In The Heights to Start in August?

Variety is reporting that Universal is moving forward with the film adaptation of In The Heights, with plans to start shooting in New York in August.  The film, based on the hit Broadway musical that won four Tony Awards (including Best Musical) in 2008, centers around the vibrant neighborhood of Washington Heights over a scorching July 4th weekend.

Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda will reprise his role from the stage production as Usnavi, the bodega owner whose life may change forever after his store sells a winning lottery ticket.  Universal has picked TMI writer Marc Klein to adapt the script.

Kenny Ortega, of High School Musical fame and countless other musical projects, including Michael Jackson's This Is It, is set to direct.  Coincidentally, HSM's Corbin Bleu is currently playing Usnavi in the Broadway production of In The Heights, and has been getting rave reviews.

I'm very excited for this film.  I saw the show on Broadway last year, and it's one of my favorite musicals of the last few years.  The music is fantastic (it's a mix of hip-hop, salsa, and soul music) and the cast album is still in constant rotation on my iPod.  In fact, I was just listening to it this morning.

I'm also psyched that Lin-Manuel Miranda will get to reprise his role in the film version.  That doesn't always get to happen when a Broadway show makes it to the big screen, but as the creator of the show who originated the role onstage, it's only fair and he deserves it.  I did get to see him in the show just a week before he left the cast, and he was terrific.  

Besides, you gotta love a guy who celebrates his Best Original Score Tony win by rapping his acceptance speech.

Yes, it's a musical...but it's a really good musical.  And I think it's in capable enough hands to make a great film.