By Samantha Reyes
This May, Passaic High School brought the talented works of Lin-Manuel Miranda to Shirelles Auditorium through the annual spring musical. This year’s performance was entitled “In the Heights.”
This year, band director Mr. Rusca took the reins of the theater production at PHS. Rusca had a different mindset for this year’s musical with wanting to relate to the student body. Rusca decided on the musical made famous by Miranda, for which Miranda he wrote his own music, lyrics, and script.
With different styles of music included, the show not only won two Tony Awards in best musical and Best Score but also a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.
The PHS cast definitely had their work cut out for them but yet they persisted. With the help of choreographers Rick Delancy, former alumna Jennifer Sanchez, choir teacher Elizabeth Gauthier and set designer Holmes the team was set.
Auditions occurred in early January after break with the first musical practice soon following. The four main lead roles of Usnavi, Nina, Benny, and Vanessa were taken on by seniors Francisco Martinez, Catherine Sposato, Diolenny Almonte and junior Bruce Ransom.
Usnavi is a bodega owner who looks after the Cuban woman next door, whom he treats as his grandmother, longs for the girl who works at the neighboring salon and wants to win the lottery to escape to the Dominican Republic. Nina is a young woman who made it out of the Dominican neighborhood with top marks and a ride to the prestigious Stanford. Vanessa is a simple salon worker who wants to better her life while Benny is trying to become a businessman.
Other cast members included seniors Tianalee Bracho who played Daniela (salon owner), John Duran as Kevin Rosario (Nina’s father), Nazier Navarro as Sonny (Usnavi’s cousin) and Carla Sueldia as Abuela Claudia. Other major roles were played by juniors Irais Vazquez as Camila Rosario (Ninas mother) and Jessica Sanchez as Carla, Daniela’s ditzy friend. The two act show was put together over the course of about four months.
Opening night was a success, even though it was a school day. Despite some technical difficulties with some scenes the cast performed to their heart’s content and every seat was nearly full. The same success followed Friday night where an even bigger crowd appeared for the show. The second show was another chance to improve on yesterday’s performance and once again show off their many talents. The final show night is when the cast was hit big with every seat sold! Estimating about 500 tickets sold for the last show every seat was full.
Not only were the cast members busy but behind the scenes crew who made the production happen were as well. Stage director Arleth Cespedes alongside stage crew Richard Castillo, William Sinning, Alexis Hernandez, Jason Flores, Jason Sequera, and Kelvin Bracero helped move the show along with lights, props and mics.
The crowds loved every performance made by the cast. The opening scene for Act One starts off by Graffiti Pete, played by Rose Holder, who is seen tagging Usnavi’s bodega. The bodega owner comes just in time to stop any more graffiti happening to his store and breaks off into the opening song, “In the Heights.” All the other main and major roles join along to make an appearance for the opening song.
Nina, one of the female leads, doesn’t make an appearance until the second song “Breathe” where it’s revealed she left school. Nina expresses her worries over letting everyone know she left school and how they’d all react. After it’s revealed that she dropped out problems arise between her and her parents. These problems also cause a rift between Benny and Kevin Rosario.
Usnavi is handling his own problems with pinning after the girl of his dreams and figuring out who holds the winning lottery ticket. Vanessa is longing to leave the barrio and owning her own salon. Without spoiling the whole show the first act ends with the dual song “The Club/Fireworks” where a blackout occurs.
The opening of Act Two is quite surprising to say the least. Those who went to the three viewings of the show were shown a loving duet between Nina and Benny. Not to reveal too much, everyone’s problems soon fell into place with Usnavi ending up having possession of the $96,000 after learning that Abuela Claudia won the ticket who sadly passed away.
Abuela Claudia’s last wish was for Usnavi and Sonny to split the winnings. Usnavi plans to use the money to repair his shop and gives money to Vanessa to help her move into a new apartment. Usnavi also lends Graffiti Pete money to continue his work as appreciation for the mural he painted of Abuela Claudia. Nina plans to return to school to continue her education. The musical ends with Usnavi rushing to say he’s not leaving the barrio.
The show performed by fellow classmates and friends was phenomenal. At the end of each performance the beautiful acting, dancing, and choreography astounded the crowds. After seeing the plays, it is evident that there is a lot of talent roaming the halls of Passaic High School.
