In the Heights is the story of three days in the life of Washington Heights, a close-knit neighborhood in upper Manhattan. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this contemporary musical will win over audiences with its sweet story and hot tunes.

Winner of the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, this energetic show features lovable characters, a hip Latin-themed score, and Tony-winning hip-hop dance moves. On the other hand, In the Heights is also very sweet and sentimental, wearing its heart on its sleeve, while maybe even bringing a tear to your eye by the end.

In the Heights concentrates on a variety of characters living in the community of Washington Heights, at the northern tip of Manhattan. In the middle of it all is Usnavi, a bodega owner who watches over the aging Cuban lady next door, longs for the gorgeous girl from the nearby beauty salon, and dreams of winning the lottery and escaping back to his native shores of the Dominican Republic. Meanwhile Nina, a childhood friend of Usnavi’s, has returned to the Heights after her first year at college with surprising news for her parents, who have spent their life savings on providing a better life for their daughter than they had themselves. Ultimately, Usnavi and the other residents of the tightly-knit neighborhood get a close look at what home really means.

The Broadway production of In the Heights began previews on February 14, 2008, with an official opening on March 9, 2008 at The Richard Rodgers Theatre. As with the off-Broadway production, the show was once again directed and choreographed by Thomas Kail and Andy Blankenbuehler, with most of the other off-Broadway principals repeating their roles as well. In the Heights has received favorable praise and reviews due to its contemporary score, youthful cast, choreography, and set design, and has been nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, including Best Musical, book and score, in addition to direction and choreography. Of the thirteen nominations, In the Heights won four awards, including best musical, original score, choreography, and orchestration.

While the street smart younger characters in the show occasionally use some profanity, In the Heights is not really any worse than an average PG-rated film. In this sugar-coated take on El Barrio there is really nothing offensive to the kids, who will more than likely appreciate the central character expressing himself in rap, thus upping the cool factor of the presentation.

Tickets for In the Heights, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York, are available so make your plans for the entire family to see this touching and telling saga of hometown values, even as told in its contemporary uptown Manhattan setting.