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Broadway hit 'In the Heights' starting its national tour in Tampa
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
The title refers to New York's Washington Heights neighborhood, a barrio teeming with family-owned businesses built by Hispanic immigrants and their children. Everyone aspires to something better, and they all know it's possible in America.
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Published: October 22, 2009
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The Broadway hit "In the Heights" has won a slew of awards for chasing down and delivering the American dream to theatergoers. Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda's vibrant, Latino-inspired musical speaks of the familiar themes of family, opportunity and hope.
Now fresh from Broadway, the show's national tour begins Tuesday in Tampa at the Performing Arts Center.
The title refers to New York's Washington Heights neighborhood, a barrio teeming with family-owned businesses built by Hispanic immigrants and their children. Central to the story are the owners of a taxi service, who struggled to put their daughter through college — the first in her family to go. Another family owns a beauty salon and a third runs a bodega. Everyone aspires to something better, and they all know it's possible in America.
"They're all dealing with a changing financial landscape," said Quiara Alegría Hudes, who wrote the book for "Heights." "It has a ripple effect on the families. Some businesses close, some survive."
The multigenerational story is relevant to both Miranda, who grew up in Washington Heights, and to author/playwright Hudes, whose Puerto Rican parents settled in Philadelphia. Miranda wrote a first draft of "Heights" in 1999 during his sophomore year at Wesleyan University. He based the characters and storyline on personal experiences and observations.
Through the next several years, the work developed into a series of successful stagings. Eventually, Miranda and Hudes met and collaborated to fine-tune the production that reached off-Broadway and then Broadway in 2008. While he focused on the music and lyrics, Hudes fleshed out the story and dialogue.
"The first thing Lin told me was that he wanted the music to sound like it sounds walking down a block in his neighborhood," said Hudes, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee. "When I came on board, the story was very different; it was a love story. I said we needed to connect the characters to the American dream. (So) I brought that family business angle to the story. I tried to conjure characters that are inspired by different elements of a community."
She added, "It was what I related to and what my parents related to."
Cast member Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, who plays Vanessa, also feels a close connection with the musical. Her character works in the salon and the mother drinks away their money. Vanessa is determined to leave the neighborhood.
"The story is based on difficulties that Latinos had to go through when they came to the States," said Gonzalez-Nacer, who grew up in Miami. "Both my parents are Cuban. Their story is represented in the show. They had to work really hard, learn a new language, make their own business. The mom and dad that own the car service remind me so much of my parents."
Although "Heights" focuses on a specific ethnic community, its heart beats for folks from all backgrounds.
"In the previews on Broadway, there would be one show where I'd be sitting next to a Latino family and there would be a lot of pride. The next show I sat next to a Jewish man who I didn't know, and he turned to me after one song and said, 'That's my nana.' It's about families. Everyone finding something they can relate to in their own family," Hudes said.
THEATER PREVIEW
'In the Heights'
WHEN: Tuesday through Nov. 1; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Morsani Hall, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa
HOW MUCH: $38.50 to $72.50; call (813) 229-7827 or visit www.tbpac.org
BROADWAY BY THE BAY
"In the Heights" is the first show of the Broadway season at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. The season continues through June with the following lineup:
"Wonderland" (Nov. 24 to Jan. 3): Billed as "Alice's new musical adventure," this locally produced world premiere was inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll. ($38.50 and up)
"South Pacific" (Jan. 12-17): A revival of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic about tropical island romance during World War II. ($38.50 and up)
"Wicked" (Feb. 3-28): The award winning musical about two girls who grow up to be the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch from "The Wizard of Oz." ($50 and up)
"Godspell" (Feb. 9 to May 16): Popular songs enliven this uplifting musical based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew. ($31.50 and up)
"Little House on the Prairie" (March 2-7): Musical based on the beloved book series celebrates the pioneering spirit, core American values and the power of family. ($38.50 and up)
"Cirque Dreams Illumination" (March 23-28): An international cast of world-class acrobats, athletes, musicians and one-of-a-kind artists populate this imaginative, colorful production. ($39.50 and up)
"Mary Poppins" (May 20 to June 6): Everyone's favorite nanny comes to town in the most delightful way — with a show full of sing-along songs. ($23.50 and up)
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