Sorry, Broadway fans: In The Heights, the movie adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical, will not be debuting in theaters this summer. On March 24, 2020, Miranda said on his Twitter: “With the uncertainty in our world, right now, the release of In The Heights is being postponed. When we can safely gather again, flags in hand, we will be there, enjoying this movie in theaters.”
In the Heights‘ release was originally set for June 26, 2020 in the United States. The film follows a day in the life of Usnavi de la Vega, an immigrant bodega-owner living in Washington Heights, New York City, who dreams of prosperity and leaving the city to return to his home country of the Dominican Republic. The life of Usnavi and his friends and neighbors are turned upside down when someone buys a winning lottery ticket at Usnavi’s store worth $96,000.
On Broadway, the role of Usnavi was played by Miranda himself, but for the film adaptation, he is passing the role to Anthony Ramos. Miranda will be playing a supporting role as Piragüero, the neighborhood snowcone vendor. Also joining the cast are Corey Hawkins as Benny, Leslie Grace as Nina Rosario, Melissa Barrera as Vanessa, and Olga Merediz, reprising her Broadway role as Abuela Claudia.
For those who were looking forward to the film, they’ll have to remember what Abuela Claudia always says: pacienca y fe. Patience and faith.