Review: 'In the Heights' by Landmark Community Theatre

Dedicated to the memory of Senora Ana Molyneaux Guarantano and the beautiful Carletha Hawley

Thomaston, CT - Landmark Community Theatre is presenting a stellar production of Lin Manuel Miranda’s IN THE HEIGHTS through October 6th at the Thomaston Opera House and it is truly in the “not to be missed” category. I give this production such a strong recommendation not simply because it is one of my favorite musicals of all time, the music and lyrics written by the composer of HAMILTON are inspired, and the tale in the book by Quiara Alegria Hudes is a strong one. The LCT production is a must see because of the level of professionalism of everything about this affordable community theatre incarnation.

Lin Manuel Miranda wrote the earliest draft of IN THE HEIGHTS in 1999, during his early years at Wesleyan University.

“No Me Diga!”

IN THE HEIGHTS centers around the generations of New York City’s Washington Heights Hispanic community. The bodega coffee is light and sweet, gossip flows in Dani’s Hair Salon and in the sweltering July air is the rhythm of Latin, hip-hop, salsa, and merengue music. This is a tight community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams, and pressures.
The musical is under the inspired direction of Foster Evans Reese, who made certain that every detail was authentically Hispanic. As if this was not enough responsibility, Mr. Reese also served as the primary choreographer of the high-energy dance numbers and the audience appreciated every move of the talented dancers. The steps of both the featured dancers and the leading performers were simply a joy to behold. Mr. Reese credits cast members Joshua Colon and Janina Rosa as his co-choreographers.

To my mind, the music direction by Sean Lewis ensured that the fantastic score sounded exactly as Mr. Miranda intended, if a bit overpowering in the first act. Musicians in the unseen orchestra included Meric Martin shining on the guitar, Dave Wilson on his drums, Bob Delagrange on trumpet and Charley Marenghi on trombone. Mr. Lewis conducted and played keyboard 1 with Chris Dabbo on keyboard 2, Paul Bilodeau was on bass, Joe Patassi was on percussion and John Cizik played woodwinds.

I knew that this production marked my fourth time seeing IN THE HEIGHTS, but I quickly realized that the previous three had been presented entirely by young performers. So I completely appreciated the fact that the director had assembled the most talented actors of the correct generation to fill the roles of the Washington Heights residents.

Landmark reports that past performers reside throughout Connecticut and beyond, including neighboring towns of Bristol, Southington, Torrington and Waterbury to as far away as Bridgeport, Fairfield, Coventry and Brewster NY. Many chose to travel these distances for an opportunity to perform in this great piece of musical theatre in this historic facility.

The perfectly cast members of the cast of 26 were led by Justin Torres (AMERICAN IDIOT, THE WHO’S TOMMY, WIZARD OF OZ) of Torrington in the role of Usnavi, the corner bodega owner. I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Torres play this role when he was attending Torrington High School, so I noticed that this young performer now brought a certain maturity to Usnavi that made it even more memorable.

Jessica Irizarry of Wolcott made her TOH debut in the big role of Vanessa, the beautician with big dreams. I was thrilled to see this talented young performer on another stage, because I will never forget her past roles of Jo March in LITTLE WOMEN and the Leading Player in PIPPIN. So I was not surprised that she slayed the role of Vanessa and sang magnificently as she always does.

Destiny Whitten of Southington (WE WILL ROCK YOU, CHICAGO, ELF) tackled the role of Nina, a member of a second generation trying to get ahead. Ms. Whitten brought a freshness to the role, as well as strong singing voice for “Everything I Know.”

Steffon Sampson of Southington was wonderful as the outsider Benny, an employee of Rosario’s who falls for Nina. Robert Melendez (THE WHO’S TOMMY, JCS, TRAV’LIN, all at Seven Angels) was at his best in the role of Usnavi’s sassy cousin Sonny, and I am not ashamed to admit that it was his performance during “Alabanza” that made me tear up. These two young actors light up the stage in any role they choose to play.

The production team was lucky indeed to cast John Farias in the role of Nina’s overprotective father Kevin Rosario. A fifth grade teacher by day, Mr. Farias has the strong stage presence and beautiful singing voice (for “Inutil”) to do justice to this important role. He was perfectly matched by the performance of Patti Guarantano (TOMMY at 7A) as his strong wife Camila. The two made the perfect parents of their college-aged daughter with a secret.

Joanne Chenkus of Plantsville was the perfect choice for the role of Abuela Claudia, the matriarch of the block. As a retired Watertown HS Spanish teacher, Senora Chenkus had the perfect accent for everyone’s beloved honorary grandmother, but she also displayed a magnificent singing voice during her rendition of “Paciencia Y Fe” (“patience and faith.”)

“¡Alabanza a todos en esta producción que Dios les bendiga!” - Senora Chenkus to the cast in her program bio

The amazingly talented Janina Rosa (Morales in CHORUS LINE, Velma in CHICAGO) was perfectly cast as the salon owner Daniela, one of my favorite characters in the show. Laureen Monge (ELF, IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU in Goshen) was a riot as Daniela’s sidekick, Carla. Ruben Soto (DREAM GIRLS, MEMPHIS, BUDDY HOLLY) charmed everyone in the role of the piragua vendor in his fifth role on this stage.

Joshua Colon made his “first ever theater debut” at the opera house in the role of Graffiti Pete, the master of the spray paint can. As a dancer he has appeared on GMA, World of Dance, and is currently a halftime performer for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets; needless to say Mr. Colon is an outstanding dancer who made the role of Graffiti Pete his own.
Another amazing dancer was JP Henares, making his return to community theater after nearly a six year hiatus. Mr. Henares must be credited as a “very featured” dancer and I hope that he continues to appear on area stages.

Lexa Santos made her musical theater debut on this stage in the role of Selena.Isabella Andrade made her TOH debut as Dominique and danced in the ensemble, Alyssa Brown played Alejandra, and Paige Carusello (CABARET) was Rosalia. Isabella Carvalho made her TOH debut as Ana and Katerina Cyr played Yahaira, as well as serving behind the scenes as the dialect coach. Doreen Lopez was able to shine in her role as Dona Maria, a performance she sends out to her “abuela,” the real Dona Maria.

Kyrell Clemons returned to this stage to play the role of Romando and Shelby Davis (DREAMGIRLS, SISTER ACT, CHICAGO, MEMPHIS and director of RENT at Kennedy HS) covered the role of Hector Miguel Gonzalez. Amanda Shrouder made her musical theatre debut as Isa, Alexis Trice made her LCT debut as Mariana, and Shy-Ann Whitten, the sister of Destiny, played Valeria.

The costumes designed by Jack Richards reflected the culture and the heat of July in NYC, and included many changes and some fabulously bold outfits for Daniela. Alex Dunn designed the effective lighting and the talented artist Judy Touangeau is credited as the scenic artist. I appreciated the perspective of the set and the projections of the bridge and the fireworks. Shout out to Stage Manager Christine Mitchell-Robinson (Aretha in LCT’s WE WILL ROCK YOU, GODSPELL) on keeping track of, well, everything.

Resident Opera House Organist entertained the audience before the show began with carefully chosen musical pieces and it clearly added to the joy of the evening.

In the Heights runs September 27, 28, October 4, 5 at 8pm and September 29, October 6 at 2pm. For more information on tickets and group sales, contact or visit the Box Office (860) 283-6250 Monday – Friday 1pm – 6pm and Saturday 1pm - 4pm @ 158 Main Street Thomaston, CT 06787. Or purchase tickets online: www.landmarkcommuntytheatre.org.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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