With the DC area trudging through record heat this summer—temperatures running more than four degrees above average, 29 days at or over 90 (according to the National Weather Service)— Montgomery College’s Summer Dinner Theatre is the perfect place to cool down and enjoy the heat of In the Heights with its high-energy cast directed by Lauren Patton Villegas.
The Tony-winning best musical conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, with music and lyrics by Miranda and book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, is part of the 47th season of summer productions at Montgomery College in Rockville. The play set in Washington Heights, a gritty, diverse, largely Latin neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, is the story of a tight-knit community; it’s a love story; it’s a story of family; and in this case, it’s a showcase for a bevy of vibrant young talent.
It’s hot—literally. This musical is set in the summer, and at its center, a blackout turns the neighborhood out to the streets with song, dance, and romance.
Samuel Gatica as Usnavi, the street’s bodega owner, is an absolute standout with his mix of swagger and sweetness especially when he plays against the charming and magnetic Daniel Kundrat as Sonny. Both of these multi-talented young actors are ones to watch. They were well-matched by Melanie Abad as Vanessa, with a voice that brought down the house.
Not to be outdone with her over-the-top New York City smarts is Alexandrina Calvo as Daniela. When she is centerstage in “No Me Diga” (You Don’t Say) and “Carnaval del Barrio,” she commands the ensemble with her presence, voice, and wise-ass asides. She transports us right into the center of the Heights with her style and lights up the stage.
Notably, all the ensemble numbers were hot, hot, hot with sharp staging and choreography. Especially noteworthy are “96,000,” “Blackout,” and the big “Finale” with Usnavi and company.
Heartache and joy live in the Heights too with Nathan Campbell as Benny and Daniela Lock as Nina, who tenderly unite against her parent’s wishes, and with Natalia Huitz Corvoisier’s touching performance as Abuela Claudia, as she shares in her notes a love letter to her grandmothers who emigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala and Columbia. The pushcart salesperson, a true New York City fixture, selling tropical ice on these hot streets, is played to the hilt with high spirits by Sam Perkins.
The overall production was top-notch—from Patricia “Pep” Targete’s range of choreography from breakdance to salsa to R. Scott Hengen’s street-smart graffiti set design to music director Zak Sandler’s swinging, trumpet-blasting, guitar-strumming, percussion-perfect live orchestra. This 14-piece orchestra, set back on stage for most of the production, steps forward at thrilling opportune moments with guitar or brass and performs with a whole lot of pizzazz from rap to Motown to Latin beats. My one quibble with this production is with some of the costumes—they do not reflect the style and flair of the many young women I taught at City College of New York in the early 2000s; admittedly, the sophistication of those street-wise students might have been hard to replicate.
Ultimately, this show at Montgomery College is one hot summer theater production. No matter the temperature outside, it’s worth going Into the Heights.
Running Time: Two and a half hours, with one 15-minute intermission.
In the Heights plays July 26 to 28, 2024, presented by Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre performing in the Theatre Arts Arena, Theatre Arts Building, Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD. Tickets ($65 buffet and show, $25 show only) can be purchased online or by calling 240-567-5301 (box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.).
COVID Safety: Masks are optional but encouraged for guests, especially when serving from the buffet.
