“In The Heights”

Marriott, unlike other theater companies that have done this  pre-“Hamilton” work, opted to use a cast primarily composed of Hispanics and in fact, this particular production is directed by James Vasquez and choreographed by William Carlos Angulo, showing that the sense of the theater was to make this production as real as real can be! If we take that to the next step, we can look at set design (Arnel Sanciano), wig design ( Ray Sanchez), Fight Choreography (Adrian Aguilar) and Dialect coach (Cynthia Santos DeCure), allowing that most of the tech crew is also Hispanic. Michael Daly did the sound, Jesse Klug, the lighting, Harri Horsley, the costumes and as usual Sally Zack, the props.

The cast is made up of mostly Latinos as well, making it easy for Vasquez to tell the story. In-the-round is hard to do when you are doing a play that needs visuals of an area with stores and shops, but somehow Sancianco was able to do this with just a little movement of a doorway that represented different shops for the majority of the play and had a great impact during the final scene.

Washington Heights is a neighborhood. It is a melting pot of mostly Hispanics who come from different areas like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico and possibly some Cubans. While they all are here seeking the “American Dream”, they are in some ways “Family” because they are on the same path. This particular family is facing the demise of their neighborhood. It is almost ready for gentrification, which means their lives will change forever and they will no longer feel as if they are amongst “familia”.

This is a powerful story and the cast assembled is absolutely perfect. In fact, I have to think that if the creator Lin-Manuel Miranda saw Usanavi played byJoseph Morales, he would be standing in the aisles applauding with everything he has. Morales captured the heart and soul of this young man who in fact is both our hero and storyteller. From the opening number “In The Heights” the audience is caught up in the area and as we meet the characters, we cannot help ourselves from falling in love with the community. NOTE: For many years I was involved with the Hispanic community ( with Laraza newspaper and TeleGuia weekly as well as the Spanish Yellow Pages). I was the “Gringo from laRaza” and know that the Hispanic community is in fact, a community!

This cast of players is powerful and truly makes the story take a life of its own, pulling us in and making us feel like we are the preverbal “fly on the wall”. Along with the magnificent Morales, we have actors such as Paola V. Hernandez as Vanessa , his love interest ( she is quite the singer, dancer and actress , the triple threat one hears about), Addie Morales as Nina the other story that takes us into its heart who is in  “lust” with Benny ( Yasir Muhammad) who works for her dad. Nina has dropped out of school and has come home to let her parents know her situation. Dad is against Benny as her mate, although Benny has worked for him for years. Rudy Martinez and  Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel play the parents to perfection.

Other cast members who make this story take on a life of its own are the amazing and very powerful Lillian Castillo who shakes the entire theater up when she does “Carnival del Barrio” in the second act. Daniella is something else and Ms Castillo is perfect in every way. Her buddy Carla ( the divine Michelle Lauto) is right on and along with Ms. Hernandez/Vaness they are a triple threat- singing/dancing and of course making their characters truly real.

Other cast members that shine ( and there are many of them) are:Jordan Arrendo, Andres J. De Leon ( who’s street vendor is a delight and what a voice), Wesley J. Barnes, Carisa Gonzalez, Justin Payron Nelson, Isa Ramirez, Alix Rhode, Tommy Rivera Vega, Kiana Rodriguez, Sebastian Trevino, Cristina Benninghof Uribe, Arik Vega, Phillip Wood ( Man, can he move!), and the adorable Crissy Guerroro as Abuela Claudia ( a special character in this special play). I will tell you that if you are an emotional person, you might need several tissues in the second act. Yes, while this show is filled with great comic touches and wonderful dance numbers, there is always emotion in anything  dealing with family and “In The Heights” fits the mold.

While the songs are not ones you might hum on the way home, you might just feel the need for some good Latin food and you might find yourself humming the opening title tune “In The Heights”. This is my 4th time seeing this play live and I did catch the film. Marriott Theatre’s production is superb and should be on your “TO SEE” list!