BWW Book Review: IN THE HEIGHTS – Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical

In The Heights, with music and lyrics by Lin- Manuel Miranda and Book by Quara Alegria Hudes, is the first Broadway show to combine Latin and western culture.

The show is the winner of two Drama Desk Awards, a Grammy Award, and four Tony awards including Best Original Score and Best Musical.

Conceived by Miranda, In The Heights is groundbreaking in the way that it brings together two cultures, and how it represents Latin American culture in New York.

The intro to the show's book expertly takes you on the journey of the process of In The Heights. You understand the thought and feeling Miranda put into the show, and the many steps it took to get the show where it is now. The show has had incredible success, and the introduction excites you for the riveting story to come.

The book of the musical follows the lives of a series of characters that live in Washington Heights, a close-knit Latin American community in Manhattan. Their run down bodega (corner store) and salon is as close to industry as they get, but they ask for no more.

No stereotypes of violence or gangs are evident in this show, instead what we get is a real and honest portrayal of people trying to find themselves and embracing their culture. There are no guns, instead only a graffiti artist.

This script tells a story like no other. It expertly weaves Spanish dialect into the dialogue and into its lyrics. Lin-Manuel Miranda writes from experience and with a clear understanding of what it means to be Latin American.

The characters of the story are all goodhearted. You root for each and everyone one of them, and want them to achieve the goals they set out to attain. While some want to go to Stanford, and others want to provide for their family, every character has their own dream and gets the support of their community to attain it.

It is refreshing to read a story with no villains. The story's only antagonist is fear, as all characters are forced to overcome what they are afraid of to find success.

The story is one with strong morals as it helps to remind us that no obstacles are impossible to overcome, and that family comes first. In the book we see Nina's parents give up their business to pay for her to return to Stanford, Benny learn Spanish to relate to Nina's parents, and a bodega shop owner try to achieve more than a corner store. Readers will be brought back to family roots as the story makes you recognize the value of a family unit.

The catalyst of the story is Abuela Claudia, who has acted as a parent for all those living in Washington Height. She single handedly pushes people to reach their potential. She provides food, finance, and guidance for Vanessa, Nina, Usnavi, Sonny, and the others living in the community. It may seem cliche to have a character that is supposed to represent the old and wise, but Abuela Claudia is spunky and whips the kids of Washington Heights into shape. She is a force to be reckoned with.

Community is another key thing in the story as everyone's lives in intertwined and everyone comes together to support a community member. This is evident in the community's investment in Nina, as they believe that she will be the one to rise above and achieve greatness in Stanford. When she returns to Washington Heights, having given up due to lack of sufficient finances to concentrate on school work instead of working, the community comes together to support and encourage her. Not enough stories adress the importance of a community and a supportive enviroment, so that is yet another element of the book that sets it apart from others.

What cannot go unnoticed are the beautiful love stories between Usnavi and Vanessa, and Nina and Benny. There is no cliche infidelity, only genuine caring and love. Although culture gets in the way for Nina and Benny, and life goals for Usnavi and Vanessa, we see both couples overcome parents and more to be together. The romantic part of the story is not eyeroll worthy. The lovebirds are not star crossed, nor are their melodramatic factors standing in between them. The love story is honest in how characters only battle to gain courage to voice their feelings.

When Abuela Claudia dies, we see the community come together and put their differences aside. It turns out that the winning lottery ticket that Usnavi sold was hers, leaving him with a lot of money. He shares with his closest friends, and sets out to move to the Dominican Republic - except he re-evalutes his decision and opts to stay. The story is packed with morals and values, the idea that money can't buy happiness and that you can't run away from family being addition messages that are preached..

The story is happy, uplifting and heartwarming throughout. The death of Abuela Claudia provides more closure and acts as an important plot point, unlike most cases this is not a death thrown in for dramatic effect.

This story is an honest and real portrayal, and at no point accepts any stereotypes. Rather, the show strives to go beyond the stereotypes of Latin Americans. The story is one that comes form the heart, and is bound to uplift anyone who immerses himself or herself in it. With witty dialogue and lyrics, this book is for anyone who knows that family is where the heart is, and home is where family is. Above all, this book will remind you what you never accepted from your parents - that you can do anything you put your mind too, especially with the support of your loved ones behind you.

The book is sure to touch hearts and bring readers back to family roots.

In The Heights: The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical is published by The Applause Liberetto Library, and is available for order on Amazon.

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