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Over the years, I have relished introducing various musicals to my daughters. However, a recurring disappointment has been the lack of diverse representation in the casts. It often feels like we see the same faces—typically white, straight, average-sized, and able-bodied actors. Take “West Side Story” as an example; how can a story about Puerto Rican immigrants and their battles with racial prejudice be authentically told with a predominantly white cast in makeup? Thankfully, Hollywood is making strides toward inclusivity, and Steven Spielberg’s upcoming remake of “West Side Story” aims to address these past casting failures. But for now, the long-awaited release of “In The Heights” offers an authentic celebration of Latinx culture.
My family was drawn in by the lively music and dynamic dance routines, but we stayed for the uplifting messages surrounding community and cultural identity. Witnessing characters that mirrored my daughters’ experiences was truly empowering. “In The Heights” boasts a vibrant cast, including Usnavi (played by Anthony Ramos), the bodega owner honoring his late parents, Nina (Leslie Grace), a first-generation college student, and Sonny (Gregory Diaz), a dreamer. Watching this film with my daughters held profound meaning because we see reflections of ourselves in these characters. While we may not know the actors personally, the stories resonate deeply as they echo our own lives and the journeys of those who immigrated to the U.S. pursuing their dreams of a better future.
This narrative is particularly poignant for us, as my husband is a first-generation Mexican-American whose family immigrated from a small village in Jalisco, Mexico, during the mid-1980s. Hearing tales from their Abuelo and Abuela is one thing, but experiencing their history on the big screen is invaluable.
One of the film’s early story arcs follows Nina and her father, Jimmy (Kevin Rosario). Nina, celebrated as the community’s “one who made it out” as a first-generation college student at Stanford, grapples with feelings of alienation in an environment where she feels she doesn’t belong. Lin-Manuel Miranda and his co-writer Quiara Alegria Hudes emphasized the importance of depicting Nina’s story, fighting against industry norms that often reduce Latinos to stereotypes of helpers or criminals. As Miranda recounted in an interview, they remained committed to telling meaningful stories that reflect the richness of Latina experiences.
Representation is crucial, particularly for my daughters who deserve to see themselves reflected in diverse roles, not just confined to traditional stereotypes. While it may seem trivial to those outside the Latinx community, it’s a significant moment for my daughters to see Latinas like them and hear the language that resonates within their Abuela’s kitchen. They are thrilled to witness their culture celebrated on screen, from Spanglish dialogue to vibrant dance sequences.
Another storyline that resonates with my daughters is Vanessa’s (Melissa Barrera) journey. An aspiring fashion designer, Vanessa dreams of breaking free from her job in a salon. She faces an internal struggle, believing that individuals from her background aren’t meant to be artists—at least not until she alters her appearance and moves to a different neighborhood. This theme of not conforming to societal expectations due to one’s origins is a conflict that persists beyond fiction.
A study by Wise Entertainment and the National Association of Latino Independent Producers highlighted the stark underrepresentation of Latino actors in leading roles, revealing that from 2007 to 2018, only three percent of the top 100 films featured Latino leads. With projections indicating that by 2045, one in four individuals in the U.S. will be Hispanic, the need for authentic representation becomes increasingly urgent. Thankfully, creators like Miranda and Hudes are tackling these issues head-on.
“In The Heights” is a film we will proudly add to our collection. It’s not just entertaining; it showcases the beautiful diversity of Latinx communities and honors cultures from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Most importantly, it delivers an empowering message to my daughters, inspiring them to embrace their identities and dreams.