Director David Mendizábal says “In the Heights” revival brings “a balm of joy” at New York City Center

The Story

David Mendizábal, who previously experienced Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights” as a landmark work, is now directing the musical at the New York City Center for a limited three-week run through Nov. 15.

Mendizábal recalled seeing the 2008 musical for the first time and said it was “the first time I’d ever heard or seen a world that looked and sounded like mine on an American stage.” He described the revival as important at this moment because it shows the “depth and breadth” of Latino communities, adding, “I think in this particular moment we need a great balm of joy, and this show brings that.”

The musical, set in Washington Heights, follows three simmering summer days in the lives of characters in the predominantly Latino neighbourhood, including bodega-boy Usnavi, storefront salon neighbour Vanessa, and the block’s beloved matriarch Abuela Claudia.

The original production, which debuted in 2008, won four Tony Awards, including best musical and best original score. Miranda, who also starred in the original production, said he was “really proud of the work Quiara and I did to make it speak across generations” and that “this generation is picking up the mantle is incredibly meaningful.”

New York City Center vice president and artistic director Jenny Gersten said she considered “what would be a good balm for these times?” before deciding on “In the Heights,” describing it as “pure joy.” The show’s high-energy reggaeton romance is set about a 30-minute subway ride from the City Center, according to the production description.

The revival’s timing is also tied to the backdrop of federal immigration enforcement operations affecting families like those portrayed in the musical. The text describes an operation in Manhattan last month that involved a Dominican national who was shot in the neck by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, with his five-year-old son present, leading to protests and condemnation from local and state elected officials.

Miranda said the show’s messages are “more relevant than ever,” noting that “The songs still hit,” “Sonny’s rap is more relevant than ever,” and “it’s still speaking to people,” referring to the Act 1 anthem “96,000.”

In the 2026 revival, Ishmael Gonzalez plays Sonny and said, “Sonny’s talking about gentrification, he’s talking about immigration, he’s talking about the racism within politics.” Using they/them pronouns, Gonzalez added that in some ways “Sonny’s rap feels like the most present part of the show, the most present to the moment we’re living in,” and described the character as symbolizing the “unwavering optimism” of young Latino leaders.

Gonzalez said, “We are here, and we are a part of this country and this world. Our labor and our love upholds the spine of this country.”

The text also describes a connection between original and revival cast members. It says Chris Jackson, who portrayed Benny in the original Broadway cast, is now connected through his wife, actress Veronica Vazquez-Jackson, who is playing Camilla in the 2026 revival. Jackson told the City Center gala audience, “It’s a full circle moment of ways I can’t express,” and said, “We are literally holding the light on for so many that still aspire to be a part of this society, in our country, in our culture, and also not forgetting who they are.”