Theater Review: 'In The Heights' by Get Up Stage Company

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member Nancy Sasso Janis

Get Up Stage Company is filling the stage at Rockwell Theatre with a joyous celebration of Lin- Manuel Miranda’s first musical “In The Heights.” The musical has a concept, music, and lyrics by Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes.

While the story is essentially a romance, the musical is also a high energy celebration of Latinx community, culture, and aspirations. The story unfolds over the course of three steamy days in July with well-drawn characters in the largely Dominican American neighborhood of Washington Heights in NYC.

Lindsey DiPietro is the dedicated director of the talented students, all of whom are less than 22 years of age. DiPietro has been working with the cast since late June. The young performers open strong with a tight rendition of the title song, which introduces all of the characters.

In his GUSCO debut, Angel West gives a wonderful performance as Usnavi, the role played by Miranda himself on Broadway. West, a senior at St. Paul Catholic High School, brings plenty of charm and a fierce love for Abuela to his leading role.

Alixea Reyes, a double major student at WCSU, is a lovely Nina, the first member of her family to make it to college. Arthur Sanchez-Leroux also has plenty of charm and a strong singing voice in his performance as Benny, the dispatcher wanna- be who loves Nina. The actor is a graduate of New Britain High and currently attends LIU Brooklyn studying vocal performance, with the aspiration of becoming a speech pathologist.

Alexaria ‘Xari” Chavarria, a student at NYU Tisch, gives a strong performance as Vanessa in her GUSCO debut. Bristol Eastern senior Emma Ayende plays the salon owner Daniela with plenty of spice in her second GUSCO show. Jenn Veloz Avila, a political science student at CT State, shines in the supporting role of Carla.

Shayna Swain, a junior at Bristol Eastern High School who has been performing since the fourth grade, is perfectly cast in the role of Abuela (“Paciencia y Fe,”) appearing older than her years as the honorary grandmother of the neighborhood. Michael Alexander Cordero is absolutely adorable in the role of Usnavi's younger cousin Sonny de la Vega.

Mercy High School in Middletown graduate Caissie Sanderson plays Piraguero and Avery Mooney, a UMass Amherst student, plays the graffiti artist dubbed Graffiti “P.” Julia Graham plays Yolanda in her first GUSCO production and Zachary Cudjo, a St. Paul Catholic grad headed to the University of Hartford, plays the great dancer, Club Guy.

Alyssa Velasquez does well as Nina’s mother Camila (“Enough”) and CCSU student Miguel Pagan plays her immigrant father Kevin (“Inútil”) in his third GUSCO production.

Kudos to the well-rehearsed members of the ensemble, including Amelia Brown, Brett Maynard, Lia Santana, Lilah Morehouse, Mia Lagoy, Anilah Rosario, Taina Mariel Espinosa, Xerena Torres, Harper Patton, Aibhlin Delage, Bryana Soto and ECSU student Brittany Cantres Cruz. Leah and Lexi are credited as pit vocalists.

Amy Kelly worked with the students as music director, ensuring that the students sing the challenging score with authenticity. The score beautifully blends the sounds of hip-hop, salsa, merengue, and soul.

Yahiry Pagan taught the students the correct pronunciation as the language coach. Nick Stanford conducted the onstage pit musicians while playing keyboard 1, including Clio “CJ” Janis on three different guitars. Kelly plays keyboard 2, Phil Plott covers reeds, Joe Hahn plays trumpet, Jim Lendvay is on trombone, Mauris Thomas plays bass, Mike Wyatt plays drums and Nico Ciampa covers percussion. On opening night, the entire cast cheered for the musicians at their curtain call, and the audience joined in.

Tim Nivison (“Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Arts at Angeloria’s in Southington) has outdone himself with his lighting design. I lost count of how many “wow” moments throughout the two acts that I noticed. Nivison also provided the sound FX.

I appreciated the strong choreography by Charlotte Pons for “$96 Thousand,” but many of the strong dance moves made me want to get up and dance. Chad Emerson was the head carpenter of the authentic set, with scenic painting by Samera Alyosfi. The director was in charge of the costume design that helped to draw the strong characters.

Pa’lante!

Remaining performances of this very professional production of “In The Heights” are Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the beautiful Rockwell Theater located at 70 Memorial Blvd. in Bristol. Tickets at gusco.ludus.com or at the door. At the box office, there are separate lines for ticket purchase (on the left) and online ticket check in.