It’s summer in New York, and the still, sultry air is filled with the sounds of neighbors chatting, lovers laughing and the omnipresent beat of hip-hop music that permeates the neighborhood of Washington Heights. Families navigate the pressures of generational expectations and small business owners find success in the relationships built over time while youngsters in love forge their own paths forward.
If you’re looking for an escape from your own summer experience, Cabrillo Stage is the place to be. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-award winning musical “In the Heights” (based on the book by Quiara Alegria Hudes) opened on July 12 to a full house and a rousing, appreciative crowd whose standing ovation and sustained applause told a story all its own.
Set in Washington Heights, a melting pot neighborhood of Puerto Rican and Dominican-American residents in upper Manhattan, the musical tells the story of characters like Nina Rosario, played with impeccable talent by Sofia Rosas.
The girl with the voice of an angel has returned home from her first year away at Stanford University and has to break the news to her parents (father Kevin Rosario played by Mountain Community Theater’s own Miguel Reyna, and mother Camila Rosario played by Brissa Nathalie Ibarra) that she has lost her scholarship due to poor grades (the result of working multiple jobs) and has dropped out of school.
This is Rosas’ debut with Cabrillo Stage, and although she has been performing for years in the Santa Cruz acting scene, her star turn in “In the Heights” sets the stage for a long and full career in theater.
Nina’s love interest, Benny, played with cheeky enthusiasm and talent by Trevor Miller, happens to work for her father’s transportation business, and Kevin doesn’t believe Benny is deserving of Nina’s affection. As Kevin and Camila come to terms with Nina’s predicament, they are forced to make difficult decisions that affect not only their family, but their community.
Bodega owner Usnavi de la Vega, played with explosive talent by Edie Flores, sets the scene for the musical with forays into rap and hip-hop that electrify both the Washington Heights community and the theater attendees. Dance moves and musical storytelling combine to make Flores’ de la Vega a juggernaut of the stage as he narrates the production, offering glimpses into the backstories of the various characters and tying one scene to the next.
The owner of the local hair salon, Daniela, is played with effortless vigor by Melissa Martinez, whose charisma and vocal talents shine brightly. Daniela’s hairdressing team includes Vanessa, played by Karriyma Pekary, and Carla, played by Alexis Williams. Vanessa is the love interest of Usnavi, and the two create musical magic with their interactions, while Carla adds a touch of girlish enthusiasm and hip-hop moves to her scenes.
Iván Dário Vielma plays the neighborhood’s Piragua Guy; as he spins his piragua (shaved ice) cart throughout the production, the only thing more invigorating than the tasty treats he sells is his operatic voice that shakes the rafters, creating heat that not even a shaved ice could cool.
Abuela Claudia is played by Lori Rivera, and the role is absolutely meant for her. As the loving matriarch who raised Usnavi and made the rest of the barrio residents her own family, Abuela Claudia’s impactful presence connects the past with the present, and Rivera’s read of her character is spot on, from her wardrobe of typical house dresses to the tender affection and generosity that she shares with those on her block. The passion with which Rivera performs is engaging and magnetic, and her journey within the musical is hypnotic.
Artistic Director Andrea Hart has built an incredible backdrop of talent for “In the Heights” and although she is relatively new in the seat, she’s just getting started.
“‘In the Heights’ was the top choice on my list for our summer show because of the beautiful and profound ways it looks at a particular community,” Hart said.
The community bringing this production to life is a mix of Cabrillo Stage veterans and newcomers. Scott Boynton designed the set that features third-story fire escapes where actors emerge to catch a breeze or check in on the gossip happening below.
Long-time Cabrillo Stage patrons may know Boynton from his on-stage turns (most recently as Kenickie in “Grease”) or from the many years he spent working in the shop alongside technical director Marcel Tijoe, making Skip Epperson’s designs a reality. He now steps into the lead designer role while Epperson leads the crew of professionals and students building the set.
In her directorial debut with Cabrillo Stage is the multi-talented Estrella Esparza-Johnson. Her varied experience includes a long history as an actor and creator with El Teatro Campesino.
Collaborating with Esparza-Johnson on the directing team is RJ Wayne, aka Ron Johnson, an alum last seen on the Cabrillo Stage as Tom Collins in “Rent.” Wayne returns this year as hip-hop specialist and assistant vocal director, working with the actors to embody the rap portions of the score that are part of Miranda’s signature version of musical theater.
Cabrillo Stage’s production bursts with joyous dance moves choreographed by Chris “Boogy” Marcos and performed to the combined rhythms of hip hop, salsa and Latin pop. Veteran musical Director Michael J. McGushin conducts the live orchestra, a key ingredient of every production since Cabrillo Stage began in 1981.
Cabrillo Stage performs in the Crocker Theatre on the Cabrillo College campus, 6500 Soquel Drive, in Aptos.
Performances run through Aug. 4: Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm, with a special matinee performance Saturday, Aug. 3. For tickets, go to cabrillostage.com/tickets.
