Like most Broadway fans I love Hamilton (of course) but I also love Lin Manuel Miranda’s first musical to hit big In the Heights. In fact, I think musically it’s as strong as Hamilton with Hamilton having the edge in the book department (although this is still an entertaining book.) I’ve seen In the Heights a number of times and loved the 2021 movie that deserved much more love than it got. Today I got the chance to see a new production of the musical at The Grand Theatre at SLCC. It was a preview performance so it will probably grow and develop throughout its run but I still thoroughly enjoyed this production and highly recommend you check it out.

The best part of the show at The Grand is the production design by Caroline Cain and the dancing with choreography by Vincent Ortega. The Grand stage lives up to its name and is a lot of stage to cover but they did a great job capturing Washington Heights with the various stores, hair salon and limo service. The cast is large and the choreography makes it feel like a community with big bold movements. At times the actors do forget to walk through established doors and walk through what are supposed to be walls but that’s a small complaint for a wonderful set.

I enjoyed all of the performances of In the Heights but my favorites were the female characters especially Sophia Morill Mancilla as Vanessa. She has fantastic chemistry with Armando Serrano who plays the lead Usnavi and her solo in 96,000 is gorgeous. Sonia Mairtza Inoa-Rosado Maughan is also strong as Abuela Claudia- the grandma for all the characters on the street.

Director Vincent Ortega has clearly worked with his cast to develop a sense of family and community and that works wonders in making this production work. Even if a few of the singers are imperfect it doesn’t matter because that’s the way communities are. We are imperfect, unpolished humans and a home is where we can be our flawed selves. In a way the imperfections make the whole experience more memorable and endearing.

I do wish they had been able to spring for a live band. That would have added a lot but I understand not always a possibility. I also loved the fireworks sequence at the end of Act 1. Lighting designer Paul Yeates pulled that off beautifully. Tickets are $24- $30 which is well worth it for the quality of the production. Get your tickets here

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