NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The highly-anticipated big-screen adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit Broadway musical “In the Heights” will kick off the Tribeca Film Festival, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, will have its world premiere on the festival's opening night, June 9, at the United Palace theater in Washington Heights, where the story is set. It will also be screened simultaneously at several open-air venues across all five boroughs.
"It is such an honor to open the 20th anniversary Tribeca Film Festival with 'In the Heights.' We're so excited to welcome them uptown! This will be an unforgettable night at the United Palace. We can't wait to share this musical love letter to our community, with our community, in our community," Miranda said.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Tribeca for a city-wide takeover of In the Heights. New York, and specifically Washington Heights, is the lead character in our film-its vibrancy and energy are unmatched. How incredible that after a year of isolation, New Yorkers from across all boroughs will have an opportunity to see it first, together, and join us in the celebration of life coming back," Chu said.
"In the Heights is the quintessential New York story of hard-work, resilience, and triumph. We are proud to feature this film as Opening Night where it can debut in its hometown in celebration of its New York roots and the Latinx community," said festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal.
The film will drop in theaters and on HBO Max on June 11 and will be available on the streaming platform for 31 days from theatrical release.
It stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco, and Jimmy Smits.
The Broadway production was nominated for 13 Tony Awards and won four, including Best Musical.
The Tribeca Film Festival, which was canceled last year due to the pandemic, runs June 9-20.
The event was founded by Robert De Niro, Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center.