IN THE HEIGHTS • R-S Theatrics

Life in the New York City borough of Washington Heights is painted with spirited strokes in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical, In the Heights, and R-S Theatrics brings it to the stage in their biggest show to date. Covering a few days around a sweltering 4th of July, there’s a jackpot lottery ticket sold, a blackout, and two couples who fall for each other, while the pros and cons of remaining in a tight-knit community are weighed.

Usnavi (Jesse Muñoz), Sonny (Kevin Corpuz)

and Benny (Marshall Jennings).

Photo credit: Jill Ritter Lindbergh

The winning ticket is sold from a local bodega owned by Usnavi de la Vega. Selling café con leche by the bucket, his is a popular spot in the predominantly Latino neighborhood, and Jesse Muñoz portrays this all-around good guy with an easygoing appeal, slyly wooing his love interest, Vanessa (Natasha Toro). Usnavi’s Abuela Claudia is the backbone of the neighborhood, and Carmen García was a highlight, with rich, powerful vocals and a memorable "Paciencia y Fe”, where she reflects on her childhood and her immigration to America. Anna Skidis Vargas is always a vocal standout, and here she shines as Daniela, a salon owner and local gossip, delivering a solid "No Me Diga" and "Carnaval del Barrio". A very funny Gabriela Diaz is Carla, an employee at the salon, and Diaz and Vargas sound wonderful together, and provide a fair share of the laughs, along with Kevin Corpuz in a buoyant performance as Usnavi’s flirtatious young cousin, Sonny. It was good to see Marshall Jennings in the well-deserved role of Benny, who works at a taxicab dispatch. Marshall’s got a splendid voice and possesses a lovable charm, winning the heart of the dispatch owner’s daughter Nina, played beautifully by Cassandra Lopez. Nina is feisty with her father, Kevin (Jaime Zayas), who doesn’t approve of Benny because he’s not Latino, but leave it to Nina’s mother, Camila (Maritza Motta-Gonzalez), to get her family in line.

Carla (Gabriela Diaz), Daniela (Anna Skidis Vargas)

and Vanessa (Natasha Toro).

Photo credit: Jill Ritter Lindbergh

Miranda has a brilliant, natural sense for syncopated verse that is evident here, and later in his groundbreaking Broadway mega-hit, Hamilton. Unfortunately, some of those rhymes were drowned out by the band and hampered by pesky mic issues that will no doubt smooth out over the course of the run. Christina Rios directs the show, setting up some nice tableaus throughout, with lighting by Nathan Schroeder and costumes by Sarah Porter. Cecily A. King provides big, dynamic choreography, and good use is made of small set pieces that were brought in and out to represent Usnavi’s bodega stand and the Rosario’s taxi dispatch.

Abuela Claudia (Carmen García).

Photo credit: Jill Ritter Lindbergh

R-S Theatrics is an ambitious company, and its artistic
director, Rios, gives zero f’s about how big a show is. To her credit, if she wants to stage it, she’ll stage it, and this production has paid off with an entire runs that’s sold out. They added a performance on the 24th (tonight!), so snag a ticket if you can. It’s playing until the 3rd.

Incidentals

• This is the first show produced in R-S Theatrics’ new home in residence at the .ZACK Performing Arts Incubator space, but this space presents a challenge -- columns. Take care to sit where they won’t obstruct your view.

IN THE HEIGHTS

Music/lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes 

Directed by Christina Rios

.ZACK, 3224 Locust Street

through September 3 | tickets: $15 - $25

Performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm

Added performance: August 24 at 8pm

Benny (Marshall Jennings) and Nina (Cassandra Lopez).

Photo credit: Jill Ritter Lindbergh

Cast

Usnavi de la Vega: Jesse Muñoz

Nina Rosario: Cassandra Lopez

Kevin Rosario: Jaime Zayas

Camila Rosario: Maritza Motta-Gonzalez

Benny: Marshall Jennings

Vanessa: Natasha Toro

Sonny: Kevin Corpuz

Abuela Claudia: Carmen García

Daniela: Anna Skidis Vargas

Carla: Gabriela Diaz

Graffiti Pete: Karl Hawkins

Piragüero: Kelvin Urday

Claudia’s Mother: Cecily A. King

Young Claudia: Alora Marguerite

Teen Claudia: Isabel García

Vanessa (Natasha Toro), Benny (Marshall Jennings),

Usnavi (Jesse Muñoz) and cast.

Photo credit: Jill Ritter Lindbergh

Ensemble

Mara Bollini

Antonio Daniels-Braziel

Melissa Felps

Evan Fornachon

Chris Kernan

Grace Langford

Sara Rae Womack

Creative

Musical Director: Leah Luciano

Stage Manager: Elizabeth Van Pelt

Assistant Stage Manager: Rhiannon Creighton

Assistant Stage Manager: Angel Eberhardt

Assistant Stage Manager: Amy Riddle

Choreographer: Cecily A. King

Dance Captains: Kevin Corpuz and Melissa Felps

Fight Choreographer: Mark Kelley

Fight Captain: Sara Rae Womack

Scenic Designer: Keller Ryan

Lighting Designer: Nathan Schroeder

Costumer Designer: Sarah Porter

Sound Designer: Mark Kelley

Technical Director: Keller Ryan

Light Board Operator: Erin Riley

Production Interns: Isabel García and Sophia Gotto

Graffiti Artist: Bryan Pease

Artistic Director: Christina Rios

Orchestra

Keyboard 1: Nick Moramarco

Trumpet: Ron Foster

Reeds: J.D. Tolman

Drums: Mike Hansen

Percussion: Peter Gunn

Guitar: D. Mike Bauer

Bass: Devin Lowe

Trombone: Kayla Nogle

Conductor/Keyboard 2: Leah Luciano