Tómelo por fe: ‘In the Heights’ at Marriott Theatre
The Company. Photo by Liz Lauren.
The key to composer-lyricist Lin Mauel Miranda’s pre-Hamilton extravaganza, In the Heights, is found in authentically presenting Miranda’s eclectic New York City Washington Heights neighborhood as a true, sometimes messy, extended family. (Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes.)
Such grounding is key to every relationship this Tony-winning near-opera explores: husband/wife, parent/child, love interests, work more-than-colleagues and particularly, the critical bond of community abuela (grandmother) to every member of her vibrant tribe.
The narrator of this hip-hop, Latin-flavored musical is Usnavi (Joseph Morales in the current Marriott Theatre production), proprietor of a neighborhood bodega that’s each morning’s magnet to the locals. They include the Rosarios, Kevin (Rudy Martinez) and Camila (Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel), who own a pre-Uber car service employing Benny (Yasir Muhammad), an ambitious young African-American man who crushes on their daughter Nina (Addie Morales), the neighborhood heroine who’s just returned with a secret from her freshman year at Stanford. Other “family” members include Sonny (Jordan Arredondo), Usnavi’s young cousin; gossipmongering hair stylists Daniela (Lillian Castillo), Carla (Michelle Lauto) and Usnavi love interest Vanessa (Paola V. Hernández); the delightful Piraguero (Andres J. DeLeon) and the insanely talented Graffiti Pete (Phillip Wood). The common tie to all is community matriarch, Abuela Claudia (Crissy Guerrero).
Marriott’s energetic new production, tenderly directed by James Vásquez and gloriously choreographed by William Carols Angulo, fabulously creates the summertime heat of the musical’s self-proclaimed barrio. Their 22-member cast of authentic triple threats is particularly strong in executing Angulo’s dance steps. Which is not to say acting and vocal highlights are absent. In particular, native Puerto Rican Hernández is exquisitely memorable in her Marriott debut; Addie Morales is at her best conveying Nina’s soft side; Joseph Morales shines in his tender solos; Castillo is among the finest comic actors onstage with a killer voice, to boot.
This said, opening night at Marriott revealed a need for some additional family growth for this Heights to fulfill its maximum promise. In this reviewer’s observation, the deep connectivity needed among the community collective wasn’t evident until the middle of the second act. One reason might be the need for enhanced cast chemistry, which will undoubtedly bloom during the run. The second and most likely culprit is audience distraction brought on by Marriott’s in-the-round setting, an issue not typically seen here. But an obtrusive moving threshold and actors standing where the stage meets the aisle cut views from patrons seated within five or so seats from the walkways. Also, the necessarily minimal sets make it difficult to quickly discern who’s who and how they relate to one another. Add to that Miranda’s quick (sometimes hard-to-catch) hip-hop lyrics, and it’s hard for patrons, particularly those new to the material, to settle into the production’s emotion.
But this should not be construed as a deal breaker. Instead, follow these suggestions to ensure enjoyment at Marriott Theatre this winter.
Purchase tickets greater than five seats from the aisles, particularly the aisle between sections three and four. The threshold is there to stay, and the blocking is unlikely to change.
Wait a couple weeks for the company chemistry to fully season and their familial emotions to begin at the overture.
Most importantly, before coming to the theatre, listen to the Broadway cast recording here, read a synopsis to become familiar with the material. As always, doing the work pays dividends.
No hay duda de que, con paciencia y fe, los clientes de Chicago disfrutarán de Marriott's In the Heights durante todo el invierno.
In the Heights runs through Mar. 17 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. For tickets or more information, please call (847) 634-0200 or visit marriotttheatre.com.
For more reviews on this or other shows, please visit theatreinchicago.com.