In the Heights

6/22/2017

We drove down to Austin to see Zachary Scott's production of Lin Manuel Miranda's In the Heights for the Saturday matinée on June 17th. We paid $25 each for our front row seats. I love it that Zach has the program that sells cheaper seats so that us poor teachers can afford to go see some professional theatre. We have been dying to see this show ever since we were introduced to Hamilton. We still want to see Hamilton, but the closest the tour is coming to Waco is San Antonio and the tickets are so far out of our price range, it's ridiculous. So we'll just have to wait another 8 years for LMM to write another hit so someone will do a Hamilton revival and then we'll be able to afford to see that.

The curtain was up while we were being seated and I spent the whole time studying the set. The set was so detailed it was like a character all by itself. Later, when I took time to read the program, I was surprised to find out that this production used the original set designed by Anna Louizos. What a wonderful treat to be able to see it. The set was truly amazing. Here's the way it looked in the opening number.

The costumes were designed by Scott Westervelt, who is currently the wardrobe supervisor for Hamilton. I've been trying to find contact info for Scott so that I could ask for an interview, but I have been unsuccessful so far. Since I never saw the original Broadway production I have no idea how Scott's designs compare. I really liked the costumes. They were a wild mix of fun prints and patterns. lots of bright colors, and accessorized with lots of funky belts, shoes, and jewelry.

Keith Contreras-McDonald as Usnavi

Vincent J. Hopper as Benny, KC-M as Usnavi, and Alicia Taylor Tomasko as Vanessa.

Celeste Castillo as Carla and Nicole Paloma Sarro as Danieia

Nicole Paloma Sarro as Daniela, Christina Oeschger as Nina, Alicia Taylor Tomasko as Vanessa, and Celeste Castillo as Carla

Deiondre Teagle as Graffiti Pete

Vincent J. Hooper as Benny and Christina Oeschger as Nina

Theresa Medina as Abuela Claudia and KC-M as Usnavi

Michael Balderrama, the director and choreographer, started as the dance captain for the original off-Broadway production, and, after the show closed, went on to direct and choreograph the second national tour. He was also the choreographer for the Chicago production of Hamilton. Here's one of the really cool dance sections. The show had a cast full of amazing dancers. I know I keep using the word amazing, but I can't help it. They were just that good.