Making it in New York City is tough. Few get the chance to live out their dreams, and the cast and crew of In the Heights know this all too well. This young, diverse group of relatively unknown artists and performers have dreamed of making it on Broadway, but are well aware that a new original musical set outside a bodega in the Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights is a highly risky proposition. It took eight years in all, but they succeeded beyond their wildest expectations, winning four Tony Awards along the way, including Best Musical and Best Score for a Musical. In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams chronicles the personal stories of composer/lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast of In the Heights in the months leading up to opening night.
The program premieres Wednesday, May 27 at 8 p.m. (ET) on THIRTEEN’s Great Performances on PBS HD (check local listings).
Watch a preview:
Great Performances is a production of THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG – one of America’s most prolific and respected public media providers.
For Miranda, bringing In the Heights to life began when he was a sophomore at Wesleyan College. Having grown up as a first generation American in one of the toughest neighborhoods in New York City, Miranda always struggled to find his identity and place in life. Writing about the stories, sacrifices and sounds of the people from his neighborhood was a way to share his experience. “When I saw Rent, it was the first time I’d seen a musical that took place now,” recounted Miranda. “A light bulb went off and it was like ‘oh, you can write a musical that’s about you, about your life.’ If you had told me it’d take eight years to finish [In the Heights] I probably would have been too scared to continue.”
In addition to thrilling extended performance sequences of the original cast of In the Heights onstage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway, this Great Performances program offers an intimate look at the production backstage and off-stage. Producers from @radical.media first identified the show’s potential at one of the early readings, and began filming the process shortly thereafter. This provides unprecedented access to the cast as they went through workshops, to off-Broadway, and finally to Broadway. Karen Olivo (Miranda’s on-stage love interest, who is now starring in a new version of West Side Story as “Anita”), describes her dedication to performing as more like an “addiction”; Mandy Gonzalez finds that her real life experience growing up with immigrant parents mirrors that of her character Nina; and Seth Stewart (Graffiti Pete), who has struggled to balance his love of dancing with his football career, is emotionally overwhelmed by seeing his image seven stories tall in Times Square. For Broadway veteran Priscilla Lopez (Camila), it is a journey back in time, as she recalls how her role in the original cast of A Chorus Line changed her life, while for Chris Jackson (Benny), the stakes are extremely high, as the success or failure of the show will directly impact how he can provide for his family, which includes an autistic child. These disparate stories all come together in the rehearsal hall and onstage, as the In the Heights company takes Broadway by storm with their high octane song and dance numbers.
In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams is a @radical.media production for THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG. For Great Performances, Bill O’Donnell is Series Producer, Michael Kantor (Broadway: The American Musical, Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America) is consulting producer; David Horn is Executive Producer.
Great Performances is funded by the Irene Diamond Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, Vivian Milstein, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, public television viewers, and PBS. Major funding is also provided by the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust.
[...] night, Scott and I saw an advanced screening of PBS Great Performances: “In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams” at the Paley Center. (Premiering May 27th. Check local listings for [...]
Many thanks to all who made this wonderful project possible.
Paul Bozymowski, Director.
I saw this documentary and right away could not wait to see it live. I saw the play in San Diego, CA and being a Puerto Rican from New York, this play has completely brought me home. It was inspiring and up lifting. Thank you for bringing the Latino culture to the forefront.
Les doy gracias porque con ese esfuerzo han traido esperanza a todos lo que perseguimos ese sueno.
Damm!! I missed the the advance screening of ITH Chasing Broadway Dreams, looking forward to seeing it on the 27th of this month. Lin your fabulous!!
To Paul, cast and crew. We may not get the show in Mich. but you’ve got a lot of rooters who will wait for a tape. I love this little preview.
cant wait to see everyones stories! whatsup mandy!
Can’t wait to see this when it comes to Austin. Looks great
[...] the Heights’ on PBS ‘Great Performances’ The PBS documentary In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams premieres May 27 on the PBS series Great Performances. The program includes extended performance [...]
Counting down to the 27th. Paul, I have my entire company, family & friends waiting for PBS premier.
Arizona will be watching. Cast looks great.
I went to see this show 4 times………”I”M IN LOVE!” First of all I came out crying because I couldn’t believe how on target this entire production was……I invited everyone I knew that was savvy enough to understand, and some that weren’t….. I’m breathless! I love it, I love them, and Lin if I were younger your girlfriend would get a run for her money…. Great Job!
My family and I have seen this show 5 times, and we simply adore the show, and the cast. I am so proud of you Lin,for putting it all together.You have really outdone yourself. You are definitely on top of the world. Love ya! Awesome Job !!!!
I was able to catch the magic on a trip to NY last year before the Tony Awards. The room was electric. Broadway is my heroin and In the Heights was a great trip.
can not wait!!!
from nebraska…..
during a family getaway i was honored to see this in NY by way of the lottery tickets. the dedication and pursuit for a purpose, is not only seen throughout the show, but the show itself is a testament of such inspiration. it is these kind of aspiration-hard work driven-passionate successes that give me hope. the show is amazing.
give
LOVE In The Heights!! Can’t wait to see this program on Wednesday!!
Saw this when it was off-b’way! Said this would move to B’way and win the Tony! And I was so right, it did! Loved it!
I am so eager to see the PBS Documentary.I know it will be fabulous
To my son, the Director.
I could’t be prouder. That’s my boy. I know it will be great.
Love
Dad
Da
[...] Watch Great Performances In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams. [...]
For my birthday in Nov, 2008, my daughters took me to see the play. The audience was filled of 2nd & 3rd generations Latinos & their anglo friends. The whole audience young and old were not only relating to the story but celebrating the triumph of the Spirit, no matter where you come from. In this land we all come from some where… The music is great and keeps you in tune with heart, feet & soul just like Washington Heights (NYC)!
PBS “Kudos” for including this little play that won a Tony in Great Performances showcase.”Dreams do come true”… Watch this show it will do you good…
Thank You #13, for continued recognition of excellence and the importance of Latino Arts in the Fabric of New York City’s Cultural Mosaic on Public Television.
This was the best show I have seen in years. It was incredible. I only wish I had seen Lin-Manuel Mirandi, but his replacement is also fantastic. Can not wait to see this episode of Great Performances.
[...] about the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In the Heights is captured in the new PBS documentary “In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams.” (The show airs at 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 27 on KQED Channel [...]
Houston, TX’s PBS station isn’t showing this! What gives?
CONGRAT’S I AM EAGAR TO SEE THE PBS SHOW AS I’VE READ SO MUCH ABOUT IT “GOOD LUCK” THANKS
[...] Video Clips: pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/in-the-heights-chasing-broadway-dreams/preview-of-in-the-heights-chasing… [...]
check out our review of In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams: http://www.onTVonlineReviews.com
I’ve been waiting for this show to come to Chicago! I see where there is a PBS Great Performances special. I went to local listings and looked on our WTTW channel and there is no such program at the times indicated (thursday May 27 at 1 AM, and friday May 28th at 7:30 AM) Martha Stewart is showing at that time. HOW CAN I SEE THIS REVIEW?? Will it be on the internet? Is WTTW program listing wrong? Can someone help?
Hi Judie -
We’ve put clips online but unfortunately are not able offer the full program online.
You can find performance footage here:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/in-the-heights-chasing-broadway-dreams/musical-numbers-dance-and-interviews/778/
and you can see some behind the scenes clips here:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/in-the-heights-chasing-broadway-dreams/creating-and-staging-the-musical/779/
I hope your local station decides to air the full documentary so you can see the whole thing!
unless they’ve made a change, WTTW should be airing it tonight: Wed. 5/27, 8-9pm CT
I see on their website: http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=2,2,1,2
[...] episode of Great Performances on Channel 13 is a backstage look at In the Heights. (Yeah, last year’s Tony winner for Best Musical; these documentaries take time to edit, [...]
Wow! I can’t wait to see this! I’ve wished to see this and I guess this is as close as I’ll get!
I just finished saw the chasing dreams documentary like 2 min ago and I absolutely love In The Heights! I started crying realizing how this show was everyone’s dream, especially Lin-Manuel and it would be a dream of mine to meet the original cast!!!
anyone know if this will be on again, i completley forgot till 8:45 =( .. please say it will ne
My wife and I went to see the show for her birthday. What a great gift for the two of us. This show is definitely one of the best shows on Broadway. Keep going strong. OUTSTANDING!!!!!!
Bravo!Bravo!! Just saw the play 2 May 17th…My Cousin is in the play.. wow what a fantastic cast, the story hit home for me as I’m a hispanic who grew up in NYC then moved away… This was the first time I came back “home” in 30 years.. the show brought me home.
Oh Chris… yes it will be on again, check local listings for PBS.
I just finished watching the documentary. I was enthralled. Thank you!
I just watched the documentary and I was glued to the set the whole time. I have to see this show!!!
Over the years, I have seen more than 300 shows on Broadway and “In the Heights” stands as one of the very best. Lin Manuel Miranda is a genius!
The show was spectacular.
Saw this show a couple of months ago on Broadway. This PBS show offered an amazing glimpse into a fantastic production. Can’t wait to see it again on tour next fall.
What a great performance! I am Irish-American, live in the Bronx and have seen “In The Heights” twice already (with plans to go again soon), and I can’t stop telling people to GO SEE THIS SHOW! The values and emotions it portrays ring true for all of us, no matter what our ethnic heritage is, and the music is amazing! My teenaged daughter loved the show, too, and was enthralled by the ‘behind-the scenes’ view we got tonight. Thanks PBS! And thank you, Lin-Manual Miranda, for sharing your dream with all of us…
I saw this show almost a year ago and was enthralled. We met the cast who were so very gracious – great picture of Lin with my kids. Priscilla urged my 11 year old daughter to make sure she’s a triple threat by working on the dance aspect of her dreams along with the singing and acting. I couldn’t stop thinking about the show for weeks … I’m not Latino. Not even close, but I found it SO inspiring. Can’t wait to see it when it comes here to Chicago.
We saw the program and are so proud. No boring reviews everything moved right along. Didn’t even see a camera shadow. Wish we could have seen a picture of you and your crew.
Fantastic documentary!!! I loved every minute of it. Plus, if you are ever in New York City you should definitely see the show on Broadway.
I think last night when the show aired, PBS lived to it’s full purpose: recognizing art, informing the public and inspiring the audience. I cried, my heart fluttered with excitement, and when the creator of the show said he felt like he was sitting on a cloud… I was right there with him. Thank you for your brilliant story telling of a story which is brilliantly sung.
I can’t wait to go and do something great…and I was inspired by watching this documentary on IN THE HEIGHTS.
Isaw the documentary on PBS last night and im very happy for my niece Mandy Gonzalez,keep up the good work mija,luv aunt Sylvia
I don’t even LIKE musicals, but flipped past the show on PBS last night and stuck there. Within 2 minutes my wife and I both had goosebumps all over and tears in our eyes. I want to fly to NYC TONIGHT!!
I saw In the Heights a few nights ago, and it was AMAZING. Robin DeJesus and Mandy Gonzalez are especially awesome. Only thing is, I missed this documentary because I was at another play! Does anyone know if PBS will be showing it again or posting it on their website?
Please let me know when it will air again – I just caught the last 30 minutes on WMHT and would like to see the entire showing – Than you!
I’ll be going up to spend the summer with my b.f. He’s turned me on to this musical, being tex/mex, and is excited to take me to see. Just seeing this documentary gave me these goose bumps…Can hardly wait to see your show! See you soon amigos!
Saw the performance on the Tony awards and begged my hubby to take me to NY to see it. Got my wish last week, and I’m still on a high from the performance. OUTSTANDING!!! The PBS special made me appreciate it even more. Words can’t express how amazing the show was. So glad it’s coming to LA next year.
As a Arts teacher and father of Karen Olivo, I have to ask you to repeat this program, I teach children that hope without substance, and dream without expectation. This gives them hope and expectation, they must see it. thank you
Lin-Manuel Miranda went to Wesleyan University (a selective liberal arts college in Connecticut), not Wesleyan College (which is actually an all-girls school in Georgia).
Is there any chance of this being uploaded as a full episode? I live in the UK and would love to see it.
I have seen the play 4 times, their last day off Broadway, their start on Broadway and twice with out of town family and friends.. it’s inspiring and uplifting ! Missed the documentary could both times it aired who do we need to reach out to in order to have it air again ??
traveling and missed it!! Desperately hope it will be aired again in the near future!
I missed it also – any chance it will air again?
PLEASE release this program on DVD !!! It’s a “must have”!
When will they show this documentary again on Channel 14 in NYC? I missed the premiere on May 27th.
I’m sorry. I meant to ask about the schedule for Channel 13 in NTC. I saw the preview at the Paley Ctr and it was AMAZING. Would love to watch it again if possible.
Will PBS put this online? Please do!
How could this documentary of “In the Heights” not include one of the stars of the show, Olga Merediz, who plays Abuela, the grandmother? No interview, no clips? She was nominated for a Tony and there is no mention of her? The show is great, but She is one of the Stars?
I WENT WITH MY HUSBAND TO SEE THE SHOW. I COULDN’T WAIT ,I HEARD SO MANY GOOD THINGS ABOUT IT,NEXT TIME WE COME IT’LL BE WITH OUR DAUGHTER AND THE REST OF OUR FAMILY. AGAIN I CAN’T WAIT.
Is this program going to be repeated? How do I find out when it will be shown in Toronto Canada, as your website doesn’t allow me to search since I don’t have a US postal code. Please respond.
This show is a prime example of why I want to be an actor. Is this coming out on dvd soon?
We saw this on the Boston pbs station & we’re going to NYC this weekend to see the show. It looks amazing.
Saw In the Heights a few days ago and checking website often to make sure they include San Francisco on their tour because I would LOVE to see it again!
This doc made me want to see the show even more. I love the fact that it’ll be in L.A. next year. Can’t wait. But I want to be able to show this documentary to my friends. They would love it. Will it ever get repeated? It needs to be. Half the comments are asking for it and look at how many views it has had as compared to the other shows. Give in to public demand. = )
I haven’t seen In the Heights yet but I’m hoping to for my 16th birthday, and it would be amazing if there was anyway for this show to be replayed on Channel 8 in Atlanta because unfortunatelly I missed it. I’ve followed the musical for a while and I know it’s an inspiration, so please listen to the audience and show this behind-the-scenes look again!
If you think this is a play about the real Washington Heights full of Dominican flavor, you’ll be very disappointed. In the Heights should be called In the Barrio (around E 116th ST). The Spanish Harlem where most of the population is Puerto Rican. In Washington Heights, where I have lived for more than 25 years, the bodegas, beauty salon, and cab companies are owned by Dominicans, not Puerto Ricans like in this play. To top it off, the only hope of the people in this play is a girl who gets to go to college, and guess what is her heritage? Puerto Rican. Maybe because the writer is Puerto Rican, he just wanted to continually flash the Puerto Rican flag to the audience, but believe me, there are not that many PR in Washington Heights. Don’t get me wrong. Besides the choreography, which I thought was choppy and repetitive without emphasizing the juicy bachata and merengue, the play is entertaining. However, this is not Washington Heights. Where are the Jews, police officers, the vendors selling from pastelitos to habichuela con dulce? What a pity! In the Heights wasted the chance Dominicans had to show all the flavor of their culture on Broadway. What a disappointment! Didn’t Puerto Ricans have already West Side Story? Why steal the Heights from the Dominicans?
Had a chance to see In the Heights in July and LOVED IT! I’d been wanting to see it on previous trips to NY and am very happy to see that it will be in LA next summer. To Lin & the rest of the cast and crew – fantastic job!! :)
Beautiful documentary. Very touching and you end up having a great feeling after you watch it. Congratulations on the makers! and more over of the “In the heights” cast/producers. I’m dominican and proud of it. But who cares about nationalities? I’m proud to see latinos and all immigrants make it in Broadway. You are all so talented. Keep that up!!!
Watched In The Heights when it was on and was wondering when it will be on again. I just loved it and saw the play twice. Will it be available on DVD anytime soon? Thank you,
Joan Manghisi
Maria # 71, you’re missing the point.
It’s not wether the story is 100% accurate or the trite “PR vs DR” BS, it’s about Latinos succeeding against the odds and toughing it out in the face of gentrification. The show is true GENIUS. Don’t HATE, appreciate!
OMG if could have i would have watched this over and over again i seen it when it came to st louis, mo in nov. and it was amazing!!! i love the style and the flair to it!
Will this be aired again, or does anyone have a copy of it? I’d like to see it. bbabics[at]gmail.com.
Any help is MUCH appreciated! :)
Will this be aired again, or does anyone have a copy of it? I’d really like to see it. bbabics[at]gmail.com.
Any help is MUCH APPRECIATED! :)
For comment #71…Way to thank a Puerto Rican Creator of a musical that sheds light on your Dominican people. The play is not based on 2010 Washington Heights. That is like a Puerto Rican person reviewing West Side Story and saying, “Wait! No Irish people live on the West Side”….Ridiculous! Lin-Manuel Miranda grew up in the heights and wrote about what he saw and you challenge it? The heights is not D.R. It is a Neighborhood in Manhattan where Jews gave way to Irish, Irish gave way to Greeks, Greeks gave way to Puerto Ricans and finally Puerto Ricans gave way to Dominicans. Is this so hard to understand? Maybe Lin should have used his imagination a bit more and created the same story in The Barrio and totally blocked out Dominicans and other latinos. Would you have appreciated him then? Stop being so unappreciative of people who have paved the way for Dominicans to have an easier life in NYC.
for #79 please….lay off the bullshyt. ….wash. heights would be nothing without dominicans…and no one is tryna put miranda down they just tryna shed light on the truth….u can’t make a play about washington height with a cast of mostly puerto ricans…would you make a play about puerto rico with a cast of mostly dominicans…noo right?…..please check the books there’s a reason y they call washington height..little quisqueya….and if it really was about latinos in general he would have a grater variety of latin people and music…not mostly pr things…n Puerto ricans didn’t give way to no one…Dominicans have it way harder than puerto ricans n if dominicans have been this succesful in this country it has been because of their will and hardwork not becuz of no PR people…so please don’t b talkin like dominicans owe puerto ricans anything….don’t talk shyt!….or like a dominican wouls say….no hables tanta MIERDA!!
Breezy?..Its obvious that you are a mislead child if you believe that the Puerto Ricans in NYC have nothing to do with paving the way for all Latinos that came after wards. I think Lin-Manuel Miranda did a very good job and you are simply a disgruntled, minority, with low self esteem, that either chooses not to see reality for what it is or are simply uneducated. You actually believe a part of Manhattan would be “nothing” if you people were not there. Wake up! Washington Heights was there before all of theses different elasticities were there and it would be fine without yours. Like #71 said, Jews, Irish, Italians, Greeks and Puerto Ricans were all there before Dominicans and they moved on …why don’t you do the same? Grow up or read a book..and remember every Hispanic association, Latino improvement, Spanish Organization as well as political organizations that was created in the early 1900’s, until today, that was started by a Puerto Rican has benefited your peoples progression…so appreciate and stop the hate.
Enough racial contorversy!!! When is this going to air again??? I missed it last year, and I need to see this GP. When is it playing again or going on sale to the public??
Unbelievable how these Dominicans come in here to hate on a Puerto Rican who made a choice to write about their people. Instead of a thank you they critique it with disdain. I’m glad Puerto Ricans did not do the same to a great Jewish writer in Arthur Laurents(West Side Story). I guess they have a long way to go before they understand what class is.
@breezy
You are a shame to dominicans. I am a dominican and it is just unbelievable how stupid and ignorant you are. It doesn’t matter what they call washington heights or who lives where and how many. I am a dominican who came to the states at age 5 and all through my life dominicans and puerto ricans helped each other out. Most of my friends are puerto rican and even with all that I am still proud to be a dominican and not just because I am dominican but because dominicans and puerto ricans both share one thing in common “we are all latinos”. We are all brothers. I can’t believe someone would talk the way you do after everything that has happened. Go back to your little box and stay there.
To all my dominicans and puerto ricans, much love and respeto….. “PACIENCA Y FE” as this awesome play brings out.
I would love to show this to my high school theatre students. Can I buy the program on DVD? I can’t find it in the search and see out of synch clips on YouTube. We took a group to NYC last year and saw the show. It was a replacement for Ragtime (another one of my favorites)- but WOW! Our entire group was blown away! Incredible!
Just saw the traveling version yesterday in Orange County CA. Previously it was in L.A. I was disappointed to learn that Manuel-Lin would not be in the OC production. Still, the music and dancing was fantastic! The written program said that M-L is planning on a film version of the play. Can hardly wait! Meanwhile, I’ve ordered the CD from Amazon.com.
Is this going to be available on DVD??? I really want to see It. I saw ITH in Los Angeles and Lin is a genius, and amazing Performer. Very inspiring! Again does anyone know where I can find a dvd or full video online?
Is there a DVD I can buy? I would love to see this documentary in full! I saw In The Heights on Broadway as my first show and FELL IN LOVE with the amazing story.
I watched the preview and it was really amazing . i wanna ask aslo about if there is a DVD available
I’d like to see it agaaaain
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I don’t know if anyone from the cast and production team will see this but I want to thank all of you for your amazing generosity and spirit. My wife and I were in NYC celebrating our 20th Anniversary in Sep 2008. We went primarily to see the U.S. Open but, as I’m a Broadway junkie who didn’t have the courage to pursue my dream, I convinced my wife to stroll down Broadway with me. I knew that your show was amazing and so I wanted to get my 15 yr old daughter a souvenir to bring home. The theater wasn’t open when we went by but someone from the team opened the theater for us and allowed us to purchase a shirt for my daughter. What seems like such a small act had a profound impact on my daughter. In 2009, her high school chorus went to NYC during Spring Break. She wanted so badly to see the show and was delighted when it was one of the three shows on their itinerary. They had seats in the very front of the theater and were absolutely mesmerized! Your show was the highlight of the trip. The cast members were so generous with their time following the production answering questions and signing autographs. I can’t begin to thank you for the gift you gave these children. My daughter has decided to pursue her degree in Music Education from Florida State University and will greatly impact the futures of many students. You all played a significant role in helping her reach this decision. As I said, I don’t know if any of you will ever read this but, on the slim chance, I wanted to thank you so much for the ways you are making a difference in the lives of our young people. May God bless you all!!!
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Hello,
My wife is the Magnet Drama teacher at South Miami Elementary in Miami, Florida. I saw part of the In the heights- chasing broadway dreams. The part that I saw was amazing, unfortunaely my wife was not able to watch it with me, and we were not able to see the follow performances on PBS. I have been trying every way I know to purchase a DVD of the show, no luck so far. You are my last chance, because I would like to give it to my wife as a birthday gift. She is dyeing to show the DVD to her students, especially since to went to college with Carlos Gomez who was in the original production of the show. Look forward to hearing from you soon!!!!!
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Tom Tancrado suggested that but of course he was again called a RACIST.