Review: 'In the Heights' at Sacred Heart University

Posters courtesy of SHU TAP

“Paciencia y fe (Patience and faith)”

Fairfield, CT - The Sacred Heart University Theatre Arts Program is presenting their splashy spring musical this weekend. I got to attend the exciting opening night of the SHU TAP’s production of Lin Manuel Miranda’s first musical entitled ‘In the Heights.’ Mr. Miranda (you may have heard of his little musical entitled ‘Hamilton’) wrote the earliest draft of this high-energy show in 1999 and it played at Wesleyan University’s student theater company’s second stage in 2000. Quiara Alegria Hudes wrote the current book in 2004. The development of ‘In the Heights’ was supported by the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in CT during a residency at the Music Theater Conference of 2005 and went on to Broadway with Lin Manuel in the role of Usnavi and Christopher Jackson (George Washington in ‘Hamilton’) as Benny. The show earned 13 Tony nominations and won four, including Best Musical.

I have seen three student productions of ‘In the Heights’ and was impressed with the music, the dancing and the nicely crafted story. This show with a CT connection is a good one for young performers and the SHU production made the most of all of the roles and the big production numbers. That rap and salsa music has never sounded better in the hands of this musical team. This viewing reminded me of the importance of the “patience and faith” of Abuela Claudia in this story; I always tear up during “Alabanza” and this time was no exception.

The members of the ensemble danced very well and sang up a storm. Mark Bosse, Jake Doble, Grace Falvey, Andrew Patino, Ruthie Phillips, Jenna Sheridan, Jenna Larson, Samantha O’Donnell, Maria Ogundolani, and Julia Vezza were in the ensemble.

Sidney Choothesa, Cara Gileau, Sarah Possenti, Marissa Powers, Devin Towne, Amy Obraitis and Kristyn Velez were featured dancers. Freshman Samantha Lodato made her debut with spray paint cans in hands as Graffiti Pete, a role she shared with junior Serge Valcourt (Duncan in ‘Macbeth.’)

Kudos to SHU senior Stachakay Silvera on her very strong performance as Abuela Claudia; wow, can this girl sing! Another student who can really sing is Henley Solomon (‘Tick, Tick...Boom!,’ Judas in ‘JCS,’ Dan in ‘Next to Normal’) and this SHU junior was extra special in the role of Benny.

Chris Faccenda (SHU’s ‘Next to Normal,’ Jesus Christ Superstar,’ ‘Working’) was incredibly cute in the role of Piraguero (the “Piragua Guy.”) Piragua is a Puerto Rican shaved ice dessert, shaped like a pyramid, consisting of shaved ice and covered with fruit-flavored syrup that is sold from pushcarts.

Melissa Ferlo played very well the mother of Camila Rosario and senior Zachary Lane (Jon in ‘Tick, Tick...Boom!,’ Princeton in ‘Avenue Q,’ Macduff in ‘Macbeth’) was amazing as her proud father Kevin."Inútil" (Useless) was most memorable.

Leela Gallucci was memorable in the role of the very tall Carla and freshman Isabela Scaglione (Dromio of Syracuse in ‘The Comedy of Errors’) was just as good as Daniela. Minas Kostis, a sophomore at SHU, was a force of nature in the role of Sonny.

Freshman Rebecca Radisic made her debut on the main stage at the university in the role of Vanessa and was a powerhouse in the important role. This young lady knows how to make a memorable debut.

I knew that SHU sophomore Courtney O’Shea would make a fabulous Nina Rosario because I had seen her as Chloe in ‘Be More Chill,’ Kate/Lucy in ‘Avenue Q,’ and in the ensemble of ‘JCS.’ SHU junior Michael Villanueva (Simon Zealotes in ‘JCS,’ Gabe in ‘Next to Normal’) was a natural as Usnavi De La Vega. These two students should be so proud of the hard work they put into their roles, for it paid off.

Director Jerry Goehring always knows how to help his students to shine on the SHU stages and this time he cast the leading roles with his strongest actors and singers. Musical Director Leo Carusone worked with the students on singing the super-catchy numbers as well as the nine-piece onstage orchestra seated in various locations of the set. Choreographer Simone DePaolo worked overtime to construct the Latin dancing and it was thrilling to watch. Co-producers were SHU students Justin Weigel and Andrew Patino and the dialect coach Andreina Sosa-Keifer ensured that everyone who spoke got the Spanish pronunciation was correct.

Costumes designed by Nicole Jablonski certainly fit the Washington Heights vibe; the students playing the adult roles looked the part, while some of the skimpier outfits suggested the “calor” of July 4th in the city. The set designed as always by the TAP program read inner city with the help of graffiti artist Kwadwo Adae and uncomfortably warm with fine lighting designed by Jamie Burnett.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and she posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417