Exclusive: Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace, Gregory Diaz IV talk ‘In The Heights’

Now playing in theaters from Warner Bros. and streaming on HBO Max is the feature adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical “In the Heights,” based on the award-winning Broadway musical of the same name. The musical won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical. The film is directed by Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians”) from a script by Quiara Alegría Hudes.

The film stars Anthony Ramos (Hamilton, A Star is Born), Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton) and Golden Globe winner Jimmy Smits (NYPD Blue), who will be playing the roles of Usnavi de la Vega, Benny and Kevin, respectively. Olga Merediz (The Place Beyond the Pines), Gregory Diaz (Broadway’s Matilda), Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera (Vida), Stephanie Beatriz(Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Dascha Polanco (Orange Is The New Black), and Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent) also star alongside Marc Anthony.

Lights up on Washington Heights...The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.

For Barrera (Starz’s Vida), singer Grace, and Diaz IV, it’s their first big screen role. Barrera plays Vanessa, fashion designer and Usnavi’s love interest. Grace plays Nina, Kevin’s daughter and Benny’s ex-girlfriend, while Diaz IV is Sonny, Usnavi’s nephew who works with him in the bodega. BlackFilmandTV.com’s Wilson Morales spoke with the trio about landing their roles and being part of this film.