Modern 'In the Heights' revels in old-fashioned heart

Posted December 17, 2009 10:00 pm

By Scott C. Morgan

Elise Santor and Kyle Beltran co-star in "In the Heights," now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through Sunday, Jan. 3.

Temperatures may be dipping into single digits around Chicago, but things are definitely hot, hot, hot on the stage of the Cadillac Palace Theatre - all because the Broadway musical "In the Heights" has hit town.

This top-notch national tour of the four-time Tony Award-winning musical pulsates with a contagious heat wave of youthful energy and enthusiasm. And that's not just because it's set in the middle of July in the heavily Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights on the northern tip of Manhattan.

"In the Heights" is the brainchild of the dynamic composer/lyricist/actor Lin-Manuel Miranda (who isn't even age 30 yet!) and playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes. Together, they've teamed up to make modern-day rap, Latin salsa and pop harmoniously meld with the well-worn traditions of the Broadway musical.

Director Thomas Kail and choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler make certain that "In the Heights" speeds along with big city rhythms and vibrant movements that are very hip, very Latin and very now. But they also highlight the show's old-fashioned heart, which is essentially a love letter to immigrants and their pursuit of the American Dream.

From the outset, the young corner bodega store owner Usnavi (a very adept Kyle Beltran) shoos away a graffiti tagger to boastfully introduce audiences to the strivers and dreamers in his neighborhood. It's important not to cough or lose focus, since Beltran's Usnavi delivers a rapid-fire rap that doesn't wait for lollygaggers who aren't willing to keep pace with him.

Usnavi dreams with his "grandma" Abuela Claudia (Elise Santora) about returning to his late parents' home in the Dominican Republic, all the while dealing with the smart-aleck jabs from his pushy underage cousin Sonny (wonderful comic timing from Shaun Taylor-Corbett).

Usnavi also secretly pines for neighboring hairdresser Vanessa (Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer), who is desperate to get out of the neighborhood and into her own condo. Meanwhile her gossipy salon co-workers Daniela (a very sassy Isabel Santiago) and Carla (a great slow-on-the-uptake turn from Genny Lis Padilla) worry about rising retail rent that might force them to relocate to (oh no!) The Bronx.

But where the most conflict comes in is with the Rasario family. Daughter Nina (a cute Arielle Jacobs) comes home from Stanford University with a secret she's been hiding. Nina's parents, Kevin and Camila (Daniel Bolero and Natalie Toro), get worked up when they find out. Even more explosions come when Nina starts falling for her father's employee, Benny (an earnest Rogelio Douglas Jr.).

On top of all this drama, one of these characters has also purchased a winning lottery ticket for $96,000. Just who will get the money and how it will be used becomes a conflict in itself.

If there is a flaw with "In the Heights," it's that the characters are so numerous that they can seem underwritten (or worse, scrape perilously close to caricature). Hudes also bounces around so quickly from character to character in the script that you might want to watch out for ricochet.

Despite the short-attention-span structure of "In the Heights," the hearts of the creative team and the dedicated performers are all certainly in the right place. You truly identify with the dramas of these diverse, yet everyday New Yorkers.

Just like David Baida's beaming take on the Piragua Guy (the singing guy who sells shaved ice treats), the majority of the show should bring a smile to your face. Be glad that "In the Heights" has extra warmth to share with Chicago this holiday season.

Kyle Beltran stars as the corner store owner Usnavi in "In the Heights," now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago through Sunday, Jan. 3.

The 2008 Tony Award-winning musical "In the Heights" plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago through Sunday, Jan. 3.

Kyle Beltran, center, stars as the corner store owner Usnavi in "In the Heights," now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago through Sunday, Jan. 3.

Kyle Beltran stars as the corner store owner Usnavi in "In the Heights," now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago through Sunday, Jan. 3.

"In the Heights" Three and a half stars Location: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and select Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. select Sundays and Dec. 21 and 28. No shows Dec. 24-25 or Jan. 1; through Jan. 3 Running time: Two hours and 30 minutes with intermission Tickets: $15.50-$82.50 Parking: Nearby pay garages Rating: For teens and older

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