NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical, “In The Heights,” will get it's silver screen debut at the Tribeca Film Festival next week and tourism officials are hopeful the film will draw people to northern Manhattan.
Chris Heywood – of NYC & Company, the city’s official tourism organization – says the group has already launched a campaign to bring musical lovers to Washington Heights.
“We think it's going to be a driver of tourism and really get people out to discover a different corner of our city,” Heywood tells WCBS 880’s Marla Diamond.
Heywood says they are hoping that the movie version of “In The Heights” will attract film and musical lovers to the city, just as “Sex in the City,” “Friends” and “Seinfeld” did.
“The fact of the matter is pop culture is just a huge driver of tourism to a city, so we think with the debut of this film coming out of the pandemic, it's going to be a phenomenal time to spotlight this vibrant neighborhood and really to showcase something that maybe the normal visitor doesn't know about,” Heywood said.
Various resources are available to interested tourists at NYCgo.com, including how to see locations from “In The Heights,” such as Jayhood Wright Park and the pedestrian tunnel at the 191st subway station, where a big dance number was staged.
NYC & Company’s campaign will also look to bring people to other areas of the city with rich history, Heywood said.
“We’re trying to spotlight Latino culture, not only in Washington Heights, but throughout the entire city,” Heywood said.
“In The Heights” will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 9 and hits theaters and HBO Max on June 10.
Stay informed, stay connected — follow WCBS 880 on Facebook and Twitter. Listen live to WCBS 880 Newsradio.