Lyric Theatre Brings “In The Heights” to OKC in Collaboration with Zach Theatre of Austin
Cast of “In The Heights” Photo courtesy of Kirk Tuck
The music and lyrics of “In The Heights” fill the Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre at the Civic Center Music Hall. Lin Manuel-Miranda is an extremely successful talent and “In The Heights” is only one of the many exciting shows he has developed. Miranda originally wrote “In The Heights” in 1999 and began revising the script in 2002. In 2004 Quiara Alegria Hudes joined the team and wrote the book for the award winning musical. Premiering on Broadway in 2008, “In The Heights” earned four Tony awards and a Grammy. Miranda also played the role of Usnavi in the original production. The story revolves around a young man (Usnavi) who dreams of success as he labors at the small store his parents opened after emigrating from the Dominican Republic. They died early, and Usnavi was raised by his beloved Abuela, Claudia. He is smitten with Vanessa, a hairdresser in Daniela’s nearby salon. Across the street is a struggling taxi dispatch service owned by Kevin and Camila Rosario. They have worked very hard and with the help of a scholarship have sent their daughter, Nina, to college at Stanford University. She is due home for the summer as the play begins. Their employee, Benny, has dreams of his own, and those dreams include Nina.
These hard-working families are bonded by the love they have for each other and the dreams they have of achieving success. The glue that binds is Abuela Claudia with her wisdom and sharing heart. It is her strength that inspires and her conviction they rely upon.
“In The Heights” comes to Lyric audiences as collaboration with Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas. The Zach Theatre performed “In the Heights” to an appreciative audience in Austin before packing up and bringing the show, sets, costumes, and actors all to Oklahoma City for the week ending August 12, 2017. Many of the ensemble characters are Lyric regulars and they blend easily with the Austin group. Director Michael Balderrama also choreographs with Jordan Cunningham’s musical direction.
Keith Contreras-McDonald gives a very strong performance as Usnavi exuding absolute believability and control throughout the production. He is deliberate in his actions as his character dictates, and lends stability to the entire cast. Interestingly, he is a ‘rapper’ which adds a distinction to the musical score. Alicia Taylor Tomasko is the gorgeous Vanessa, the girl who is unattainable yet inviting, volatile and vivacious. Tomasko handles the role revealing natural beauty and great skill in dance and song. Fernando Acevedo is Kevin Rosario and his mellow voice indicates his gentleness and familial love, yet when he wishes to command his bellow becomes another kind of mellow. Nicole Paloma Sarro is the epitome of the loving wife yet no one can pull the wool over her eyes. Acevedo and Sarro are committed to family, neighborhood and one another and that shines through in their performance. Cristina Sastre is the lovely Nina, a somewhat ethereal beauty with unexpected steel. Sastre’s strength as a performer is not flamboyant but it is visible as Nina’s strength in life; bend when needed and stand firm as necessary. We see Nina learn this in Sastre’s eyes. Gina Marie is the exuberant Daniela, Nicolas Garza is the dedicated Sonny, and Vincent J. Hooper is the ambitious Benny. Hooper gently wins the heart of Nina giving her some of her strength. Theresa Medina is Abuela Claudia and her performance is key to the show. Her voice rings with fortitude yet there is a tremulousness that peeks through. She is prepared to leave when she is called, but she worries that those left may still need her guidance and love. Medina sings with conviction and joy, loving life, and loving those sharing her life.
Greer Gisy leads the dancers as dance captain and she is also fight captain. She is able to establish the parameters Balderrama conceives on stage and gives exciting motion to the dancers. This production of “In The Heights” is a credit to Lin-Manuel Miranda. The secondary characters and the ensemble perform together with flawless precision on the beautiful set designed by Anna Louizos.
“In The Heights” comes to Lyric from the remarkable Zach Theatre in Austin Texas and is fully realized with many of the ensemble members from Oklahoma City’s own Lyric Theatre. Clearly, Oklahoma City is not the only center of talent in the region—the folks from Texas are greatly talented as well and this collaboration is good for both theatres and both cities.
“In The Heights” is playing only through Saturday August 12, 2017. The curtain is at 8:00 pm both Friday and Saturday nights. There will also be a Saturday afternoon performance at 2:00 pm. Tuesday through Thursday the curtain goes up at 7:30 pm. The location is at the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall at 201 N. Walker Avenue. The Civic Center has three stages and “In The Heights” is presented in the main auditorium—Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre. For additional information and tickets please contact Lyric at www.lyrictheatreokc.com or call 405-524-9312 Monday through Friday afternoon. The Civic Center Box Office can also arrange tickets and that number is 405-297-2264. Or contact online city tickets at 800-854-2196 seven days a week. “In The Heights” is a modern tale with a familiar story.