“In The Heights” Review
Written by Ruth E. Contreras, 12/06/2018
This is a must see musical about love, laughter, compassion, and faith. The music is so moving, it makes you want to get up on your feet and dance. This is just a small insight into the exhilarating production of In The Heights.
In The Heights was conceived by Lin Manuel Miranda , with its original debut on Broadway in 2008. It has won two Tony awards for Best Musical and Best Original Score, along with a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Even with 10 years passing since the play’s original production, In The Heights is still raw, riveting and in line with the times, with threats of gentrification hovering over their community. At the core of the musical’s themes is proudly embracing that family is not just who you come from, but also where you come from, vividly spreading the importance of what love, culture, faith and community really mean. These themes are presented through the lens of Latin heritage, culture and pride, with vibrant choreography, salsa music, hip hop, rap and street art.
The setting takes place on the corner of 183rd street in Washington Heights, a heavily Dominican/Latinx -influenced neighborhood above Harlem, NYC. The Milwaukee cast (also including two Seattle artists) deliver jubilant performances, displaying a colorful, hopeful and uplifting view of their street corner.
In The Heights is currently running under the direction of May Adrales and choreographer William Carlos Argulo from The Milwaukee Repertory Theater, in conjunction with the Cincinnati Play House in the Park, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. In The Heights is currently playing at the Seattle Repertory Theatre, now through December 30th, 2018. Special rates available for students with valid student ID.