In The Heights

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Usnavi

Andréa Burns, Daniela

Janet Dacal, Carla

Robin De Jesús, Sonny

Carlos Gomez, Kevin

Mandy Gonzalez, Nina

Christopher Jackson, Benny

Priscilla Lopez, Camila

Olga Merediz, Abuela Claudia

Karen Olivo, Vanessa

Seth Stewart, Graffiti Pete

When you buy a CD off of one song, invite two friends to New York specifically to see a musical, book a 5 hour flight, and buy tickets a month in advance I think it's safe to say that high expectations for In The Heights were in order. So on Tuesday Nov. 11 2008 me and two of my closest friends hop onto Jet Blue in Long Beach headed towards New York for our date with In The Heights.

In The Heights follows a predominately latino barrio for a few days in the Washington Hieghts district of New York. It's the story of Usnavi who is looking to go back to his roots in the Dominican Republic while also taking care of both his Bodega and his younger cousin Sonny. Usnavi is also in love with Vanessa but doesn't quite know how to tell her. The story also follows Vannessa (she wants to leave the Barrio), Benny (has high hopes of owning his own business and winning the heart of Nina), Nina (returning from failed stint at Stanford after being one of the few to get out of the Barrio), Kevin and Camila (The parents of Nina who struggle with what is right for thier daughter), and Abuela Claudia (the patriarch of the block who everyone respects and loves). One of the themes of the play is 'home'. And what it means to each character.

The play starts with Usnavi introducing himself and all the main characters in a opening Hip Hop number that sets the tone for the rest of the night. You know your in for a treat. And it never let's up. With a mixture of Hip Hop, Latin music, and Broadway tunes it makes you want dance in your seat. The story itself flows and is easy to follow. It pulls you in and doesn't let go till the very end. The characters are all engaging and believable.

One of my favorite parts was when Abuela Claudia breaks out into her first musical number "Paciencia Y Fe". Prior to this number Abuela seems frail and forgetful, then all of the sudden the spotlight hits her and she belts out "CALOR!". Surprising anyone not familiar with the songs. The musical actually has a lot of strong female characters. Nina is very independent and very bright. Camila comes on strong in the second act putting Kevin in his place. Vanessa wants nothing more than to get out of the barrio on her own.

I'm so glad we went to go see it with most of the original cast (Karen Olivo left in October). Usnavi, Benny, and Nina were awesome and I can't imagine anyone else playing them and being that good. The character of Usnavi is probably one of the most likable characters you'll see on stage anywhere.

I can't really put into words how much I enjoyed this musical. We ended up going to see it twice. And I wish I could have seen it again. From Usnavi to Benny to Nina to the Piragua guy to Sonny to Graffiti Pete it was all good. I can't wait for the show to go on tour and come here to L.A. I guess the best way to show how good the show was is to tell you this. As the first number ended my friend tells me "feel my arm, I have goosebumps." She said the same thing at the end of the show.

Pics from my trip:

In The Heights Lyrics Home Page

In The Heights

Breathe

Benny's Dispatch

It Won't Be Long Now

Inutil

MORE TO COME! CHECK BACK OFTEN!

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