In the Heights
Lin-Manuel Miranda's other Tony-winning hit musical is playing Melbourne, turning Comedy Theatre into Washington Heights.
Overview
If you're in Melbourne and you're a fan of Lin-Manuel Miranda, rejoice: your next chance to enjoy the musical talent's work is on its way in 2025. Hamilton has already done the rounds, including a season in the Victorian capital. Next, it's time for another of Miranda's big Tony Award-winning shows to take to the stage locally — and his debut smash, too. Comedy Theatre is set to turn into New York City's Washington Heights for a run of In the Heights.
Initially staged in 2005, then leaping to off-Broadway in 2007, then playing Broadway from 2008–11 (which is where it nabbed those 13 Tony nominations and four wins), Miranda's first stage sensation spends its time with Usnavi, a bodega owner from the Dominican Republic who dreams of going back — and who also sports a crush on Vanessa, who aspires to move out of the neighbourhood. Miranda himself originated the role of Usnavi, scoring a Tony nomination for his efforts. In Australia for this run, which began in Sydney in 2024, Ryan Gonzalez (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) has stepped into the part.
When the show heads to Melbourne from Friday, August 1, fellow Moulin Rouge! The Musical alum Olivia Vásquez is playing Vanessa. Alongside Gonzalez, she's joined by Richard Valdez (All Together Now — The 100) as the Piragua Guy — another character that Miranda has brought to life personally, this time in the 2021 film version of In the Heights.
On the stage and on-screen, the production not only follows Usnavi and Vanessa's connection, and their respective hopes for the future, but also the residents of Washington Heights, their family ties across multiple generations and their friendships.
The soundtrack — which helped In the Heights win Best Musical and Best Original Score Tonys — as well as the vibe and mood bring together salsa, soul, rap, hip hip, merengue and street dance.
Images: Daniel Boud.
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