means to be home.
Though just an Australian, suburban white girl, In the Heights touched a nerve inside about making family out of friends, shared histories and embracing your culture, and of how much parents will do for their children if only they will ask. It's something I've dreamed of sharing with loved ones for eight years, but, just as I imagine the adoring fans of Hamilton experience, the magic simply can't be explained. The music is rap and latin, the characters complicated and nuanced, and the multi-layered plot will make you laugh, swoon and yes, be warned, cry.
I just hope the motion picture can do it justice. There are no release dates set, as yet, but it can be safely assumed that the wait will be until 2018, if not 2019. I'll just keep listening to the soundtrack in the meantime.
I just hope the motion picture can do it justice. There are no release dates set, as yet, but it can be safely assumed that the wait will be until 2018, if not 2019. I'll just keep listening to the soundtrack in the meantime.
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