Musical theatre has a way of letting you see and hear the stories that aren’t always brought to attention. Like the songs about being the socially awkward friend at a party and you start to have a panic attack. The music and acting work in tandem to give the audience authentic moments that they can personally connect with.

This soundtrack— written none other than by Lin-Manuel Miranda—is so incredibly unique because it seamlessly juggles rap and multi-lingual phrases in a 2 hour production, while being targetted towards a younger demographic. Somehow it all just seems to work together beautifully, while still keeping crucial topics about poverty and gentrification in the forefront and integrating Latin sounding instrumentals to compliment such.

It’s a melodic monolgue from Nina who is struggling to find the words to tell her parents, and friends that she dropped out of Stanford. She worries they’ll hate her and will be dissappointed because she was the only person to actually “make it out” of the barrio.

The lines in this song are so authentic and really affect anyone who has ever felt an impeeding weight resting on their shoulders placed there by their own parents, because they set the bar so high (myself included). She starts off by singing, “Hey guys it’s me/ the biggest dissappointment you know…” she can’t keep standing on their pedestal and feels guilty about it. The barrio isn’t worried because they know their “star” will get out of this low place eventually. “Ay te adoro, te quiero/ the neighbourhood waved and said Nina, ‘be brave/ and you’re gonna be fine!'”

As hurtful as it is to listen to initially, it’s also comforting and hopeful to hear all of the voices wishing her encouragement and telling her to keep going. Nina realizes that she can always get back up and try again with pacienca y fe (patience and faith). At times when I feel overwhelmed, this is my mantra to help me push through.

So to anyone who needed to hear it today: Pacienca y fe… just breathe, and try again.

-Genna Dara