“In The Heights” premieres on the big screen and HBO Max (includes video story)

Director Jon M. Chu has transformed Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical “In the Heights” into a movie. It premiered in theaters and began streaming on HBO Max yesterday.

The film has several South Florida ties, including Tony-nominee actress Olga Merediz, who starred in the original Broadway musical and the film adaptation.

Merediz was born in Cuba. However, like executive music producer Alex Lacamoire, she grew up in Miami. 

Lacamoire studied at the New World School of the Arts while he was in high school. He has won Tony and Grammy awards for his work on the original stage production of “In the Heights,” alongside fellow executive music producer Bill Sherman. While creating the movie, they revisited the music.

“When we knew we were doing this movie, we were like, ‘Well, it’s gotta be bigger and better and more awesome’,” said Sherman.

“In the Heights,” which premiered yesterday, also features a new group of performers. Corey Hawkins, who plays Benny, resonated with his character before getting the role because he grew up in Washington Heights, where the film is set. 

Emma Delamo is a senior FIU student majoring in Broadcast Media. She is pursuing a minor in Social Media and E-Marketing Analytics and a second minor in Global Communication. She loves journalism and has a passion for reporting local and entertainment news.