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intheheightsblogproject · 1 year

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The Who's Who: Cast of Characters

Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) → moved to New York City with his parents at the age of 8; has lived with Abuela Claudia since the death of his parents; runs a bodega in Washington Heights, but dreams of moving back to the Dominican Republic to restore his late father’s bar; has a huge crush on Vanessa

Abuela Claudia (Olga Merediz) → never had children of her own, but becomes the matriarch of the entire block

Kevin Rosario (Jimmy Smits) → owner of the local cab company, Rosario’s Car Service; everything he does is for the benefit of his daughter, Nina – even if it means selling his business

Nina Rosario (Leslie Grace) → the first of the Rosario family to attend college; feels overwhelming pressure from her family and the community to succeed; her experiences at Stanford leave her questioning whether she wants to continue her education there at all; like a sister to Usnavi

Benny (Corey Hawkins) → runs dispatch at Rosario’s Car Service; broke up with Nina before she left for Stanford because he didn’t want to stand in the way of her success; heads back to work in the middle of the blackout after seeing the way the community is struggling

Vanessa (Melissa Barrera) → works at Daniela’s salon, but dreams of leaving Washington Heights to become a successful fashion designer; despite saving up money to move to a new apartment downtown, she is unable to do so without a cosigner; doesn't make her feelings for Usnavi clear until the day before he's set to leave

Sonny (Gregory Diaz IV) → works at the bodega with his cousin, Usnavi; his undocumented status crushes his dream of attending college one day

Daniela (Daphne Rubin-Vega) → owner of a Washington Heights salon that has been priced out of the neighborhood

Carla and Cuca (Stephanie Beatriz and Dascha Polanco)→ work at Daniela’s salon; always know the local gossip and share it with their clients

Alejandro (Mateo Gómez) → a lawyer who helps Usnavi buy back his father’s bar in the Dominican Republic, as well as begin the application process for Sonny to become a US citizen

Graffiti Pete (Noah Catala) → instrumental in breaking Vanessa’s creative rut and in inspiring Usnavi to stay in Washington Heights

Piraguero (Lin-Manuel Miranda) → sells piragua in Washington Heights, but finds himself in competition with a Mr. Softee vendor

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pika-ace · 7 years

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In the Heights at the Virginia Rep!!

Alright, I promised I would, so here we go! I got to see ITH at the Virginia Rep and in short, IT WAS AMAAAAZIIIIIIING!!!! I wrote down a BUNCH of little gems from the show that this version did so get ready, this is gonna be a long one!

But first, a picture of the stage for your viewing pleasure.

And now, without further ado! Let us begin!

First off, let’s talk about some of the interpretations of our beloved characters! (And here’s a picture of the program, just cause X3)

Usnavi (played by JJ Caruncho) was just so...so...adorably huggy as Usnavi! Like, every time he got upset I just wanted to run up onto the stage and hug him and comfort him, he was just so cute! And also very jumpy (meaning the dancing was adorable X3), like whenever Usnavi got upset or anxious his voice would slowly rise in pitch and almost sound hysterical and depending on the scenario it was adorable or heartbreaking :(

Arielle Jacobs as Vanessa was fab, as expected and I really liked her gentle tone. I only watched the bootleg with her as Nina once, so I didn’t remember what she sounded like, but she was great, that is all. Shea Gomez, our Nina, was also great, and GOOD LORD did she have some strong vocals on her! Her voice was like an arrow of pure melodic strength, it could cut through ANYTHING!

Josh Marin as Benny was great, his chemistry with Nina was just *blows kiss* superb. Same for Usnavi and Vanessa (I think someone said JJ and Arielle are dating in real life, but boy you can tell cause they are ADORBS!!) And OH, Melissa Vasquez Cartwright as Daniela, was the freaking BEST!! She blended the feeling of a cool mom and a strict authority figure PERFECTLY! Speaking of mom-figures, Yvonne Strumecki as Abuela was BEAUTIFUL!! And her chemistry with everyone was amazing (Paciencia Y Fe was GOLDEN).

James Schoppe as Sonny was great as well as Roberto Whitaker as Pete. But Kita Grayson as Carla was probably my favorite because she was SO SMOL!! Like, SMALLER THAN SONNY!! HER HEAD REACHED HIS CHEST!! SHE WAS TEENY AND I LOVED IT!! And her relationship with Daniela almost seemed like psuedo mother-daughter and it was freaking adorable!!

To finish this off, here’s a poster I bought! They had these in the gift shop and it’s autographed by everyone in the cast! (just the main cast I believe, but I’m not sure)

And now for little tidbits I loved from each number:

Opening

We got Usnavi running up to Pete from the aisle as well as ensemble members entering from there as well (a fav blocking move of mine X3)

Sonny ran down the aisle at top speed with his backpack and straightened his hat before coming in (you know you late, boy XD)

When Vanessa entered, Usnavi, Benny, and Sonny all peeked out the door, and Usnavi just put a hand on his heart and had this TOTALLY love-struck dreamy smile on his face and it was pure and adorable X3

Usnavi goes into the bodega a few seconds later and makes her coffee with Sonny while he and Benny basically prep him to go and talk to her (ask her out, dammit!!)

Breathe/Benny’s Dispatch

Sonny ACTUALLY kinda had a goatee but Usnavi grabbed his chin like ‘I think that’s fridge grease’ (typical cousin stuffs; I approve)

Abuela came out and called for Nina from the fire escape at the end of the song

Benny was just so excited to run the radio. He like rubbed his hands together like ‘Shit, I’m actually gonna do this!’

When Nina walked in, Benny just about started and just looked totally lovestruck at her smiling face

When announcing Nina, he pulled the microphone off the counter and wrapped it around Nina X3

It Won’t Be Long Now

Vanessa was not having none of the boys shit! She was just pushing them away and gesturing for them to get lost while she sang (like a BOSS)

Vanessa rocked a pair of shades as she pushed two boys away and flipped them the double bird...AKA THE GREATEST IMAGE I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!!!!

Usnavi attacked the boys with DOUBLE COFFEE POT ACTION!! And he even pretended to sheave them like pistols from a Western movie (I LOVE THIS DORK!!)

Sonny was basically standing by the door and giving Usnavi signals as he talked (Ultimate wingman Sonny strikes again X3)

Usnavi and Sonny silently fought over who would go into the store to get Vanessa’s things XD

Usnavi came back out behind Vanessa right when she asked ‘Does your cousin dance?’ and Usnavi quickly gave Sonny a thumb’s up and he slowly came up with an answer XD

Inutil/No Me Diga/9600

Kevin pulled out a piece of paper at the very end of the song, probably the offer from the company to buy the business (FORESHADOWING)

Just...the facial expressions during the whole salon bit, including the song.

Sonny actually danced with DANIELA during 9600 and Pete had a tiny solo with Carla

Sonny’s whole bit seemed to impress a few people, cause a few girls came up to him after Vanessa stated how cute he was X3

Paciencia Y Fe

Okay, this was the coolest number, in my opinion by FAR!!

There were stars in the background sky for just about the whole song

People came on with old timey clothes right off the bat and during the part when Abuela was singing about La Vibora, everyone was dancing together

But when the song got to Abuela talking about when she got to America, they actually had a younger dancer represent her as a child (her skirt had the same floral patter as Abuela’s dress

The dancer went around but all the people either refused to dance with her or drove her away and Abuela slowly following her younger self around the stage and it was just so cool because I’M ALL ABOUT THAT SYMBOLISM BOIIIIIIII!!

When You’re Home/Piragua

When Nina said the ‘Your bedtime’ line, Sonny laughed for a few seconds like it was a joke and then paused. ‘...not yet.’ And glances back the bodega and Usnavi (boy, you go to sleep at 8, don’t you? XD)

People are just walking past Piragua song and going down the aisle, acting like they see something, which happens to be OFFSTAGE MR. SOFTEE (that scoundrel!!)

The Club/Blackout

Abuela’s stoop steps lit up neon for the club!

Instead of a red dress (Yolanda had that and it was sparkly!) Vanessa had a short black dress with cool floral like patterns all over it.

Usnavi had, like, three shots with Benny and he was already tipsy XD ‘Sure, Vanessa, you can go dance with that other guy.’ USNAVI YOU’RE DRUNK, YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE SAYING!!

Sonny was in the club as well, and he was dancing with Carla and when Vanessa got stolen again for the men chorus bit, he was trying to give Usnavi signals of what to do while Usnavi just looked at him helplessly

When Usnavi started dancing with Yolanda, oh my GOD, the poor boy couldn’t keep up with her! She was TOO GOOD!

Usnavi eventually just goes to Vanessa while the other guy’s back is turned and just gently takes her hand and leads her to the dance floor for a nice simple waltz.

The same guy tries to get Vanessa back and Usnavi tries to stop him and USNAVI ends up getting punched first, prompting Benny to step in (if any of you tag this as Ben**avi, I swear to god... X( )

We actually see Usnavi run down the aisle during Blackout and run into Abuela’s apartment

Sunrise/Hundreds of Stories

First, can I just say, Benny shirtless was looking FINE X3

Sonny is the first to get to the bodega and just looks devastated and Daniela gives him a little comfort before Sonny and Pete start cleaning the trash

Usnavi came out when the song ended, looking all happy because of the lotto money and he sees the store and...ugh, it hurts; as in, his voice cracks when he says he’d like to be left alone with his broken grate D:

Usnavi’s voice was shaking SO BAD when he was telling Sonny to gather stuff up, he was trying so hard to be the bigger man and after the bit with Vanessa (poor girl hurried off stage almost in tears) Usnavi’s just DESTROYED

When Abuela asks ‘Are you okay’ Usnavi shows her the broken photo of the bodega’s first customer (AAARGH MY HEART)

The chemistry between Usnavi and Abuela shines like the SUN here! In seconds, Abuela has Usnavi smiling and laughing in excitement from the lotto money and it’s just so...so GENUINE AND LOVING IT HURTS

Usnavi’s voice just got so high and hysterical, he almost slammed the photo on the table on the line ‘the bodega’s a mess’ and Abuela calmed him down

‘Remember the story of your name’ and Usnavi lets out a mix between a laugh and sob that just hurt my soul

Carnival Del Barrio

Pete swept dust onto Carla and she sprayed him with a little spray bottle in retaliation XD

Sonny and Vanessa looked just about CRUSHED when Usnavi made the announcement. They both went to each other and were frantically talking

I swear, I could see Sonny saying stuff like ‘What about me?’ ‘What about the bodega?’ before going and sulking on the steps of the stage (Usnavi even tries to cheer him up a bit with his Dominican flag X3)

Benny looks embarrassed a bit when he and Nina are found out but he eventually turns sheepish and it looks adorable X3 (Also, Sonny was SO SALTY! Like he looked at Benny with spread arms like ‘What the hell, man??)

FLAG FREAKING EVERYWHERE!! DR, PR, Cuba, you name it!

Usnavi gets Sonny and Vanessa to actually cheer up and Sonny and Benny hang a GIANT ASS DOMINICAN FLAG BETWEEN THE BODEGA AND THE STOOP FROM THE FIRE ESCAPES!! THE CULTURAL PRIDE WAS THROUGH THE GOD DAMN ROOF!!

Alabanza/Everything I Know

As usual, Usnavi was trying SO HARD not to break down

‘She was just here’ Usnavi gestures to the spot on the stoop where she sat (Whoops, there goes my soul)

Sonny came forward and gave Usnavi’s hand a squeeze

Benny and Nina were front and center stage during the big part of Alabanza, in each other’s arms, but the main spotlight stayed on Usnavi

During ‘Everything’ Usnavi leaves the scene in legit TEARS. Like, he can barely speak

Song ends with Nina in tears, holding the folder of keepsakes to her chest

Champagne/When the Sun Goes Down/Finale

Sonny walks into the store and just doesn’t acknowledge Usnavi. ‘C’mon Sonny, don’t be like that; don’t act like you can’t hear me.’

Sonny actually goes into the backroom for a minute and comes out drinking Cola Champagne before talking to Usnavi (Sonny, you little shit!!)

The whole ‘I’m freeing you’ but sounded a lot more genuine and heartfelt. It almost felt like Usnavi was saying, ‘You’re grown up now, it’s time for me to let you go’

Usnavi opens his arms for a hug before Sonny leaves but he doesn’t go for it DX

Sonny goes, ‘This is the end of an era’ and does a fake echo effect on the word era XD

Usnavi just about throws the rag away when Vanessa says ‘we got a date’ XD

Usnavi’s voice cracks again on ‘It’s been a long day’ (STOP PLAYING WITH MY FEELS, SHOW!!)

Speaking of voice cracks, Benny sounds like he’s on the verge of tears when singing to Nina :’(

When the mural bit happens, Usnavi stops Sonny, puts a hand on his heart, touches Sonny’s heart and then sends him off (MY BOYS!! :D)

Bonus: Also, I think this version ships Sonny and Carla in some respect, not just because of all the dance duets they got, but because they seemed to be getting pretty cozy during the Finale (I couldn’t really tell from where I was sitting, but that’s what it looked like and I don’t know how to feel about it X( )

#in the heights #virginia rep #long post #but it was worth it #if you get a chance give this version a watch #and i hope we get some kind of boots for this for those who can't

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