In the Heights's Glorious (and Queer) First 8 Minutes Is Available Now

It's just a few days until the long-anticipated big-screen version of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical In the Heights drops in theaters and on HBO MAX. Now, the first eight minutes of the film, including the glorious "In the Heights" opening production number, are available to view.

The film from Crazy Rich Asians director John Chu, tells the story of community in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. While some of the residents dream of things beyond their world, others couldn't imagine life outside of the barrio, where everyone knows everyone. A film that celebrates Latinx people and the Golden Age of the movie musical, the story also now a woman-loving-woman couple played by Daphne Rubin-Vega (Daniela) and Stephanie Beatriz (Carla). The characters weren't a couple in the original Broadway musical when it premiered in 2008.

In the Heights stars Anthony Ramos as Usnavi, a bodega owner who dreams of returning to the Dominican Republican where his father ran an oceanside business. His true love is Vanessa (Vida's Melissa Barrera) who has designs on moving downtown to become a superstar in the fashion world. Leslie Grace plays Nina, who's just returned from her first year at Stanford, while Corey Hawkins plays her love interest Benny, the best dispatcher at her dad Kevin's (Jimmy Smits) fledgling (due to gentrification) taxi company.

At the hub of the community is Daniela's salon where the relationship between Daniela and Carla is seamlessly incorporated into the world of In the Heights.

The film also stars Miranda, Orange Is the New Black's Dascha Polanco, Olga Merediz, Gregory Diaz IV, and Marc Anthony.

In the Heights, originally slated for release last summer, is out in theaters and on HBO Max on June 10.