Dreams, Gentrification, and Identity: ‘In the Heights’ by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘In the Heights’ is more than a musical—it’s a love letter to community, culture, and the small dreams that keep people going in the face of big challenges. Set in the predominantly Latinx neighbourhood of Washington Heights, the story pulses with music, dance, and vibrant characters, but beneath the celebration lies a sharp reflection on the real-life issues of displacement, assimilation, and identity. At its core, ‘In the Heights’ is about finding home—whether it’s a place, a person, or a dream.
The ‘Sueñito’: Big Meaning in Small Dreams
The idea of the ‘sueñito’—a ‘little dream’—is woven throughout the musical. Usnavi, the bodega owner and narrator, dreams of returning to the Dominican Republic to rebuild his father’s legacy. Nina, the neighbourhood’s brightest hope, carries her community’s expectations as she navigates the challenges of being a first-generation college student at Stanford. Benny, who works at Nina’s father’s taxi dispatch, dreams of running his own business. Each character’s sueñito reflects a different kind of hope: to escape, to succeed, to belong.
These dreams aren’t about fame or fortune—they’re about survival, dignity, and legacy. ‘In the Heights’ doesn’t romanticize the immigrant struggle; instead, it highlights how dreams, even the small ones, are lifelines that give people a reason to stay, to fight, or to leave.
Gentrification: The Disappearing Neighbourhood
While the musical is filled with joy and community spirit, it also paints a subtle but powerful picture of a neighbourhood under threat. Rent is rising. Local businesses are shutting down. People are being priced out of the homes they’ve known their whole lives. In the background of the dancing and laughter is a slow erosion of place—what happens when a community gets pushed out by wealthier outsiders and rising real estate values.
Characters like Daniela, who owns the salon, are forced to move the business out of the neighbourhood due to rent increases. This mirrors the real-life gentrification in Washington Heights and other urban areas, where longtime residents are displaced as the cost of living rises. The musical asks: What happens to a culture when the corner store, the block party, and the people who made the neighbourhood are no longer there?
Assimilation vs. Heritage: The Struggle for Identity
Identity is another major theme running through ‘In the Heights’. Many of the characters are navigating what it means to be Latinx in America—especially the second-generation kids who are trying to balance their family’s heritage with the pressures of fitting into a broader, often white-dominated, society.
Nina is a perfect example. On the surface, she’s a success story: the first in her family to go to college. But she feels alienated at Stanford and overwhelmed by the weight of her community’s hopes. She questions whether she belongs in either world. For Nina, assimilation comes at the cost of connection, and her story becomes a reflection of the emotional toll many first-gen students face.
The use of Spanish and English in the dialogue and lyrics also mirrors this identity struggle. Characters switch languages fluidly, reflecting the dual identities they carry—one rooted in tradition, the other shaped by a new homeland.
Community as a Form of Resistance
Despite the challenges, ‘In the Heights’ is ultimately about resilience. Community is portrayed not just as a backdrop but as a character itself—a living, breathing force that offers strength in hard times. When tragedy hits, the neighbourhood comes together. When dreams are deferred, friends lift each other up. The message is clear: survival is collective.
From the ‘Abuela Claudias’ who keep traditions alive to the bodegas and beauty salons that serve as cultural hubs, every element in ‘In the Heights’ highlights how tight-knit communities hold on—even when the world around them changes.
The Power of Telling Our Own Stories
‘In the Heights’ isn’t just a story about a Latinx neighbourhood—it’s a story for Latinx communities, told by someone who grew up in one. It’s a musical that shines a light on the often-overlooked experiences of working-class immigrants and their children, portraying their struggles and dreams with dignity, humour, and heart.
By centering voices that are usually pushed to the margins, Miranda’s musical reminds us that everyone’s story matters—and that the fight to keep your community, your culture, and your dreams alive is a story worth telling.
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—Silviya.Y
