BWW Reviews: IN THE HEIGHTS Tour Flies Into The O.C.

Is it actually possible to like something more on repeat viewings? In the case of the traveling national tour production of IN THE HEIGHTS—now performing for a limited engagement at the Orange County Performing Arts Center through August 15—the answer is a very qualified 'yes.' That's quite a feat, considering the show just played an extended run in Hollywood at the Pantages Theatre, featuring its original creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda reprising the lead role. With Miranda's charms and undeniable hip-hop skills on full display, the much celebrated Los Angeles stop was a dazzling thing to behold. So how will the show fare without its main impresario dramatizing this entertaining tale of a New York neighborhood populated by a vibrant multi-faceted Latino community?

To be sure, the show itself already has the ingredients of a hit: relatable characters to root for, somewhat familiar story/book elements (you can tell Miranda is a Broadway scholar), and an exciting score that fuses the razzmatazz of classic Broadway with the vividness of salsa, rhythm-and-blues and hip-hop. As was previously stated in my earlier review of the tour's L.A. stop (linked below), IN THE HEIGHTS—as a stand-alone musical—is deeply moving at times, gut-bustingly hilarious at times, and is effectively brilliant at times. But what is delightfully surprising is how one develops a growing appreciation for the show upon the second (or third, or tenth) viewing.

Like an onion, there are a lot of wonderful layers of discovery to peel through with each performance: the clever word-play in Miranda's zippy hip-hop lyrics you may have missed the first time, the interesting details inserted in otherwise dismissed movements and transitions, and even the subtle social commentary that hits when you least expect it. And, all this, of course, is delivered by a truly amazing ensemble cast.

Now in its normal tour incarnation—one without the terrific yet somewhat distracting presence of the charming Miranda as Usnavi—IN THE HEIGHTS is able to bask in the merits of the show's own strengths, and creates a level playing field for the cast to shine individually as well as a whole collective. Though, when you think about it, aside from Miranda's absence in the O.C. version (as well as a few notable cast changes), nothing much has really changed within the show. It's has the same stories, the same amusing lines, the same creative songs and even the same gorgeously authentic Washington Heights set. But as it has proven, the show gets decidedly better with each viewing.

The most obviously noticeable change, of course, is the guy playing the lead role. Stepping up from his ensemble role in the touring company, Joseph Morales takes over full-time for Usnavi (both from Miranda and the tour's recently exited Kyle Beltran). Morales does an admirable job filling the shoes of our central narrator, giving us a more singer-trained take on the role that is only slightly different from Miranda's—and in a good way. This is not to say that Morales provides a better or not-as-good Usnavi; rather, he gives us a nice new alternative... a role he flavors with a grounded reality. Morales approaches Usnavi with the feel of the "neighborhood good guy," a very lived-in, believable performance that straddles between awkwardly adorable and reliably trustworthy.

Morales' delivery is less hip-hop and improvisational than Miranda's original creation. Instead we are treated to a great acting performance. Under Miranda's wing, he has appropriated only some of his mentor's mannerisms and makes his own Usnavi. In the end, we get a wholly-realized new take, where the lines are orated organically rather than just emphasizing where phrases land in order to service a dope rhyme. He had enormous shoes to fill, and he does it admirably.

Also new to the cast: Lexi Lawson—last seen at the Center as Mimi in the Anthony Rapp/Adam Pascal revival tour of RENT—now plays Vanessa, Usnavi's object of affection. Sounding more confident and engaging here, Lawson does a superb job opposite Morales. The amusing Christopher Chatman assumes the role of Usnavi's smart-ass young cousin Sonny (Shaun Taylor-Corbett has since returned to the Broadway production to play Sonny there). Chatman matches wits well with both Morales and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (who plays Benny) and rightly earns giddy laughs for his brilliant line readings.

Among the other cast standouts... Once again, Arielle Jacobs is magnificent as Nina, arguably the show's emotional trigger. She has such admirable control of her singing talent, that is a truly glorious thing to witness (and hear). Whether singing the quietest, most timid notes or belting the powerful climax of a song, Jacobs performs her role effortlessly. When partnered with Douglas Jr., the harmonies are sumptuous. As Nina's self-assured mom, Camila, Natalie Toro is fiesty and commanding, while Danny Bolero (as Camila's stubborn husband Kevin) does splendid, solid work. His solo on "Inútil" revealed new layers of guilt in his character, and was quite moving. And, as usual, Isabel Santiago steals the show as Salon owner Daniela. Her over-emphasized accent and priceless facial expressions are just sublime.

Overall, IN THE HEIGHTS remains an emotionally-satifying, powerfully-rendered musical that celebrates family, love, and finding the good in people. It also reminds us that home is not where you hang your hat, but where you feel you truly belong. Filled with funny moments as well as heart-tugging vignettes of barrio life, the show is rousing, energetic and creatively fresh, yet still comfortably familiar and genuinely heartfelt. A truly entertaining theatrical experience that transcends the ethnic or social-economic backgrounds of its audience, IN THE HEIGHTS does require an open mind as well as an open heart. If you don't happen to have either, you will after seeing the show.

To read Michael Lawrence Quintos' complete review of the L.A. stop of the tour, click: HERE.
To read the BWW Interview with actor Joseph Morales, click: HERE.

Top Photo: Joseph Morales as Usnavi by Chelsea Lauren.
Middle Photo: Lexi Lawson, Isabel Santiago, Arielle Jacobs, Genny Lis Padilla by Chelsea Lauren.
Bottom Photo: Rogelio Douglas Jr & Arielle Jacobs by Joan Marcus.

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Performances of the 1st National Tour of IN THE HEIGHTS at the Orange County Performing Arts Center continue through August 15 and are on Tuesdays – Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets to see IN THE HEIGHTS start at $20 and are available online at OCPAC.org, at the Center’s Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling 714.556.2787.

$20 STUDENT RUSH tickets are available for students 1 hour before showtime with required valid I.D. (Cash only, strictly one ticket per student, excluding Saturday shows). For inquiries about group ticket discounts for 15 or more, call the Group Services office at 714.755.0236. The TTY number is 714.556.2746.

The 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, August 14 will be sign-language interpreted.

For more information, visit OCPAC.org. For more about the IN THE HEIGHTS tour, visit www.InTheHeightsTheMusical.com.

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