In The Heights

In the HeightsUsnave serves his coffee light and sweet – but with a bit of spice. Condensed milk with a pinch of cinnamon is his secret to giving the beverage a little kick. The same could be said of In the Heights, the musical that stars Usnave. The story is simple, the characters are sweet, but this show has got just a little something extra that makes it sharp, witty and unforgettable.The truly delightful show that transferred to Broadway and is currently playing at the Richard Rogers Theater premiered last spring at the 37 Arts theater Off-Broadway. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also plays the lead character, In the Heights tells the story of a community of neighbors who live in Washington Heights. The tightly-knit community of characters faces various challenges and choices throughout the show, which spans two days in July. They tackle issues such as bad credit, rising rent costs, disappointing grades, racial divides and even hot weather.The vibrant, pulsating music, also written by Miranda, pays homage to a numerous aspects of Latina culture, including Dominican, Cuban, Puerto Rican plena, and others. The numbers range from hip-hop and freestyle to salsa, each brimming with as style and life of its own. Accompanied by vivid dance numbers performed with stunningly athletic choreography, the show is nothing short of dazzling. The full-company production of "96,000" in which the characters rhapsodize about what they would do if they had the winning lottery ticket, is a decided highlight of the evening.Usnave, who works at the corner bodega, serves as the narrator and central character of the story. The child of immigrants, he was raised by Abuela Claudia (Olga Merediz) who serves as the unofficial matriarch of the neighborhood. He struggles, both for finances and fulfillment, wondering what he can do with his life, all the while pining for the lovely Vanessa. Played by Karen Olivo, she works at the salon next door, saving her money and longing for an escape from Washington Heights and into downtown Manhattan. Her boss is the brash Daniella, played with attitude by Andrea Burns and the wide-eyed Carla, palayed by Janet Dacal.Usanve's neighbors also include the ambitious Benny (a charming Christopher Jackson) who works for the gypsy cab company owned by Kevin and Camilla (Carlos Gomez and Priscilla Lopez), and their daughter, Nina (Mandy Gonzalez), who, upon returning from her first year at Stanford, promptly falls for Benny, much to her parents' disapproval. Usnave works with his cousin Sonny (played in a scene-stealing performance by Robin de Jesus), who is also looked after by Abuela Claudia. Throw in a blackout, some 4th of July fireworks and a winning lottery ticket and you've got yourself a busy weekend in Washington Heights.All of the characters are struggling to figure something out – Nina, whether to return to Stanford after an unsuccessful first year, Vanessa on how to make it out of the barrio, Daniela on how to survive moving her salon from the Heights to the Bronx, and Usnavi, on whether to return to his homeland or stay in the Heights, running his bodega. Benny is determined to make it as a successful businessman and to woo Nina, but her father's reluctance to consider him worthy of his daughter proves to be a barrier in both regards.The main question haunting all of them is where it is that they belong. Many are first or second generation immigrants struggling to preserve their heritage and culture while adapting to their current surroundings. Whether fast or slow, a blur of hip-hop or a hopeful ballad, these songs are a brilliant blend of emotions both wistful and witty. In a duet between Nina and Benny, she sings fondly of, "when the world was just a subway map, and the 1/9 train climbed a dotted line to my place," and Benny responds with, "There's no 9 train now."While the conflicts do not seem as pressing or dangerous as perhaps , the cast performs with such joy and heart that it is impossible to not become invested in these people and their problems. The joy that they bring to the stage – especially during the celebratory Act II number "Carnival" is inevitably contagious.It is almost a shame how captivating the performers are, because it is difficult to remove one's eyes from them to properly appreciate the set they are performing on. It depicts a street in Washington Heights, complete with a subway stop for the 181st Street station adorning the corner of the stage. A stunning rendition of the Washington Bridge provides a magnificent background, if you can tear your eyes off of the actors long enough to view it properly. Luckily, there is no curtain and the set is visible before and after the show (a wise decision).Having seen the show in its Off-Broadway performance at the 37 Arts Theater, this critic was curious as to how the story would be altered to suit Broadway and is happy to report, very little. The changes that were made, however, improve the show significantly. The story is not tied up quite as cleanly as it was before – a few problems are left unresolved, a few characters haven't figured everything out yet. Three new songs were added, which enhance the characters singing them significantly, giving them more depth and development. But the true success of the show off-Broadway – it's infectious, lively, bubbling spirit – remains. When the show ends, the ending is not a completely happy one. All of the problems are not resolved. But the infectious spirit of celebration that permeates every aspect of the performance remains – and hopefully departs the theater with the audience.A solidly entertaining and truly delightful production, it is good to see In The Heights find its home on Broadway.