The narrative celebrates immigrant aspirations, community bonds, and cultural pride through song and dance, without centering systemic oppression, identity politics, or critiques of traditional norms as the premise. Casting features Latino leads including Anthony Ramos as Usnavi, Melissa Barrera as Vanessa, and Leslie Grace as Nina (explicitly made Afro-Latina in the film adaptation), which aligns with the story's setting rather than swapping established characters.

Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has described the project as an effort to make Latino experiences visible, though he later acknowledged shortfalls in dark-skinned Afro-Latino lead representation amid colorism criticism. Themes touch lightly on gentrification, undocumented status (Sonny's DACA-related barriers), and microaggressions (Nina at Stanford), but these serve character arcs rather than activist framing. Audience reception included praise for vibrant storytelling alongside backlash focused on insufficient intra-Latino diversity, not accusations of overreaching messaging.