Teddy Eck

Question: What song most resonates with you from In the Heights?

A: “It Won’t Be Long Now” by Lin-Manuel Miranda

I’ve lived in the heights for years. For about a dozen years, I was in New York – in Washington Heights, in Queens, just everywhere. The yearning [of “It Won’t Be Long Now”] and that wanting more – I don’t know, I get it. I’m looking at the lyrics now and Lin-Manuel Miranda has this way with analogies. It really captures the city: “The rattling screams don’t disrupt my dream… ” It’s just so good. It’s about how you’re going to make it. You’re going to find your way, and you’ll find that success. The rhythm is just so amazing too.

TEDDY ECK is Monterey Peninsula College’s outgoing theater department chairperson. He most recently helped produce Perseverance, a collection of performances inspired mostly by the experiences of students during shelter-in-place.