Stage Review: In The Heights

At the 2008 Tonys, In The Heights won 4 award, capping off the night with Best Musical. The show, about a vibrant Hispanic community in New York's Washington Heights, is still going strong, and recently added American Idol winner Jordin Sparks to the cast as Nina, the one girl who escaped the Heights for college... before dropping out and returning to the 'hood.

The musical was the brain child of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also originated the role of Usnavi (currently Kyle Beltran). Miranda's passion is evident in every moment, from the vibrant characters to the sense of family imbued in the neighborhood. However, some of the characters fall into easy cliches, and there's a thick layer of predictable cheese lathered on top of the whole thing. When compared to something like Fela!, my favorite show from last year and another "cultural piece" on Broadway (unfortunately closing in January, and currently featuring Patti LaBelle), In The Heights's specific flavor feels a little manufactured, watered down for a standard Broadway audience.

Regardless, every moment in In The Heights is soaked with emotion and heart, something that can be said of very few shows currently running on Broadway. The score is explosive, catchy, and utterly original as the first real hip-hop musical. The choreography, an interesting mesh of urban street and studio contemporary, demonstrates how the show throws together classic musical theatre with its own distinct vision.

Sparks has a lovely, if strained, voice, and her upper register is especially appealing. However, her acting is questionable. She certainly has pipes, but her emotional connection to Nina is awkward and inauthentic; Sparks cycled through a handful of expressions, and often seemed far too young alongside the rest of the cast. Beltran, also making his Broadway debut after originating Usnavi role on tour, is ridiculous talented - he's utterly charming, funny, and hits each emotion perfectly. His vocal parts are also the show's most difficult, hitting a rapping-singing blend; Beltran's execution is pro. Both Sparks and Beltran are at their best during a particularly emotional scene during Act II.

The supporting cast is all over the map - Andréa Burns is utterly hilarious as Daniela, as is Shaun Taylor-Corbett's Sonny and Courtney Reed's Carla; Marcy Harriell makes an unappealing Vanessa, while Clifton Oliver seemed vocally weak as Benny; and finally, Olga Merediz is one of the show's brightest lights, still starring in her Tony-nominated role as Abuela Claudia.

In The Heights could have used an edit or two before hitting Broadway (the first act is too long, and a few songs feel especially weak), but the show works beautifully as a whole. The cast puts their everything out on stage, and the effort shows - the theatre pulsates with nonstop energy. There might not be much going on intellectually during In The Heights, but its crowd-pleasing nature and raw emotion hits. It took me long enough to finally see this show; my only regret is having been introduced to el barrio sooner. B+