Added: 1 year ago
From: usnavi
Views: 20,429
Sort by time | Sort by thread (beta)

Link to this comment:

Share to:
see all

All Comments (154)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • Hey Lin!

    I have a question. Was the show fully recorded by Radical at the time this documentary was being made or were just a few scenes recorded? - If so, why are they unable to release this amazing show on DVD? That would make me one of the happiest person alive, owning the full show on DVD with it's original cast.

  • The thing I love about seeing the original cast together, is how much of a family they really are. They all have this bond, even through a computer screen, that feels just powerful. And it shows on stage. I love having that feeling in a production. The saddest part is when its over </3

    Really sad that I never got to see this live :((

    Chris Fother Muckin Jackson, makes me want to play Benny someday.

    Release a DVD!!! :D

  • best part

    "you gonna see a play and stuff and look theres party passes too we going to a party" XD

  • Comment removed

  • this video makes me so haaaappppyyyy!

  • i would have given anything to have been able to see In The Heights with the original cast. this is my favorite musical of all time. Chris Jackson is amazing and Lin-Manuel Miranda you are a genius

  • This montage brought tears to my eyes (and I wasn't even lucky enough to have seen the show EVER)! It's nice to see how dreams come true. This gives me personally so much hope and inspiration for my own life!

  • i love his hawaii hat!

  • Inspirational :)

  • I wish I could've seen this show on broadway more than once! Why don't ya'll do a world tour? I'd love to watch it over and over again! Please tell me there will be a movie! Porfavor!

  • how come chris never looks happy in rehearsals

  • Chris Jackson is AWESOME! He has such an amazing voice! His album just came out and it is fantastic. Everyone go check it out! Christopher Jackson - "In the Name of Love"

  • Chris Jackson is AWESOME! He has such an amazing voice! He’s album just came out and it is fantastic. Everyone go check it out! jut google "In the Name of Love - Christopher Jackson"

  • i was ushering at the show in rochester and they showed a clip of the special. they need to put it out on DVD

  • @TomCollinsgirl Ah, yeah, I saw that same special on tv. I was also at the show in Rochester : )

  • This should have been a series, "I Believe in Janet Dacal" for example. hell id like to see every cast member.....everyone backstage too for that matter.

  • "I just got Smooth Criminal-ed"

  • I saw this yesterday for the first time with Chris. (LUCKY ME! <3 )Everyone was so phenomenal in the performace, and so nice afterwards as they signed everyone's playbills. This was the best show I've ever seen, and I'm devastated that it's leaving Broadway.

    Lin, I can't thank you and the rest of the cast for this incredible gift <3

  • Lin, This musical really inspires me. I am alot like the character Nina, i force myself to succeed where my family didn't. Nina's story inspires me to keep trying, and if i ever fall, to get up and keep going. I know you must get this alot but your musical is a true treasure. Thank you for sharing it with us.

  • Lin,

    I don't know if you have any say about who is gonna get casted in the movie but I think I can speak for everyone, when i say chris would and should be Benny in the movie. I can't wait to see it.

  • This video is awesome! I'm a huge Chris Jackson fan! I saw ITH 3 times! Cant wait for the movie!!

  • brb crying

  • im addicted to this video its so inspirational .... I tear up everytime i watch it

  • Is it true that Chris is going to come back for the last few weeks of the broadway run along with you, Lin? I have tickets to see the show on december 29th and having Chris play Benny would only add to my excitement! =]

  • @cangels08 im hoping the same thing

  • Hi Lin,

    I was wondering if there have been any talks about bringing the show overseas? I'm from Australia (Melbourne) and we always seem to get Broadway shows about 4 or 5 years after NY and London. I'd love to get the chance to see In The Heights here even if it were just a tour and not an open season. I've been a fan of Heights for years now, and I run a small production company. At our first gala event which was a tribute to musical theatre we sung 96000. Highlight of the night :)

  • Man, i wish i could talk to Christopher about that role, he was my favorite. i hope one day i could run into him in NYC and ask him about benny and how he did it. i am trying to become an actor on broadway when i get out of highschool.

  • He's so sweet! The best Benny ever! You can tell he's just the nicest guy ever! He inspires me so much!!

  • That was so inspirational! I definitely needed that today. :)

  • this was beautiful!

  • I like the De La Vega shirt Chris is wearing. "Become your dream." I saw a picture of Lin wearing that shirt as well at The De La Vega museum.

  • Oh Dear. I seriously can't believe I won't be able to see Chris' Benny @ In The Heights anymore. He will always be Benny. I traveled all the way to NY just to see him!!! Gosh, I wish him the best in his new project!!! LOVE YOU CHRISTOPHER! Suerte!!

  • I was fortunate enough to meet Chris backstage because my dance teacher knew him growing up. Such an incredible performer and a truly amazing person.

  • Definitely one of my new idols! =]

    IN THE HEIGHTS is awesome!!

    Lin, you're amazing and saved my dream...

    Thank you,

    Daryl Jim

  • Chris Jackson for President.

    I missed him in a performance two years ago :(

    He has a great voice from the clips I have seen though.

    When will the movie cast be announced?

  • Hey Lin, what's Chris up to now that he's left the show? you said something about an album? Chris was awesome when I saw him in April and I'm sad to see him leave. loved the show by the way. as a hopeful pro actor, i saw (in my not so pro opinion) the best show on Broadway.

  • Hey Lin, I heard that ITH was heading to the big screen, T or F? If true, any chance there is an extra role for a 16 year old? Haha Im going to see the show in November and I cant wait! Especially since i heard Jordan Sparks was going to be included in the cast! <3 NikkiMarieRamos

  • Hey Lin, I heard that ITH is going to become a movie, T or F? If so... any chance you can have a 15 year old extra? Haha.

    Im going to see ITH in November and I flipped out when I heard Jordan Sparks was in it! I can't wait to see it! <3 NikkiMaire

  • i still have the "great performances" recorded on my tivo <3

    this show seriously changed my life. thank you for everything Lin.

  • Lin - thanks for sharing this with us. Having seen the show 20 times now and having had the amazing opportunity to do the walk-on role as a result of winning the prize from Graduate to New Heights, I met & talked with Chris and he is such a gentleman! It's nice to know that the faces and voices we fans have come to love are good people too! I wish Chris all the best and look forward to even greater things from him (and from YOU too!). Thank YOU for changing my life with ITH.

  • I love this show to death! I hope I get to see it someday soon. Chris is amazing and hope great things happen for him.

  • 4:50 with him and his wife..."i told i was gonna show you the world"....it gets me everytime : )

  • Brilliant. Everything's brilliant about this show. Hope your last night/show went beautifully, bro. You deserve it! :)

  • This was such a moving video. Thanks for posting this! I went to see "In The Heights" on Broadway and it was fantastic. I also saw the tour down here in Miami and was very impressed. You have a great team, Lin. Thanks for sharing your art and re-inventing theatre. YOU are an inspiration. I love you!

  • oh my goodness, this is so sweet, "I told you I was goin to show you the world..." is the best part for me- made me tear up. I love this, it's like we were part of it too. Thank you for Sharing :)

  • Christopher Jackson was so inspiring as Benny. Watching him up there, he just made it look so effortless. He made Benny one of my dream roles, but alas, I am white. Good luck to Chris and all his future endeavors (Idk if i spelled that right, too lazy for spellcheck...dont judge me)

  • WHO is replacing Chris?? huh??

  • I'll miss Chris Jackson as Benny! He is so good and so talented. no doubt his replacement will be awesome as well. <3

  • The best part of the Broadway Musical "In The Heights" was actor Christopher Jackson who played Benny! I had the pleasure of meeting him and I look forward to his upcoming album. Benny you were the best!

    Is there a way to keep in touch of what Chris is doing now? Is Chris on twitter, facebook, or something like that? I would like to buy his album and keep up with him on Sesame Street.

  • I don't know if I believe in god but I believe in Chris Jackson

  • hey lin, i love the show, i have just put my poster signed by all yall that i got for the equity figh aids. but im wondering when this movie is supposed to come out, im getting tired of having to show off the ton performance on youtube everytime my non broadway friends ask what in the heights is

  • I Love You Big Brother!! Your spirit will always live on thru Benny regardless of who plays him...... I'll be in Tokyo making sure of it. Miss you fam and I wish I was there to see you bless the stage one last time. Siempre!!

  • @RogelioDouglasJr Loved your comment. Also, just wanted to say that I saw you perform in LA a couple weeks ago and you were great as Benny :)

  • this made me cry. chris jackson you are truly an inspiration to us all. no one can ever replace you as benny

  • FINALLY!! More than just a snippet of Chris. Can't wait to see what the next step is for him. <3.

  • i'm a musical theatre student, i'm from puerto rico

    in June 5, 2010 at 8:00pm my theatre teacher made one of my biggest dreams true

    i went to see this show for my very first time ((this was my first time in NY too))

    & tengo q deciir q en vd fue una experiiencia demasiau d inolviidable

    algun dia d mi vida qiero estar parada en ese escenario & qiero ser parte de In The Heights

    es un show q me ha cambiado la vida x completo!!

    I LOVE IN THE HEIGHTS!!

    & lo vere aqi en Puerto Rico!!

  • That was beautiful! I was lucky enough to see the entire original cast. I was in the very back and the energy onstage just smacked me in the face. Incredible. I wanted to thank you Mr. Lin-Manuel Miranda for making such a beautiful piece of theatre. I was truly lucky and honored to see In The Heights!

  • I've always been taught to dream, I've always been taught to go as far as I can go and when I think I've gotten to the end, try and go even futher.......

    "Dreams don't always cost anything, at first. It doesn't cost you anything to dream, your imagination has been given to you for a reason, you have to imagine things better for yourself." I LOVE THAT. HE IS SUCH AN INPIRATION. for a normal guy like that!! he's so down to earth and everything :) love for him

  • When are you going to do a show overseas? I live in New Zealand and i would really want to watch this show. You're a genius Lin. :)

  • "I do this eight shows a week, change of venue and I don't know where the hell I'm supposed to be." <-- lol!

    Aw, I'm sad to see Chris leave. Everytime I saw ITH, he's always delivered. I wish him well with his future work, and to Clifton Oliver, who's replacing him. I can't wait to see how he does =)

    And Lin, when is the tour coming to DC?

  • i was so happy to see chris being an original cast member even though i didnt get to see the show till this past may, it made it so special!!

  • Thanks for posting this. Chris is an amazingly talented performer. Every time I saw ITH you could just FEEL his raw energy and passion!! What a blessing to have him as Benny for so long...he'll be missed!

    xoxo

  • Hey Lin,

    Are you coming to Ottawa? You should look into coming to the NAC. :) I really wanna see you guys! And there is no way for me to get anywhere to see you?

    -Sarah

  • Man!!! I can't believe Chris is leaving!!! Definitely gonna miss him on the show!!! ITH is the shizz!!! No doubt!!!

  • 4:46 --> 5:05

    you know what? you're kind of amazing.

  • I have been listening to this constantly lately...love this show!

  • hey lin are you coming to puerto rico for the show????me and my family are going we are from vega baja:)))

  • @123slash83 yes!!! he's coming!!... i'm from puerto rico too!! are you gonna go to the show??

  • I love In the Heights so freakin' much!! Every time I listen to the music I remember the first time I saw the show and met the cast after at the stage door. Such a beautiful show and I cry a bit every time I hear it. Thank you for this gift Lin:)

    And we'll miss you Chris!!

  • ONE AND ONLY BENNY.

  • I saw this show two weeks ago! I'm so happy Chris Jackson was still in it! Where did you get all these "deleted scenes" from the PBS Great Performances?

  • THE ONE AND ONLY BENNY.

  • Aw, it's so sad to see him go!

  • I'm ready to debate anyone who doesn't agree that "Sunrise" and Chris' voice is the prettiest four minutes and eight seconds that you'll spend in your life. Here's an additional lyric How do you say Thank You God for Chris Jackson's voice and Thank You Lin for putting him In the Heights. 

  • So many changes to the show.  I gotta make another trip to NY to see it. Who will be the next Usnavi?

  • Awwww. I almost cried there. Almost. lol. Awesome video! God, I love Chris. He is So talented. No one can do Benny like CJ. Wow. When is the movie coming out? Cant WAIT to see it. & I'm definitely buying in DVD when it comes out. Is Chris going to be in it?

    ~ <3 Salena

  • I love it.

    I can't wait to see Heights again and check out the new cast!

  • *le sigh* Chris with his wife reminds me of my hubby--good to know there's more than one of them.

    Look forward to seeing you in the movie, Chris.... *strong hint*

  • Chris Jackron is amazing, and this is awesome footage! I've already seen all of the Dreams Come True Special on YouTube- is there a place to watch the rest of the behind-the-scenes footage in its entirety?

  • I'm so grateful that I was able to see ITH this summer before Chris left... it was an incredible experience!

  • Oh my goodness... That was so sweet. So... hmm... I'm suddenly taken by the urge to jump in my car and drive (like 12 hours) to NYC.... I NEED to see this show!

  • Lin - Thank you so much for sharing this! The Richard Rodgers stage won't be the same without Chris, but I've loved seeing all the cast changes and watching the show stay fresh everytime - even after the 14 times I've gone ;-) I look forward to more C-Jack with FLS and the album =)

  • Chris is amazing!!! I'm so obsessed with this show-I flew to NYC to see it, saw it twice on tour and I record every time it's on tv....plus I listen to the soundtrack at least once a week. Can't wait for the movie so I can see the full show regularly!!! When will we know more about the movie???

  • i was lucky enough to have seen him once. wish i could have seen him a few more times. i miss you chris!!

  • i had the pleasure of attending one of Chris' last shows...AMAZING! I easily became attached to Benny because of his superb acting and singing. I got to meet Clifton Oliver too yesterday and he was wonderful and seems very fresh and excited to be on board...can't wait to see the show again with him and JS together. I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!! Un millon de gracias por el video Usnavi! :)

  • I love Chris. So happy I got to see him before he left. I hope I get to see him in something again soon! :)

    And this is SUCH a wonderful video. :)

  • I can't believe I got to see him last week!!! :D

  • I saw the show my first trip to NYC last summer. Chris was amazing and gave a very memorable performance. I feel very lucky to have seen the show with many of the original cast members, including Chris. Great actor, great show, wonderful night of theater.

  • sad to see such a talented performer go. he'll go on to do great things though, i'm sure. Lin, i love that little harmony that you and alex lac are teaching him in the video. =)

  • sad to see such a talented performer go. he'll go on to do great things though, i'm sure. Lin, i love that little harmony that you and alex lac are teaching him in the video. =)

  • i believe in god AND chris jackson :)

    chris was amazing in the show and i love everything hes ever done...

    congrats chris on an amazing run with the show and good luck in watever you do...

    but always remmeber that you're home at the heights and with the fans.

    we love you forever.

    love,

    michelle and the rest of the fans of in the heights

    <3

  • Yes! No recordings ... see this show, it's dynamite! Come back to Broadway, Lin! :)

  • It feels like the end of something huge. I know Clifton will rock it-- but we LOVE YOU CJ!!!

  • i can't believe he's leaving! he is so amazing and his voice melts my heart :)

    whoever is taking over has some very big shoes to fill!

  • are u going to be playing usnavi in Puerto RIco ???? please say yes!!!!!!!!!!

  • Beautiful. I'm so glad that I got to see In the Heights with Chris. Thanks for posting this video.

  • i LOVE blackout!!!! gives me chills

  • I wish I lived closer to New York so that I could have seen the entire original cast. They're all so amazing. However, I had the privilege of seeing the show in L.A. at the Pantages, twice. The first time was with a group of friends who were seeing their first Broadway show, and the second time on closing night with my mom. So I shouldn't let myself be too diisappointed.

    Hope to see Chris Jackson move on to more great things. He's incredible.

  • I saw ITH about a week after it opened. Mom won the lottery on our very first day in NYC. Saw Chris Jackson outside the theater before the show and he looked so awesome. Got a pic with him after the show and he was the sweetest. I LOVE CHRIS JACKSON!

    Oh, yeah, Lin is cool, too. ;)

  • i have to see this!!!! I'm in love with his musical, this is pure genius theater

  • i love chris jackson so frickin much. i saw this show four times and i saw it off broadway : D who's replacing chris ?

  • @sydneyparra96 The incredibly talented Clifton Oliver is taking over. He is wonderful.  Thanks for coming to see us.

  • I cant wait until i get to see the show (on tour) in January in Rochester NY. I am so excited and its only august

  • Aww Man . Chris left. No more Christopher Jackson hand-clap in 96,000. No more tall guy walking from the pizzeria every time I go around there. Man. He didn't even get to kiss Joridin Sparks.

  • @sk8rtuti LOL! haha I know! They would've had Great chemistry I bet. Oh Welll. :) <3

  • Loved that. Chris is the real deal. I'm sure he'll be missed. Onward and upward.

  • This was lovely.

  • i haven't seen the show in a year and a half(depressing) and this just gave me goosebumps and made me miss it so much

  • Hey senor Lin, I wanted to know, is there any chance of ITH comming to Canada? I'd really love to see this show!!! Thshow is the one that finaly set my mind, I want to be an actor on Broadway!!!

  • It's a shame I didn't have the chance to see Chris in the show :( Hopefully the show will stay on Broadway at least one more year...I'm planning to come next fall.

    Lin, please make it happen! ;) OR: Bring your show to Europe, Germany would be perfect! We have some good rappers over here who could do justice to your show by translating it properly into German! :)

  • Well, it's official: In The Heights is closing on Broadway :((((( *cry*

    My last chance to see the show: The tour!

    Lin, if there's any chance, keep show touring, PLEASE!

    Love your work, your creativity, simply THE BEST! Thank you!

  • thanks for sharing Lin! :)

  • Hey Lin,

    Is there ever going to be a DVD of the Dreams Come True Special?? These clips are like treasures for us ITH fans and I hope one day we can own them??? This video is amazing.

  • @SamTheatre Yes! Please. :)

  • @SamTheatre There's meh news and good news. The meh news is that I have no idea if there are plans to put out a DVD. That conversation happens a bit above my pay grade, between producers and the good folks at Radical, and what have you. The GOOD news is that I know they have HUNDREDS of hours of footage. What you've seen is the snowflake at the tip of the iceberg, and I'm sure more of it will emerge over the life of this show. Small comfort, I know. But nice to know it exists, right?

  • @usnavi Absolutely!  BTW you responding made my day. I am a huge fan and it means the world to me. Seen the show 7 times. Going back in October for my 8th. No pare sigue suge!

  • I love seeing things like this. I like to see the behind the scenes stuff that makes the people that i admire feel like I have something in common with them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • We met Chris Jackson at the stage door on Valentine's Day 2009. My daughter said hello Mr. Jackson and he said Mr. Jackson is my grandfather, call me Chris. I think that made her happier than anything else about our first trip to NYC. So much talent, so handsome and great with the kids. Thanks for everything you did on the stage but a great big thank you for the kindness you showed at the stage door. We have our eyes on you!! Your gift will continue to make room for you.

  • What is the song in the background at the end?

  • Besides undeniable talent, it's that passion, love, and faith, that will allow Chris to accomplish never ending success. Keep living the dream. Great vid.

  • Chris Jackson was seriously always a highlight for me in the now 10 times I've seen the show. I remember seeing him perform when I was a kid and just as I was blown away early on by one of my first theater experiences he blew me away again in ITH. This show is in my heart like an old Hector Lavoe song where everytime I hear/see it I get a sense of family and reminisce. While I don't know him personally, Chris' portrayal of Benny always felt like a part of that fam, & I'll miss him. Best of luck!

  • gave me goosebumps :)

  • This video was put together so well. Ill miss Chris as Benny =]. Now I'm about to listen to the soundtrack on repeat [It still has yet to get old =) ]

  • Any news on the film version of the show?

  • Amazing video, amazing performer, and amazing person altogether. In The Heights is definitely going to miss him! I'm so glad I was able to see him as Benny. He's just incredible!

  • Aw. This all seems like so long ago. Back when there was still a Virgin Megastore.

    Chris is a star. Always always always!

  • Love this! Thanks you Usnavi and of course Christopher Jackson!

  • Thank you for sharing! Awesome video! Im going to miss Chris. His last performance was my 10th time seeing the show and Chris has always been Benny at every performance Ive seen. I have to admit..when "When You're Gone" started I started to get emotional! :O( Cant wait to see whats next for Chris!

    Lin, thank you for ITH! Im a huge Fan! I tell Everyone I know and work with to go the see the show!!! I also tell my nursing students to go see it!!! :O)

  • I love Chris Jackson...luckily I was able to see him in both shows I went to see. I love this cast and they are all truly amazing. Thank you Lin for this wonderful show and thank you to the cast members for bringing it to life. <3

  • That was beautiful Lin! Gosh, anything with ITH is always a tear jerker.

    Much love C. Jackson.

    choco thunder

  • I wish I could see him in it one more time. I loved Chris so much when I saw him. Thank you, Christopher Jackson, for so long in The Heights. You will be missed.

    Can't wait for the album.

  • @usnavi Two questions:

    1) Will Chris be in any capacity for the movie?

    2) I've been filled with regret for two weeks now about missing Freestyle Love Supreme. When will there be another event?

  • I always get chills when he starts singing in 'Sunrise'. Good Lord, he will be missed :(

    Can't wait to see what this amazing man does next.

  • Was he on White Collar a couple weeks ago? Either him or someone that looks a lot like him played a bodyguard on White Collar not too long ago.

  • Hey Lin, is there any news about having the show recorded and sold as DVDs or something? Haven't been able to catch the show, but I'd like to experience it from something other than Youtube videos.

  • @Gamerguy3379 The only way is to come see us live, on Broadway or on tour. I believe in live theater. I can only give you appetizers here. For the full meal, come see us.

  • beautiful video :)

  • He's making an album? That's awesome! He was super awesome, I hope he succeeds awesomely in whatever he does!

  • Awww, I LOVE this!! Im in tears right now. I gotta say out of the 11 times I've seen the show he is the only cast member that was always in!! and im so grateful to have been able to see him as Benny that many times!! yes Chris will deff be missed. This video is so great.!! <3

  • Thank you for sharing this with us, Lin.

    Chris, you were fantastic in the show and can't wait for your album!

  • I made sure to see this show one more time while Chris was still Benny. The cast may have changed but just like when I saw it in opening week, the magic was still there a couple of weeks ago.

    Thanks for everything, Chris. Go for that brass ring like Frodo...

  • @ColonelYao47 True Poetry my friend:)

  • I was extraordinarily blessed to see Chris as Benny in early March of this year, and I'm so sad to see him go. I'm incredibly impressed with his character, as well as his talent. It gives me hope that some of the most actors on Broadway have faith in God, and show others their faith in Him.

  • awww this video is great and ill admit i teared up watching it but i can't wait to hear what Chris does next :)

  • i love chris! and i can relate to him bc his son has autism, and so does my lil bro. i friend requested him on facebook but he didnt reply :( but way to go chris for an awesome few years on In the Heights!

  • Good luck with everything!!

  • So glad I had the opportunity to catch him in the show during my time in NYC :)

  • this video makes me smile:)

  • This was amazing.

    xo

  • i love this :)

  • yeah im the first one to make a comment!!! love you chirs!!!

  • i saw him when i visited NY! Amazing man out to do amazingthings!

Loading...
0 / 00Unsaved Playlist Return to active list
    1. Your queue is empty. Add videos to your queue using this button:
      or sign in to load a different list.
    Loading...Loading...Saving...
    • Clear all videos from this list
    • Learn more