An exciting, exuberant and uplifting “In the Heights” bursts off the stage at Pennsylvania Playhouse.
Energy infuses the vibrant and dynamic production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-winning musical, which runs through Aug. 10 at the playhouse at 390 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem.
Set in Washington Heights, a Latino neighborhood in New York City, the story centers around Usnavi, played with passion and conviction by Marquett Ferrell.
Usnavi owns a bodega in the close-knit community which is nestled next to a beauty salon owned by Daniela and Carla and a cab service run by the Rosarios, whose daughter Nina has just returned from her first year at Stanford University.
Upstairs lives Abuela Claudia, an elderly Cuban immigrant who raised Usnavi and is honorary grandmother to the neighborhood. Working for the Rosario’s cab service is Benny, Usnavi’s friend who has his eyes on Nina. Meanwhile, Usnavi pines for Vanessa, who works at the salon but dreams of moving out of the neighborhood. Helping Usnavi at the bodega is his young cousin Sonny.
Irrepressible.
Ferrell exudes an understated charm and wide-eyed eagerness as Usnavi, who is the glue that holds everyone together. He is memorable as he wraps his tongue around the rap lyrics of songs like the opening “In the Heights.” He is touchingly bashful in his romance with the sultry Vanessa.
Hailey Lara is strong-willed and resolved as Vanessa, She is heartfelt in her song "It Won't Be Long Now" in which she expresses her desire to get an apartment in the West Village. The interaction between Lara’s Vanessa and Ferrell’s Usnavi is sweetly awkward. And as Vanessa, Lara is a sensual dancer in the club scenes.
Luan Alves is adorable as Usnavi’s smart-aleck side kick Sonny. Alves gives the role a youthful cockiness that is a joy to watch.
As Abuela Claudia, Trish Kane Steele is sweet and stalwart. She is memorable in the determinedly hopeful back story "Paciencia y Fe (Patience and Faith)," and "Hundreds of Stories" with Usnavi.
Karina Hernandez skillfully portrays the conflicting emotions of Nina Rosario, believably going from despair in “Breathe” to determination in “Everything I Know.” She and Victor Abreu Jr. as the overachieving Benny have crackling chemistry in songs like “Benny’s Dispatch,” “When You’re Home,” and the achingly heartfelt “Sunrise.”
Robert Torres is brash and stubborn, but caring, as Nina’s proud father Kevin Rosario. Torres ably portrays Kevin’s different types of heartbreak in "Inútil (Useless)" and the devastating "Atención."
Ferrell’s Usnavi follows, leading the cast in the poignant "Alabanza."
Sharon Luquis-Nieves as Camila Rosario is supportive of her husband and daughter but satisfying puts her foot down in "Enough."
As the humorous duo of Daniela and Calra, Liana Donato is hilariously headstrong and sassy and Shy Patton is comically naive. They are lots of fun in "No Me Diga (You Don't Say)."
Joemichael Luciano Zaragoza has a fun cameo as the Piragua Guy, actually giving audiences a sample of his wares.
Keane Carrington shines as Graffiti Pete, busting some impressive moves as well.
The understudy cast features Sophia Candelo as Nina, Robert Morgan as Benny, Benito Ortiz as Sonny, Anelise Diaz Rodriguez as Daniela, Khylah Eure as Carla, and Ayden Gonzalez as Graffiti Pete.
The large ensemble is well used by director Jonathan T. Shehab in explosive production numbers like "96,000," “The Club” and the joyous, colorful "Carnaval del Barrio."
Ali Santos’ choreography is hot and spicy, matching the infectious Latin rhythms.
Musical director Julius Sarkozy keeps the singers in tune and Todd Burkel’s costumes are sexy and attractive.
Brett Oliveira has perfectly captured the feel of a small urban community with the two-level set of the neighborhood that allows cast members to climb up and down.
There will be a cast talkback after the Aug. 2nd performance. This performance will also be “Pay What You Are Able.”
The playhouse will hold a raffle featuring a gift basket valued at over $175, donated by Chipotle, Cactus Blue, Sheetz, and the Lehigh Valley Zoo. Raffle tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and will be available during showtimes.
All proceeds benefit our “Pave the Way” capital campaign, which supports improvements to the facility, including the construction of a handicap-accessible parking area, an ADA-compliant ramp, and septic/sewer upgrades.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2, 8 and 9; 6 p.m. Aug. 3 and 10. However, the run is sold out.
Tickets are $25 for adults; $22 for seniors and $15 for students.
For information, call 610-865-6665, or go to www.paplayhouse.org/.