A tale of two worlds diverged in one neighborhood: the inhibiting urban bustle of the Big Apple and the memories of beautiful open beach fronts and simpler living. This is a world where each pilgrim must formulate their own balance of tradition and transformation.
For over a decade, RENTheads have waited for another urban tale to sink their teeth into, perhaps they will like the taste of In the Heights. Winning the 2008 Tony for best musical, Heights drops in on the poor Latino district of Washington Heights, a long-standing harbor first-generation immigrants in New York City. This production infuses urban elements of tagging, break-dancing, the Spanish language, and hip-hop into an account of the modern-day immigrants' struggle in America.
In what might be described as RENT lite (though writer Lin-Manuel Miranda clings to Fiddler on the Roof as his inspiration) , the ensemble of mostly Dominican and Puerto Rican immigrants deal with language barriers, threats of financial ruin, and dreams of life "back on the islands" on a daily basis.
The story begins when Usnavi, owner of the local corner bodega, finds a local artist tagging his awing. After shoeing the artist away, Usnavi (Kyle Beltran) freestyles (scripted, but delivered to the effect) a tour of the neighborhood, introducing his Abuela Claudia, who raised him in the absence of his parents. There's the Rosarios (Daniel Bolero and Natalie Toro), who own the local cab and limousine service, parents of the sole college-bound Latina in the neighborhood, Nina Rosario (Arielle Jacobs). The Rosario's have also taken in Benny (Rogelio Douglas Jr.), a local boy with no real family, as a driver. Next to the Bodega, is the salon, owned and operated by Carla (Genny Lis Padilla), Daniela (Isabel Santiago), y Vanessa (Yvette Gonzolez-Nacer). The audience later finds out that Usnavi has feelings for Vanessa and has for some time, but is too shy to make a move.
The drama ensues when Nina Rosario returns unexpectedly from Stanford with a shocking announcement. From there, passions run freely as each character is faced with a major decision to preserve what they've always known, or take a giant leap to potentially change for the better.
This touring cast features phenomenal vocal performances by Regelio Douglas Jr., Arielle Jacobs, and Yvette Gonzolez-Nacer who effortlessly belt the intensely dynamic original score (also by Lin-Manuel Miranda). The hip-hop sections (performed mostly by Usnavi) are reminiscent of operatic recitative, used in place of traditional spoken monologue or dialogue. Again, similar to RENT, but with an original touch.
There is a sincere youthfulness to the script that comes directly from Miranda's college naivete (having written the script as a sophomore at Wesleyan University), but is this musical a pure and profound opera of the oppressed...or another way to warm the hearts of Broadway-goers at the expense of those who can't afford to be in the audience? In that sense, the beauty truly is in the eye of the ticket-holder.
In the Heights runs at the Orpheum Theater Dec.1-6. The tour is produced by Broadway Across America and presented by the Hennepin Theatre Trust. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the State Theater box office or at the Hennepin Theatre Trust website. Prices range from $28-$78.
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