@KennedyCenter photos by Teresa Wood
Seven shows. Just seven shows.
If there's a creative and cultural soul of the United States of America, it's the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Right now, in the Eisenhower Theater of this storied venue, one of the most culturally-relevant stories - IN THE HEIGHTS - the Broadway phenomenon powered by the heart of Lin-Manuel Miranda, is in the midst of a very, VERY limited run of just seven performances... and if tonight's performance is any indication, each performance is an artistic tour of force.
Let's get the HAMILTON stuff out of the way... the DNA of Manuel's game-changing musical is alive and well in the cast of this company's rendition of the Broadway smash. ANTHONY RAMOS, from the original "HAMCAST" takes on Lin-Manuel's USNAVI. J. QUINTON JOHNSON of the UNIVERSITY OF BY-GOD-TEXAS and from HAMILTON, where he played Hercules Mulligan, plays Benny. You have to give 'em both props... their talent is on loan from Broadway... and it's truly next level. The cast - is truly next level. I mean, do you play the Kennedy Center if you aren't next level?
Nope.
But... there are two performances which really were resounding to this reviewer...
Vanessa Hudgens, who takes on the role of Vanessa... is just about everything.
Musically. Artistically. Culturally. She owned it. Don't say "of course she did..." and bring up her previous performances in any medium... she brought it in a way which, with passion, made you feel as you watched her explore her role. What she's managed to do as an actor is truly spectacular... she's found out how to take the pulse of the heart of her audience without the audience even knowing it... and that is truly magical.
And then there's DC-based actor Mateo Ferro.
Ferro is just 16, and is a relatively new talent on the scene, yet on stage nestled around all of these incredible Broadway and Hollywood superstars... you watched this young man perform with so much heart, you couldn't NOT root for him. And... he delivered in his role of Sonny with the comfort and poise of a master. Word for word, line by line. Song by song, he just owned the moment and wow... he's from DC's Montgomery County. This performance is the sunrise of a superstar in the making... and with the people around him teaching him... wow... buckle up, Broadway fans... we've got someone who is set to make some serious noise for quite some time.
Also of note to this reviewer (and his 14-year-old daughter)...
J. Quinton Johnson as BENNY was, "really good... he's good, he's powerful and a tremendous actor, I especially loved his Tiger Woods reference." Johnson was at home in this role, bringing emotion, feeling and an amazing amount of life to one of the performance's main story lines.
(Aside - This reviewer agrees... and was selfishly waiting for Johnson to blurt out lines from another musical we've seen him in, introducing himself as Hercules Mulligan...)
BOTTOM LINE: Sure, the musical has that Lin-Manuel-Magic going on. That whole HAMILTON "thing" is no doubt setting up this series of performances for success... but you need to know that this cast, anchored by the people bringing this story to life, truly represent everything that is good about our country during these uncertain times. They are all masters of their craft. Legit storytellers... and the telling of this story by this cast and company isn't just a good thing...
It's a great thing.
If you can score tickets, go... it will be good for the soul... and the heart.
From the Kennedy Center:
BROADWAY CENTER STAGE: In the Heights features Vanessa Hudgens, will take on the role of Vanessa, with Anthony Ramos (Hamilton) as Usnavi, Ana Villafañe (On Your Feet!) as Nina, local D.C. actor Mateo Ferro as Sonny, Eden Espinosa (Wicked) as Daniela, J. Quinton Johnson (Hamilton) as Benny, original Broadway cast member Blanca Camacho as Camila,Saundra Santiago (Nine) as Abuela Claudia, Broadway cast member Rick Negron returning to the role of Kevin, Virgil Gadson (After Midnight) as Graffiti Pete, Arianna Rosario (On Your Feet!) as Carla, and original Broadway cast member Eliseo Roman reprising the role of Piragua Guy.
The production is directed and choreographed by Stephanie Klemons, who recently choreographed the NFL Super Bowl ad featuring Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. An In the Heights original Broadway cast member and Assistant Dance Captain, Klemons has a long history with Miranda’s work, having gone on to serve as Associate Choreographer for both Hamilton and Bring it On.
The In the Heights ensemble includes David Baida, Nico DeJesus, John Edwards, Hope Easterbrook, Rosie Fiedelman, Henry Gainza, Carlos Gonzalez,Morgan Marcell, April Ortiz, Khori Petinaud, and Voltaire Wade-Greene.
Broadway Center Stage: In the Heights will be performed Wednesday, March 21–Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 8 p.m. with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25. For more information please visit the Kennedy Center website, in-person at the Kennedy Center box office, or call (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324.
@KennedyCenter photos by Teresa Wood