I was the only one in my family to cry when we saw this show the first time, I still don't understand how. The way this song was written is genius; a lot of the rest of the soundtrack rhymed, but this one was just words without the clarity of normal thought. Abuela Claudia's death took the clarity out of Usnavi's life. Also the way that Sonny was portrayed throughout this; for the rest of the show before this song he was always bubbly and talkative, but when Abuela died he just sat, silent, with an expression of utter despair and confusion. That seriously broke me, they way Usnavi expressed his grief through words but Sonny, the chatterbox, said nothing. His silence said more than any words he could've spoken in that moment.
printing__press
In my mind Usnavi and Nina are practically brother and sister.
angiewagner
"She was just here!" gets me EVERY DANG TIME
lorellelane
Man, Mandy kills it in this song especially when she hits that sky high "Pacienca Y Fey" there toward the end. Just amazing.
gothard
The fact that she is sitting right there makes me giggle.
breivrywhite
mood: the faint sobs in the background
alex.andruuh
When Lin tears up for this song, do you think he's remembering the woman in his life who inspired Abuela?
raisedbybears
I try to avoid this song when listening to ITH, because I legit cry everytime.
alexrobles
mood: gasps in the back of "SHE WAS JUST HERE"
alarbu
First time I listened all the way through this musical, when Kevin says "passed away" my stomach knotted immediately and I had to sit down
laurenpullan
When I die, I hope I get something this nice sung at my funeral
coralroper
EVERY. TIME. I. HEAR. THIS. SONG. I GET. CHILLS.
Liz-liz
"Abuela passed away at noon today" as Abuela is visible in the background has me messed up.
rosebudgirl
Jesus. I'm playing Kevin Rosario in my school show and hearing the "She was just here" line gets me every time.
Fredinator
Usnavi and Nina are like siblings and I want to cry
chelsea
That moment Lin and Mandy turn toward each other... You really see the love and adoration
Hearing Alabanza it sounds like a tribute to the matriarch where Usnavi finally finds the strength to join. I saw a snippet from the candlelight vigil in the movie and thought it was a separate scene. Nope. When you see it performed here you can see this beautiful blend of tribute, a community grieving, and that community coming together to express both love to their matriarch and support to a friend in pain. Same in the movie; they're all marching *to* Usnavi. They're there to embrace him and give him the strength to sing that last "alabanza" 😭😭😭
sarahdurantsmith
The look of sadness for his friend that Chris is looking at Lin with is so sad
buriedgender
Lin is such a good actor. He really gets the audience on his side.
eved.
Ugh, the "she was just here" part always gets to me, excellent performance.
Uoaefe
as someone who is currently playing usnavi It is very hard to live up to lin-manuel's performance
