Film adaptation of 'Heights' planned

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Hollywood's Universal Pictures Friday announced that it has acquired the rights to produce a feature film based on the stage musical "In The Heights."

The Tony Award-winning musical's original Broadway producers -- Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman -- will executive produce and Quiara Alegria Hudes, who wrote the Tony-nominated book for the show, will be writing the screen adaptation for the film.

"Set over three days in the upper Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights, 'In The Heights' is an exhilarating musical journey into one of New York's most vibrant communities, where the lives of three generations come together in an unforgettable story of hope and self-discovery," the studio said in a news release.

"'In The Heights' is a musical rich with storyline and characters that transcend the setting in which they are cast to entertain and speak to audiences from all walks of life," Donna Langley, president of production for Universal Pictures, said in a statement. "We are thrilled to be working with Lin-Manuel Miranda to bring this fantastic story to the big screen."

Miranda, who wrote the music and lyrics and stars in the show, first conceived "In The Heights" while in his sophomore year at Wesleyan University.

"Nearly nine years into my journey with 'Heights,' I remain constantly humbled by all the opportunities we have been given. I am thrilled to work with Universal and help bring this story to millions of people around the world," Miranda said.