In the Heights - From Stage to Screen

Adapting stage musicals for the cinema is an often tricky process and “In the Heights,” the latest adaption from Broadway phenom Lin Manuel Miranda, was no different. Director Jon Chu certainly did not shy away from the epic scale of the theatre production, if anything he made it even grander, which (as you might’ve guessed) had a number of unique challenges. Primarily, how did they manage to capture the immediacy of the live musical performances and still make it both cinematic and fresh?

The production tapped music supervisor Steven Gizicki, who had previously worked on the very successful “La La Land,” as well as Miranda’s long time collaborator (and former roommate), Bill Sherman, to once again act as music producer, having worked on the stage show since the earliest stages. We recently sat down with Bill and Steven to discuss their process, and it was eye-opening. If you think you know how modern movie musicals are recorded, you may be surprised to learn what all went into making “In the Heights.”