Diversity In Musical Theater

Musical theater and entertainment have been an ever-changing enterprise that, until very recently, included little diversity. In March of 2008, a new musical was presented on Broadway. It was titled In the Heights. This new musical featured something never before seen in musical theater: the songs are primarily latino rap. It was a bold step down a path no one had taken before. The story takes places in a poor neighborhood in New York called Washington Heights. Those living there are immigrants from hispanic and latino countries, such as Puerto Rico and The Dominican Republic. This new musical was written by composer, rapper, and actor Lin Manuel Miranda. Miranda starred as the main character, Usnavi. He composed all of the music, rap, and lyrics for the show. At a performance in the White House for president
Musical theater has never truly been a diverse enterprise. Before Miranda wrote his shows, diversity had never been prevalent and styles of music in theater had never featured rap so heavily. Miranda was the first to reach out to different cultures and create stories that shadowed around true experiences immigrants to America have. Racial tension has been running high this past decade. Media, Police, and Politics have all played a major role in the raising of racial tension. Discrimination that has always been underlying in the media and the clear lack of diversity in the televised and produced world was becoming imminent to many. These people chose to stand up for their beliefs and thus an era of racial violence began in America. Most who played any kind of role in the creation of the government were white and male. Regardless, Miranda chose to retell the story of Alexander Hamilton involving women, people of various races, and sexual orientations. He introduces diversity never seen before into the media. Miranda is redefining the rules of