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In the Heights
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Lin-Manuel Miranda is a Tony Award®-winning composer-lyricist and the original star of Broadway’s IN THE HEIGHTS. In 2008, he won the Tony for Best Musical and was a nominee for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for the role of Usnavi. It was a good year for him; as he went on to win the Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album. And if that weren’t enough, his innovative hit rap-n-roll musical of contemporary proportions also garnered nine Drama Desk Nominations, “Outstanding Ensemble Performance” the Outer Critics Circle Award, and an Obie Award for “Outstanding Music and Lyrics”. Earlier this year, Miranda performed for President Obama and the First Family at the White House for it’s first-ever Poetry Jam.

His jewel, In The Heights is a universal story about a vibrant community located on an intersection in New York's upper Manhattan’s, Washington Heights. The interwoven businesses include a car rental company, beauty parlor and convenience store. All are mom and pop businesses, but because of the bad economy they are struggling to stay afloat and provide for their families. One of the relationships Usnavi has built over time is with Claudia; she becomes just like an Abuela (Grandmother). When her health takes a turn for the worse, she bestows her hidden lottery winnings to him; knowing he will use the money wisely. He decides to close down his store and move to the coast in the Dominican Republic. While saying farewell to his neighbors, he struggles with the decision of whether to retire, move and live the good life or to stay with his chosen family and save his old neighborhood.

Miranda decided to reprise the role with the new cast, in part, to tune-up the character in preparation for the Universal Pictures feature film adaptation of the stage musical. Fans of television's “House” will remember Lin-Manuel's acclaimed performance in the 2009 season-opener, "Broken," in which he played Juan "Alvie" Alvarez,  Dr. House's roommate and unlikely confidant while undergoing detox treatment at Mayfield Psychiatric Hospital.  Other film and television credits include The Electric Company, Sesame Street, The Sopranos and the Sex and the City movie. I recently had the opportunity to ask Lin-Manuel Miranda a few questions about his life, career and In The Heights. . .

Tony Reverditto: When did you first become interested in the performing arts?
Lin-Manuel Miranda: I cannot remember a time when I wasn't. My parents collected cast albums, and I started doing school plays in 6th grade. But I was putting on shows in my room, the living room, the kitchen, for as long as I can remember!

TR: What was your inspiration for the story?

LMM: The story came around as the result of many years of work with Quiara Hudes, our book writer, and Thomas Kail, our director. The inspiration for writing my initial draft came from wanting to write a full-length musical, and trying to incorporate the music I'd grown up listening to as integral elements in the score.

TR: What was it like to win the Tony Award?

LMM: There's no way to put it into words that doesn't sound like a cliche. It was surreal, enormously validating, and humbling at the same time.

TR: Why did you decide to re-join the cast at the Pantages?

LMM: Frankly, I'd been itching to play with this cast since we originally cast them. They really are their own family, and have energy completely their own, separate from the Broadway Company. I wanted to plug into that and be a part of it, and I wanted to get my chops back up . . . I haven't done the show for a year and a half.

TR: What is the most important message that you want people to take from the show?
LMM: People are going to get what they're going to get. The joy for me comes from those telling me that they felt like they were seeing their family or their own story up there on that stage. I'm always amazed by that.

TR: What is next for you?

LMM: I'm working on a new Broadway musical, Bring It On with Tom Kitt and Amanda Green. We will workshop the piece in September and I'm also working on a hip-hop album. We're also busy with the screenplay of the movie version of Heights, which Kenny Ortega is directing. And the very next thing I’m going to do; is go to Trader Joe's to buy some snacks.

In this role, Miranda jubilantly bounds across the stage, tossing out complex-rhymed-verse, better known as rap. He is surrounded by a talented cast and crew, accompanied by an incredible orchestra. The ultra-successful production is running simultaneously on Broadway while celebrating its southern California premiere engagement. Runs through July 25 at The Pantages, 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood. Tickets: 800.982.2787, Box Office, Ticketmaster or HYPERLINK "http://www.BroadwayLA.org" www.BroadwayLA.org

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