"In the Heights" on Tour

If there is one musical I am aching to see it's In the Heights, the Tony award winning love letter to the urban neighborhood, Washington Heights, hometown of composer/performer Lin-Manuel Miranda. You don't need to be a New Yorker (or from the Dominican Republic) to appreciate the show's rich, energetic melodies. So, as it launches its national tour, audiences from the East to West Coast (with many stops in between) will get a chance to experience this life-affirming musical.

In a recent interview with Playbill, Miranda discussed the inspirational sources of his show. There are many similarities with It's a Wonderful Life; although there are no supernatural elements, there are angelic characters (such as the protagonist's grandmother), and several of the characters are struggling to leave the neighborhood only to discover that their life at home offers all of the personal fulfillment they have been searching for.

Broadway.com features a six minute video showing the nation touring company having a great time during the rehearsal process.