Sí Trends

New York City's Dominicans have finally made it to Broadway. It isn't that Dominicans haven't been occupying the Big Apple's most famous strip but it's just that they've been less synonymous with the area north of 180^th street. But writer/actor Lin-Manuel Miranda has brought his ‘hood south to NYC's theatre district (after an acclaimed off-Broadway run) with his musical In the Heights.

Set in Washington Heights, a mostly Domincan neighborhood, Miranda plays Usnavi, a young bodega owner who contemplates issues of love, family and neighborhood gentrification. The result is a multi-layered, multicultural piece that transcends racial and gender borders. The piece is anchored in its musical diversity; beginning with the opening number, "En Washington Heights," the play's score is a lush mix of salsa, merengue, reggaeton and hip-hop.

The set is one to marvel, as it recreates 180^th street, complete with bodegas, hair salons and the fictional Rosarios (the neighborhood car service). From the biggest detail (the George Washington Bridge looms in the back drop) to the smallest (the 105.9 FM "La Kalle" sticker on the corner lamppost); the set designers went through great lengths to achieve authenticity.

Through its infectious beat and breathtaking set, In the Heights follows an array of neighborhood characters who as likable as they are relatable. There is the brainy Nina (played by Mandy Gonzalez), who comes home only to reveal that she was kicked out of Stanford University. Then the beautiful and insanely sexy Vanessa (played by Karen Olivo), who dreams of leaving Washington Heights for a luxury apartment in Downtown Manhattan. Benny (Christopher Jackson) is madly in love with Nina, but because he does not speak Spanish, her strict father does not approve. Sonny (Robin de Jesus) is the youngest of the bunch and provides a ton of comic relief.

The ensemble is just as special as the "acting" cast. With a symphony of modern dance players like Nina LaFarga (who toured with Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lopez) bring the musical to life, displaying emotion that isn't spoken but implied through movement.

Taking place on the 3^rd and 4^th of July, In the Heights perfectly depicts summertime in NYC. You can feel the heat from the crowd that is until the Johnny pump is opened and the piragua man comes around. In the opening number there are tons of references that are distinctly New York, like the traffic that spills over from the Bronx to Harlem when the Yankees are playing at home ("Don't take the Degan/ Manny Ramirez is in town this weekend"). Even the piragua man goes to war with the Mister Softie ice cream truck.

In the end, In the Heights is more than just a Latino piece. The play tells the importance of neighborhood and extended family. Even while the characters do not share the same bloodline, they share the same block and come together to aid one another in there individual time of need. They laugh, cry and even "tear da club up" together (after a riot breaks out at local disco). In the Heights spreads love and pride that is vintage Washington Heights and ultimately brings a little bit of 180^th Street down to Times Square.

For more theatre news go to Papi Chulo's page.