Review: IN THE HEIGHTS at Artistry

Artistry Theatre and Visual Arts’ production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights comes at a perfect time, especially here in Minnesota. In the Heights celebrates community, especially the immigrant community. Minnesotans are still recovering from the ICE raids earlier this year that attacked our immigrant neighbors, and Artistry’s In The Heights heals that wound a little more. 

The story is set in the vibrant New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights and follows bodega owner Usnavi and his friends and neighbors as they dream, hope, and work for an even brighter future. Maija García’s direction with Associate Director Nora Montañez Patterson, paired with Eli Sherlock’s scenic design is harmonious. The Washington Heights neighborhood is all there from the start: Usnavi’s bodega, Abuela Claudia’s home, and Daniela’s salon and Rosario’s Car Service with apartments above. The staging materializes that close-knit community feel and the congestion of NYC streets.

The cast is smaller with only 17 artists, which certainly doesn’t feel evident during the big, energetic dance numbers. Simply put, the cast is vibrant in talent.

Pierce Brown’s performance as Sonny steals the show with his physicality and comedic timing; Raquel Ponce as Nina brings such warmth and vulnerability; Janely Rodriquez’s Vanessa is spunky; and Jen Santoro Rotty’s portrayal of Abuela Claudia is heartwarming. The dynamic between Isa Condo-Olivera and Julia Diaz as Carla and Daniela is a match made in heaven. Chris Owusu is Benny, and Andrés-Román Wood as Usnavi is a cherry on top.

Vocally, the cast demonstrates impressive talent, though some of the musical choices were distracting, with many solos sung with extensive riffing, taking away from the melody and emotional storytelling of the song. Regardless, Ponce and Rodriguez bring tears to the eye during the powerful ballads of “Breathe” and “It Won’t Be Long Now.”

The best song of the evening, though, is “Enough” in Act 2. Lisa Vogel balances her powerful vocal talent and technique with the exasperation, frustration, and love Camila is feeling in that moment stunningly well. It’s a moment every person in the audience is waiting for, whether they know it's coming or not, and Vogel executes it perfectly.

Vogel’s chemistry with Pedro R. Bayón is a serene balance, and you can feel Bayón’s fatherly and family-first love throughout his performance as Kevin.

This production reminds audiences how important community is and how, without it, we are nothing. It’s a fact the Minneapolis community lived earlier this year. This is a show for that community and a show that celebrates what we continue to fight for.

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