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You have to wait in line for tickets to Broadway’s smash-hit Hamilton, but this week Brimmer and May is kicking off its production of In the Heights, the musical sensation by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The show takes place in New York’s Washington Heights, a largely hispanic neighborhood, with residents encountering hope and struggle in the face of significant change. In 2008, the production won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestration.

The production stars Tony Ni ’16 as Benny, a non-Hispanic in love with Nina, a Puerto Rican played by Xiomara Nunez ‘16, who returns to the Heights after taking a leave from college. “In the Heights is an adventurous choice, and  I’m happy that everyone has enjoyed the entire rehearsal experience,” Ni said. “We have connected throughout the show and are ready to impact some lives,” he said.

Claudia Slifka ’16 plays Vanessa, a girl struggling to make enough money to leave the Heights and care for her alcoholic mother. Dashaun Simon ’17 also stars as Usnavi, a lovestruck immigrant who owns a grocery store.

“In the Heights is a really exciting show,” said Director Bill Jacob. “It’s written and conceived by one of the most exciting theater artists out there now. The music is really strong, the story is really strong, the script is really strong, and we have a particularly great constellation of performers who are really doing an amazing job with it.”

Musical Director Frank Van Atta echoed Jacob’s sentiments, adding that In The Heights promises to be among the best productions in the School’s history. “The show is going to be absolutely phenomenal and I invite the entire School to come and witness the fun.”

Show times are March 3 and 4 at 7 p.m., with two performances March 5 at 2 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buy your tickets today by clicking here.

– Video by Xiomara Nunez.