Director David Mendizábal remembers seeing "In the Heights" as a young person.

He said the 2008 musical was the first time he saw his own world on an American stage.

The show was a big moment for Latino representation.

It won four Tony Awards.

Mendizábal now directs a new production at New York City Center.

It runs for three weeks, through Nov. 15.

It is the first major revival of the musical.

Mendizábal said the show brings "a great balm of joy."

He said it is vital to show the depth of Latino communities now.

Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the show with Quiara Alegría Hudes.

He also starred in the original production.

He said he is proud the work speaks across generations.

He spoke at a red carpet event for the opening.

The revival comes during federal immigration enforcement operations.

These operations have affected Dominican and Cuban families like those in the musical.

Last month, an ICE officer in Manhattan shot a Dominican national in the neck.

His five-year-old son watched.

This prompted protests.

Jenny Gersten is City Center's artistic director.

She said she asked herself what would be "a good balm for these times."

She said the answer came quickly: "In the Heights is pure joy."

The story is set in Washington Heights.

It is a mostly Latino neighborhood.

It is a 30-minute subway ride from City Center.

The story follows three summer days in the lives of several characters.

One is Usnavi, played by Matte Martinez.

Another is Abuela Claudia, played by Natalie Venetia Belcon.

Miranda said the show "still holds up" 18 years after its debut.

He pointed to the song "96,000."

In it, the character Sonny raps about his dreams for the neighborhood.

Ishmael Gonzalez plays Sonny.

He said the rap touches on gentrification, immigration and racism in politics.

Gonzalez said it feels like the most present part of the show.

Chris Jackson played Benny in the original Broadway cast.

He has passed a kind of baton to his wife, Veronica Vazquez-Jackson.

She plays Camilla in the revival.

The two met in 2003 during an early off-Broadway staging of the show.

Jackson called it "a full circle moment."

He said the cast is "holding the light on" for people.

These people still aspire to be part of American society and culture.