Lying in the shadow of the George Washington Bridge is the barrio Washington Heights. This urban cityscape is home to a primarily Latino population living a world away from the glamour of Midtown. Huntsville’s Broadway Theatre League presented Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes’ 2008 Tony Award Winning “Best Musical,” In the Heights this weekend. While the barrio presented through the story is far from glamorous, the show itself is fabulous! This family friendly show may be on the squeaky clean side of reality but the story and the underlying theme of community is real.
The Broadway show has been re-created for touring by Michael Balderrama. The choreography is a blend of Latin dance and hip-hop and doesn’t disappoint when it comes to energy. Perry Young carries the show, As Usnavi, the owner of the corner bodega, with a sincere characterization and respectable rapping skills. The score may not be what some people think of as traditional when it comes to a Broadway musical but with a Tony Award for Best Original Score it is setting a new standard for musicals!
Huntsville is fortunate to have Broadway Theatre League bringing in such wonderful contemporary musicals like In the Heights and the upcoming Rock of Ages. If you haven’t been to a show in a while and want to see something new and fun I would recommend getting your tickets now! If you are more of a Broadway traditionalist BTL can accommodate you with My Fair Lady coming in March. Kudos to BTL for such a extraordinary and diverse season!
Guest blogger for We Are Huntsville. Are you interested in writing a post for our site? Email katelyn@wearehuntsville.com.
