Mendizabal Directs New 'In the Heights' Run at New York City Center
The musical opens for a three-week engagement as federal immigration enforcement intensifies, prompting renewed attention to the show’s themes of community and identity.
By Ayanda Boateng ·
David Mendizabal is directing a new production of 'In the Heights' at New York City Center, marking a return to the stage for a work he first saw almost twenty years ago. The limited engagement runs through November 15. Mendizabal, who described the 2008 debut as his entry point into theater, said the revival aims to showcase the depth of Latino communities.
The production arrives amid heightened federal immigration enforcement. Last month, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot a Dominican man in the neck in Manhattan while the man's five-year-old son watched. The incident sparked large protests and drew criticism from local and state officials. Mendizabal called the show a necessary source of joy in this climate.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the music and lyrics with Quiara Alegría Hudes, attended the opening night red carpet event on Wednesday. The original production won Tony Awards for best musical and best original score. Miranda stated that he is proud the work resonates with a new generation. He noted that the songs and messages remain relevant.
Jenny Gersten, the artistic director at New York City Center, selected the musical for the gala presentation after asking what would serve as a comfort for the current moment. She described the show as pure joy. The plot is set in Washington Heights, a neighborhood about thirty minutes by subway from the theater.
The new cast includes Matte Martinez as Usnavi, Ashley De La Rosa as Vanessa, and Natalie Venetia Belcon as Abuela Claudia. Ishmael Gonzalez plays Sonny. In an interview on Friday, Gonzalez said the character's rap addresses gentrification, immigration, and political racism. They described the role as representing the optimism of young Latino leaders.
Chris Jackson, who played Benny in the original Broadway cast, is connected to the new production through his wife, Veronica Vazquez-Jackson. She plays Camilla in the 2026 revival. The couple met in 2003 during an early off-Broadway staging of the show. Jackson called the new run a full circle moment that holds up the light for aspiring artists.
The musical previously enjoyed a three-year run on Broadway and was adapted into a film in 2021. Miranda told the Associated Press that the work still holds up eighteen years after its debut. He emphasized that the specific number '96,000' continues to speak to audiences.
