In the Heights

A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

In the Heights

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  6w, 6m plus ensemble

Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes
Conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda

In the vibrant New York City neighbourhood of Washington Heights, bodega owner Usnavi and his friends dream, hope and work for a bright future.

Image: 2008 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 6m plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2008 Tony Award, Best Musical
    Winner! 2008 Tony Award, Best Original Score
    Winner! 2008 Tony Award, Best Orchestrations
    Nominee: Thirteen 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical
    Winner! Two 2007 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical
    Nominee: Nine 2007 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Music & Lyrics
    Nominee: 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
In the Heights

Details

Summary

Please note: In the Heights celebrates, uplifts and amplifies a Latinx community in New York City. To honour the authors’ vision and to tell that story clearly and appropriately, the roles should be cast accordingly.

Company members must match the character definitions as written in the script, descriptions of which can be found in the CAST LIST tab.

This musical tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighbourhood - a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.

In the Heights celebrates, uplifts and amplifies a Latinx community in New York City. To honour the authors’ vision and to clearly and appropriately tell that story, the roles should be cast accordingly. Company members must match the character definitions as written in the script.

PRINCIPALS
3 Women
3 Men

FEATURED
3 Women
3 Men

CHARACTERS
Usnavi de la Vega – Owner of De La Vega Bodega, Latino (A2-A4)
Nina Rosario – A freshman at Stanford University, Latina (F3-F5)
Kevin Rosario – Nina's father, owner of Rosario's Car Service, Latino (A2-F4)
Camila Rosario – Nina's mother, co-owner of Rosario's, Latina (G3-E5)
Benny – Employee of Rosario's, African-American (B2-A4)
Vanessa – Works at the salon, Latina (F#3-F5)
Sonny – Usnavi's cousin, Latino (D3-B4)
Abuela Claudia – Raised Usnavi, though not his blood grandmother, Latina (Eb3-E5)
Daniela – Owner of Daniela's Salon, Latina (F3-E5)
Carla – Works at the salon, Latina (F3-E5)
Graffiti Pete – An artist
Piragüero (Piragua Guy) – Scrapes piraguas from his block of ice, Latino (D3-A4)

ENSEMBLE: 5 Women, 6 Men

  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day
  • Setting Washington Heights, New York City. Three days in July.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“An exuberant, animated shrine to the importance of family ties and being faithful to where you come from.” – Ben Brantley, The New York Times

“A groundbreaking 21st-century musical. This extraordinary blend of old and new pushes the sound of Broadway even deeper into fresh territory. It's one of the most satisying musicals in years.” – Jeremy McCarter, New York Magazine

“The future of the Broadway musical has been restored by a single show and the remarkable young man who created it. It's a show for the ages – all ages... There's magic In the Heights.” – Sandy Kenyon, ABC-TV

“A big, pulsing power-surge of a show, igniting a new energy source for musical theatre. For all the freshness of sound, the show stands firmly – even proudly – in the tradition of the theatre. This upper West Side Story has roots back to Fiddler on the Roof.” – Linda Winer, Newsday

“One of the most polished and exuberant musicals now on Broadway, with bursting energy. A nonstop musical with enough dancing to wear out the choreographer, and songs that range from breathless compositions to lovely ballads. If you have any rhythm in your heart, you shouldn't miss it.” – David Richardson, WOR Radio

“A destination well worth traveling to. Joyous, tantalizingly atmospheric, with sexy, hip-swaying choreography, and spice swirling through its liveliness.” – Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press

“An infectious celebration with a dynamic, toe-tapping score, a terrific, truly winning cast and some of the most spirited dancing on Broadway! This buoyant musical also nods reverently to the traditions of the show tune.” – David Rooney, Variety

In the Heights represents change on Broadway: It's contemporary, heartfelt, and full of hope.” – Richard Zoglin, Time

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

In The Heights: 15 Facts for 15 Years
by Robin Pomatto

Videos

  • In The Heights Tony Award Performance youtube thumbnail

    In The Heights Tony Award Performance

  • In the Heights - The Club youtube thumbnail

    In the Heights - The Club

  • In the Heights - Paciencia Y Fe youtube thumbnail

    In the Heights - Paciencia Y Fe

Photos

  • In the Heights

    Image: 2008 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • In the Heights

    Image: 2008 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • In the Heights

    Image: 2008 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • In the Heights

    Image: 2008 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • In the Heights

    Image: 2008 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • In the Heights

    Image: © Justin “Squigs” Robertson

Show more +

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. “In the Heights” – Usnavi, Company
1A. Back to Work – Instrumental
1B. Nina’s Theme – Instrumental
2. “Respira (Breathe)” – Nina, Company
2A. To the Dispatch!”– Instrumental
3. “Benny's Dispatch” – Benny, Nina
3A. “¡Ai, Qué Calor!” – Ensemble
3B. This Isn’t Social Hours! – Instrumental
4. “It Won't Be Long Now” – Vanessa, Usnavi, Sonny
4A. Return to the Dispatch – Instrumental
5. “Inútil (Useless)” – Kevin
5A. Usnavi’s Dance Lesson – Instrumental
6. “No Me Diga” – Daniela, Carla, Vanessa, Nina
6A. What Up? – Instrumental
7. “96,000” – Usnavi, Benny, Sonny, Vanessa, Daniela, Carla, Company
7A. 96,000 Playoff/Abuela’s Transition – Instrumental
8. “Paciencia y Fe (Patience and Faith)” – Abuela Claudia, Company
8A. Time Lapse – Instrumental
9. “When You're Home” – Nina, Benny, Company
10. “Piragua” – Piragua Guy
11. Siempre (Always) – Instrumental
12. “The Club” – Company
13. “Blackout” – Company

Act II

14. “Sunrise” – Nina, Benny, Ensemble
14A. Aftermath – Instrumental
14B. Nina’s Gone – Instrumental
15. “Hundreds Of Stories” – Abuela Claudia, Usnavi
15A. Nina Comes Home – Instrumental
16. “Enough” – Camila
16A. “Powerless” – Ensemble
17. “Carnaval Del Barrio” – Daniela, Company
17A. Alza la Bandera – Instrumental
18. “Atención” – Kevin
19. “Alabanza” – Usnavi, Nina, Company
20. “Everything I Know” – Nina
21. “No Me Diga (Reprise) ” – Daniela, Carla, Vanessa
21A. “Piragua (Reprise)” – Piragua Guy
22. “Champagne” – Vanessa, Usnavi
22A. Too Late – Instrumental
23. “When The Sun Goes Down” – Nina, Benny
23A. Sonny’s Proposition – Instrumental
24. “Finale” – Usnavi, Company
25. Bows/Exit Music – Instrumental

  • Musical Style Contemporary Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!
13-Piece Broadway:
25   Libretto-Vocal Book
1   Piano-Vocal (rehearsal)

1   Reed 1 – Flute, Piccolo [preferably wooden], Soprano Sax, Alto Sax & Tenor Sax
1   Reed 2 – Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax & Baritone Sax
1   Trumpet 1 – doubling Flügelhorn & Piccolo Trumpet
1   Trumpet 2 – doubling Flügelhorn
1   Trombone 1
1   Trombone 2
1   Keyboard 1-Conductor (performance)
1   Keyboard 2
1   Bass – Electric & Fretless
1   Guitar – Nylon Acoustic, Steel Acoustic, Electric, Tres
1   Drums (1 player) – Kit, Triangle, Metal Guiro, Timbales, Maracas, China Cymbal, Piccolo Snare, Soprano Snare, Shaker, Small Shaker, Cha Bell, Mark Tree, Wood Block, Small Wood Block, Repinique, Jam Block, Roto-Toms
2   Percussion (2 players) – Bongos, Congas, Surdo, Floor Tom, Timbales, Djembe, Concert Bass Drum, Cajón, Suspended Cymbal (2), China Cymbal, Crash Cymbal, Ride Cymbal, Shaker, Heavy Shaker, Big Shaker, Medium Shaker, Small Shaker, Teeny Shaker, Samba Shaker, Hip-Hop Shaker, One Shot Shaker, Cloth Shaker, Small Cloth Shaker, Egg Shaker, LP Cocktail Shaker, Liso Shaker, Metal Guiro, Wooden Guiro, Maracas, Caxixi, Small Caxixi (2), Cabasa, Claves, Hip-Hop Claves, Latin Claves, Large Wood Block, Medium Wood Block, Small Wood Block, Tiny Wood Block, Granite Block, Triangle, Large Triangle, Small Triangle, Triangle (Miller Block), Finger Cymbals, Castanets, Jingle Bells, Agogo Bells, Cowbell (Campana/Bongo Bell), Wooden Bell, Tam-Tam, Tambourine, Samba Whistle, Wind Chines, Mark Tree, Vibraslap, Timpani, Vibraphone, Chimes (only 2 notes: D and A)

9-Piece Tour:
25   Libretto-Vocal Book
1   Piano-Vocal (rehearsal)

1   Reed – Flute, Piccolo [preferably wooden], Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax & Baritone Sax
1   Trumpet – doubling Flügelhorn & Piccolo Trumpet
1   Trombone
1   Keyboard 1-Conductor (performance)
1   Keyboard 2
1   Guitar – Nylon Acoustic, Steel Acoustic, Electric & Tres
1   Bass – Electric & Fretless
1   Drums (1 player) – Kit, Timbales, Roto-Toms, Repinique, Piccolo Snare, Soprano Snare, China Cymbal Shaker, Small Shaker, Cloth Shaker, One Shot Shaker, Maracas, Metal Guiro, Wood Block, Small Wood Block, Clave Block, Jam Block, Granite Block, Cha Bell, Cowbell (Campana/Bongo Bell), Triangle, Mark Tree
1   Percussion (1 player) – Bongos, Congas, Surdo, Floor Tom, Djembe, Concert Bass Drum, Cajón, Suspended Cymbal (2), China Cymbal, Crash Cymbal, Ride Cymbal, Shaker, Heavy Shaker, Medium Shaker, Teeny Shaker, Samba Shaker, Hip-Hop Shaker, One Shot Shaker, Egg Shaker, Liso Shaker, Maracas, Caxixi, Small Caxixi (2), Cabasa, Claves, Hip-Hop Claves, Large Wood Block, Medium Wood Block, Small Wood Block, Tiny Wood Block, Granite Block, Triangle, Large Triangle, Small Triangle, Triangle (Miller Block), Finger Cymbals, Castanets, Jingle Bells, Cowbell (Campana/Bongo Bell), Wooden Bell, Tam-Tam, Tambourine, Samba Whistle, Wind Chines, Mark Tree, Vibraslap, Timpani, Vibraphone, Chimes (only 2 notes: D and A)

A full score is available for this title for both orchestrations for an additional fee. Please contact your licensing representative for additional information.
Piano Only:
25   Libretto-Vocal Book
1   Piano-Vocal

Authors

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy and Tony award-winning songwriter, actor and director. He is the creator and original star of Broadway’s Tony-winning Hamilton and In the Heights. His additional Broadway credits include Freestyle Love Supreme (2020 Special ...

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Quiara Alegría Hudes

Quiara Alegrí­a Hudes is a playwright, professor of writing and theater at Wesleyan University, and native of West Philly, U.S.A. Hailed for her work's exuberance, intellectual rigor, and rich imagination, her plays and musicals have been performed around the world. They are: ...
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