In The Heights began as an original musical conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda during his sophomore year at Wesleyan University. Upon graduating and returning home to New York, Miranda collaborated with director Thomas Kail to rework and restage the campus hit for a larger audience. That's how they captured the interest of producers Jill Furman, Kevin McCollum and Jeffrey Seller, whose previous work on Broadway included Rent, Avenue Q and The Drowsy Chaperone. After more workshops, more collaborators, and a stint at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in Connecticut, the musical found a home at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts Theatre. Seven years after the idea was first born, In The Heights was ready for its New York theatrical debut.

During its Off-Broadway run at 37 Arts, In The Heights quickly became an audience phenomenon and a critical success. The response was unprecedented: the musical was luring both traditional and non-traditional theatergoers and garnering a huge cache of accolades, including the Outer Critics' Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical. After over 200 performances, In The Heights played its final Off-Broadway show on July 15th, 2007, and began preparations for a move to Broadway, which included enhancements to the script and score, as well as new additions to the cast and crew.

In The Heights played its first Broadway performance at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on February 14, 2008 and celebrated its Opening Night on March 9, 2008.