“In The Heights”

★★★★★ For decades, I drove down Pulaski ( also known as Crawford Avenue) south of Fullerton, seeing some rather large warehouses and factories. Most of them, appeared to be empty over the last years. The area is one of the areas that is changing and for most people, unnoticed. Two weeks ago, I heard about a production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first hit, “In The Heights” which is also playing in nearby Cicero as a joint production of Vision Latino Theatre Company and Jedlicka Performing Arts at their Center, 3801 S. Central Avenue. This sterling production takes place on the north side, at 2311 N. Pulaski Rd, in a building that is called The Miracle Center.

The Miracle Center is an amazing building, not for its stature or construction, or for that matter the look of the building. It is what is inside the building and in the hearts of those who are in the building that truly makes a difference to the community ,and to those who enter the building for what it and its programs offer to them. The founder of The Miracle Center, Mary Santana is an amazing woman who wanted to bring culture to the neighborhood and build something that her people could be proud of. The arts are important to all of us in our growing up, and in some areas of the city of Chicago, there are many kids who grew up lacking interest in the arts, primarily due to not being exposed to them. Thanks to Ms Santana and her staff, this is being changed through The Miracle Center- thus, the MIRACLE!.

“In The Heights” is a powerful story about the people of the community known as Washington Heights which is going through “gentrification”. It is a story about family, struggles, perseverance and celebration as we watch the locals experience something that many of these performers have witnessed in their own lives as their neighborhoods have been transformed.

Changes can work for you or against you and some people learn to roll with the punches, making it easier. These are Puerto Ricans, and the inhabitants/characters are very real to anyone who has spent any time on Division Street in Chicago. The original book written by Quiara Alegria Hudes has been used to add the music and lyrics by Miranda. While this , his earlier musical ( to” Hamilton”) does have his “rap” beat and style, it is not 100% in that manner. But I must tell you that the young man who plays Usnavi ( this is a funny name in that when they got to the harbor in New York, his father saw a sign, U.S.Navy, and thus the name for his son), Carlos S. Serano II is remarkable and one might think a natural for this role. I found out after the performance that this role was his first ( he played it the first time in 2014, when the Miracle Center did it) He has been around the Center since he was three, but until 2014 did not appear.. Theater directors, pay attention, he is a find as are several others who have come out of the training and work ethic of this Center. Often people ask where do we get the talent. We grow it!

He is probably the main character, but the others of great import are: The Rosarios, Kevin (Primitivo Cruz) and his wife Camila (Moraliz Collazo-Salgado) who own a car service/taxi Company. They have a daughter, Nina ( deftly handled by Samantha Ramos, who has a great vocal range) who has come back from college, causing problems with her parents. After all, she is the first of their family to ever get that far in their education. One of her father’s employees, Benny ( who is the only non-Puerto Rican is played to perfection by Aaron Reese Boseman) and they fall in love. note; this is a little like a “West Side Story”/”Romeo and Juliet” storyline , but has a much happier ending!

The character Abuela Claudia ( a divine portrayal by Renette Rodriguez), who is like a grandmorther to all of the others is a key to their future. I will not give away the fortunes of the story, but will tell you that her character is of great importance to the completion of the tale. The cast is dynamic and highly energetic. Usnavi’s girlfriend, Vanessa is played by the lovely Emilie Rose Danno ( another one that should be grabbed by local theater companies), the next door neighbor to his Bodega, Daniela ( the bubbly Teresa Rivera-Santis), Carla (Leticia Rosa), Sonny (Agustin Velez), Graffiti Pete ( and other roles are played by the stylish dancer, Giovanni Carmona), the Piragua Guy is played perfectly by Blas Ortiz-Venhaus and there is a baby in one of the scenes played by Miranda Rochelle Kyles.

The ensemble is composed of Sophia Alonzo, Tye Hawkins, Jirah A. Morales, Eric Nava, Vanessa Torres and Karime Villanueva. They are solid performers. Smoothly directed by Maria Torres with slick choreography by Anais Zayas on an extraordinary set (Pablo Ponce) which shows that creativity outweighs dollars. For a low- budget theater, the set depicts all that it needs to and then some. The costumes ( Chelsea Ward), lighting ( Charlotte Rathke) and props (Christian Kurka) are all first rate. The sound (Joey Calumet, Jose Sanchez and Christie Chles Twillie) and the video projections and all the great artwork on the surrounding walls of the theater are a work of art. I only wish that I would have known about this at the start of the run so more of you could get to see it. From now on I will. BUT- there will be one more week-end,, October 25th and 26th at 7:30 p.m..

Miracle Center located at 2311 N. Pulaski- http://www.themiraclecenter.org 1-773-276-5933. There is free parking on Belden Avenue ( just south of the building) with attendants to assist you.