A Look at Uptown: In The Heights Review

By Anna Lawson

A symphonic story brightened by vibrant latin song, In The Heights, written by Quiara Alegría Hudes with music and lyrics by Lin Manuel Miranda, tells the story of a lively community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood. 

Miranda, most well-known for his Broadway hit Hamilton, originally wrote the music to In The Heights in the early 2000s, ultimately helping to lead the show to success in the 2008 Tony Awards. The Team of In The Heights won Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestrations. The show left Broadway in 2013, but has recently been revived at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The show was run through the Broadway Center Stage program during the last week of March, and I must say, it was amazing.

One of the most important parts of creating a successful show is having a favorable cast. This production of In The Heights exceeded this criteria with stars from all over. Junior, Lucy Loazer, said, “I love listening to the soundtrack and when I saw the cast list, I knew they would do a great job.” Here is a quick rundown of the main characters and their past experience:

• Returning to the Kennedy Center following her role in the pre-Broadway production of Gigi, Vanessa Hudgens, played Vanessa, a sassy hair stylist who would give anything to move downtown to open her own salon.
  
• Vanessa’s not-so-secret crush, Usnavi, was played by Anthony Ramos, who originated the roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton.
  
• Nina, a brilliant student who dropped out of Stanford due to financial problems was played by Ana Villafañe, who also starred in the Kennedy Center Production of On Your Feet!
  
• Nina’s love interest, Benny, was played by J. Quinton Johnson who also played Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in Hamilton.
  
• Local sixteen year old actor, Mateo Ferro, took on the role of Usnavi’s cousin Sonny, a hilarious and outgoing teenager.
• Wicked star, Eden Espinosa, played Vanessa’s friend and boss, Daniela.
• Arianna Rosario, from On Your Feet!, played Vanessa’s coworker and friend Carla.
• Broadway cast members from the original production of In The Heights revived the roles of Kevin Rosario, Camila Rosario, and Piragua Guy played by Rick Negron, Blanca Camacho, and Eliseo Roman, respectively.
• Saundra Santiago from Nine played the loved Abuela Claudia, and Virgil Gadson from After Midnight took on the role of Graffiti Pete.
  
  

Directors and Choreographers also have a key role in the success of a show. This production was directed and choreographed by Stephanie Klemons who recently choreographed the NFL Super Bowl ad featuring Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. Klemons is also an In the Heights original Broadway cast member and Assistant Dance Captain, so she has a long history with Miranda’s work. Furthermore, she has gone on to serve as Associate Choreographer for both Hamilton and Bring it On: The Musical.

Finally, stage presence can make or break a show. Glenelg Junior, Josie Stubs, says, “when I saw a Broadway show in New York, the set designs and lighting made the show so much better.” Here is a brief list of the set producers who helped the show reach its full potential:

• Scene design by Tony nominee Anna Louizos, originally from In the Heights
• Costume design by Andrea Lauer, originally from Bring It On: The Musical
• Lighting design by Helen Hayes and Award-nominee Cory Pattak
• Sound design by Andrew Keister, originally from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Projections by Zachary Borovay, originally from Rock of Ages
• Zachary Dietz, originally from In The Heights as Music Director
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It is clear that the credentials of every member involved in the production of In The Heights at the Kennedy Center guarantee a fantastic show, but after seeing the show, all of my expectations were surpassed. The actors and crew were able to keep a constant passion and engaging energy throughout the entire show. Although this specific production is no longer playing at the Kennedy Center, the show is produced by other companies around the country, so keep an eye on other local theaters such as the Olney Theater Center. Until then, be sure to listen to the sound track, which can be found on iTunes and Spotify. Alabanza!