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Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. In the Heights Also see Susan's reviews of Waitress and The Bedwetter
Director James Vásquez clearly loves not just Lin-Manuel Miranda's songs and the evocative book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, but also the whole underlying sense of community they depict. Over a scorching July 4 weekend in New York City's Washington Heights, the mostly Latino residents work hard to find joy at a time when costs are rising and businesses are fighting to survive. Usnavi (Ángel Lozada), who grew up in the Heights and now runs his family's bodega, serves as the audience's guide to who's who and what's going on during the propulsive opening number. Shani Talmor's choreography excels throughout, whether in a nightclub scene, a celebration of neighborhood solidarity, or the smaller moments of memory. Hudes has woven together several stories, but the most prominent is the return home of Nina Rosario (Victoria Gómez) following a year on scholarship at Stanford University. Her doting parents, Kevin and Camila (Rudy Martinez and Crissy Guerrero), who operate a struggling car service, see Nina as an American success story but have concerns about her resuming her friendship with high school classmate Benny (Chibueze Ihuoma). Her parents employ Benny, but they think he is not worthy of her. Self-possessed Vanessa (Adriana Scalice)–a beauty admired by the entire neighborhood, especially Usnavi–is preparing to move to a different Manhattan neighborhood. She currently works for hair salon owner Daniela (Karmine Alers), who is about to move her shop to the Bronx where the rent is more reasonable. Rayanne Gonzales gives a luminous performance as Abuela Claudia, the honorary neighborhood "grandmother" who came to New York from Cuba as a child. This is not her first time in the role: she received a Helen Hayes Award for playing the character in a 2017 co-production of the musical by Olney Theatre Center and Round House Theatre. And that's not all. The story includes a winning lottery ticket sold at Usnavi's bodega, a power outage on a steamy summer night, and a delightful subplot about a neighborhood man (Berto Fernández), who sells piraguas, cones of flavored shaved ice, on hot summer days. Ivania Stack's costume designs are as hot and bright as the weather onstage: slinky, shiny dresses for dancing; colorful T-shirts and short shorts; floral prints and embroidered men's shirts. Musical director Angie Benson oversees eight other musicians as they perform Miranda's score in various Latino styles with hip-hop and rock influences. In the Heights runs through May 4, 2025, at Signature Theatre's MAX Theater, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington VA. For tickets and information, please call 703-820-9771 or visit www.sigtheatre.org. Music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda Cast: |
