Into the Heights jumped into the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center with great story, song, and dance, all intermingled into a lively and energetic performance.
It has been called many times "light and sweet," as the musical is a story about life and love, friendship and family, believing in one's self, and having the motivation and perseverance to reach one's dreams. All of life's perils intertwine in the plot: unattainable education, sadness, addiction and financial stress, but the inspiring message of overcoming life's struggles persisted.
From the moment it began, I was intrigued - Usnavi opens the scene of busy streets, pedestrians, street vendors, and cell phones engaging a rap that flew off his tongue in rhythmic procession. The street corner vendors, those selling tee-shirts, and the locals pass each other in a clamor of cell phones displayed the New York flair.
I knew this was a musical I would enjoy. It was a modern-day story set in the city of life. The "costumes" were really just tight shirts and tiny shorts for girls, and long shirts and baggy pants for guys. Complementing the wardrobe was more of a Jersey custom: big hair, hoop earrings, tiny skirts, and high heels.
It was melting pot culture set in the American, downtown streets of Manhattan, infused with Latino flair. Many of the scenes included conversations embracing a mixture of Spanish and English dialects. The music ranged from Latin, American, hip-hop, as well as rap sequences—all flowing at a mellifluous, bee-bop pace.
The morning percolates as each character is unveiled in harmony, rhythm, and terrific musical numbers. An infusion of dance and humor was underlined with the daily troubles in episodic life.
The night before the Fourth of July brings many changes in the amalgamation of lives. Nina comes home from Stanford University, avoiding and ashamed to tell her parents, Camila and Kevin Rosario, that she lost her scholarship and didn't make anything of herself - as was expected and assumed. Benny, her parents' employee, falls in love with Nina. Benny has got faith and big dreams, but seems not good enough for Nina, based on her parents' ambitions.
The characters go about their daily lives of stress and gossip at the local salon. The intercessions of humorous lines and antics from Usnavi's cousin gave a light-hearted feel to the overall drama of the story.
The story continues in dramatic scenes of musical numbers and shindigs of song in the Latino-American inspired performance. The back-up dancers were amazing and infectious as hip-hop, Latin-infused dance sequences were included around every street corner. And one would not feel out of place by not dressing up - casual dress of saggy pants and short skirts would fit right into the New York/New Jersey scene.
I enjoyed every moment of this musical. The modern-day setting, characters, and clothing gave this musical a movie-like feel.
Girlfriends take notice: even the most chauvinistic manly man would enjoy this performance.
The infusion of different types of music ensured that each member of the audience would find pleasure in the ever-changing rhapsody. As one who enjoys dance, and the talent behind it, I was impressed by the background dancers, the characters themselves and the range of dance that was inspired. Behind every move of the song was a complementing dance to go with it - hip hop, Latin-style or the embracing of slow songs.
The entire musical was a melting pot of culture, music, dance, and vitality.
The next musicals in the 2009 – 2010 FAIRWINDS Broadway Across America – Orlando season are Xanadu, running from April 27 through May 2, and Spring Awakening, running from May 18 through May 23.
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