Nyoy Volante's turn to shine

MANILA, Philippines - I first saw In The Heights on Broadway early in its run in February of 2008, while I was in New York casting the Broadway Asia tour of Cinderella. I was immediately blown away by the contagious energy of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s exciting music  a fusion of rap, hip-hop and salsa. It was a story close to my heart  about the importance of home, family and finding where you truly belong. I immediately put it on my bucket list of shows I someday would love to do. And that someday has come, some three years later, as I stage the first internationally licensed production of In The Heights.

In those three years, In The Heights would go on to win four Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It would take Broadway by storm and continue on to a highly-successful US Tour. And now, it is our turn to welcome Filipino audiences into the theater and introduce them to Usnavi, Vanessa, Nina, Benny, Abuela Claudia, Sonny, Kevin, Camila, Daniela, Carla, Grafitti Pete, the Piragua guy and the many other people who make up this delightful Washington Heights neighborhood.

The singular most important decision I had to make as a director in creating the show was casting the lead role of Usnavi, the rapping bodega owner who also narrates the musical. On Broadway, it was performed by its composer and lyricist, Lin-Manuel Miranda, in a definitive performance. How and where would I find someone who could follow in his footsteps, rap like crazy, and still make the role his own. The answer was staring at me right in the face a few months after seeing the show in New York.

While directing Hairspray in 2008, I watched Nyoy Volante bring exuberant life to Seaweed J. Stubbs. Even though, I had worked with Nyoy numerous times before that, I saw something new and different. Nyoy could transform into whatever role you threw his way. He also had enormous stage presence and could get the audience rooting for him effortlessly. I knew then, that he was going to be Usnavi. I gave him the CD and told him that when the time came, he would be playing Usnavi.

Nyoy has always been one of my favorite leading men. He started working with us at Atlantis Productions in the ensemble of The Rocky Horror Show, almost 10 years ago, before he would embark on an award-winning music career. He also performed in Dreamgirls, where he alternated with Jett Pangan as James Thunder Early, stole the show as Seaweed in Hairspray and showed even greater depth in the musical comedy opposite Nikki Gil in Legally Blonde.

Not only does Nyoy have a truly amazing singing voice, but he has amazing instincts as an actor. He has a sensitivity and intelligence that help him understand the character and relate to his co-actors. Nyoy is also one of the most generous performers I know, and one of the kindest people around. It is a joy to walk into rehearsals and see Nyoy, with a big smile on his face, ready for a new adventure each and every day.

I know I am biased, but Nyoy has exceeded my own expectations (and I think his own, too) of what I thought he could do. He is beyond brilliant as Usnavi in In The Heights. This man has got heart. Effortless is the best way to describe his performance. You would not think that Nyoy’s first musical language isn’t rap. He raps like a pro! And he has created an Usnavi unique to itself, but brimming with the same heart and soul Lin-Manuel Miranda poured into his performance. Nyoy as Usnavi is nothing short of thrilling. It is one of those career defining roles that after seeing him you won’t be able to imagine anyone else playing the role. I can’t wait for all of you to see him as he takes center stage.

He is joined by one of the most talented group of performers I have had the honor of working with. In casting the Manila production of In The Heights, I made a conscious effort to cast reliable pros along with many newcomers making their professional musical theater debut. The pros make sure the newbies rise to the occasion, and the newbies remind the pros of the magic and innocence of performing in a show for the first time. Jackie Lou Blanco, Calvin Millado, Ima Castro, Tex Ordoñez, K-La Rivera (a star is born!), Felix Rivera, Jay Glorioso, Jimmy Marquez, Bibbo Reyes (watch out for this kid!), Tanya Manalang, Altair Alonso, Johann dela Fuente, Japs Treopaldo, Carlos Canlas, Stanley Canete, Delphine Buencamino, and Reg Claravall fill the stage with so much passion and wear their hearts all on their sleeves. They are unquestionably in love with this show and in telling this story.

I am also surrounded by a Dream Creative Team. Cecile Martinez has created the amazing choreography that combines hip-hop, mambo and salsa and Ceejay Javier, perhaps the most talented young musical directors around, leads a 10-member orchestra in playing the Tony Award winning score. Jay Aranda designs the lights; Mio Infante designs the set; Twinkle Zamora designs costumes; Chari Arespacochaga assistant directs; and ManMan Angsico meticulously vocal coaches the terrific cast. They are all my collaborators in creating this musical — one of the hardest musicals to stage. But they have all made it easy for me to do my job.

As Atlantis continues its 12th year, we thank those that continuously support our shows such as The Philippine STAR (our partner for all those 12 years), Delta Airlines, Studio 23, Business World, Portfolio, Lifestyle Network, MYX, Hit Productions, Digipost, Media Magnet, MBC Radio, Mellow 94.7, Crossover 105.1, Burger King, Yoshinoya, Superbowl, Yellowcab Pizza, Old Swiss Inn, Wicked Kitchen, The A. Shop, Mandaue Foam, Inc., MAC Cosmetics, Mary Pauline Salon, Rejuvena Medical Clinic, AAP Printers, SJG Development, RCBC Plaza, the City of Makati and our loyal showbuyers and ticket buyers. The support of Rodgers and Hammerstein Entertainment and Broadway Asia Entertainment was also crucial in bringing In The Heights to Manila. The biggest thanks, though, goes to the man who created this landmark piece of musical theater, the phenomenally talented, gracious and funny (have you read his tweets?) Lin-Manuel Miranda. Gracias Lin-Manuel, con todo mi corazon.

I am extremely proud of In The Heights. It is a musical that is very personal to me. It touched my heart the first time I saw it and has continued to do so over the last three years. Creating this show with this cast and creative team has also reminded me how important it is to fill your life with good people. There is so much love in the room. No question about it, when I am in a rehearsal room filled with this much love — I am home! I hope you join us for this heartwarming musical.

In The Heights runs from Sept. 2 to 18 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. For details, call Atlantis at 892-7078 and 840-1187 or Ticket World at 891-9999.