Dreaming in Washington Heights

One of the joys of watching the musical In The Heights is the sight of familiar faces stepping out of their comfort zones and emerging winners.

Foremost among them is Nyoy Volante as Usnavi. Who would have known that the acoustic balladeer could rap or that he is a fine sensitive actor? There is Jackie Lou Blanco as Camila. I have always known she could sing and is a good actress but she turned out great in her first musical. Also MYX VJ K-La Rivera, a pretty sight with a sweet voice, and singing champion Jimmy Marquez in a well-applauded turn as the Piragua guy. 

Their presence in the show is most important given the present economic situation and the government’s seeming disinterest in the arts. We have an overabundance of talents so only the star players get the big movies and concert gigs. The rest make do with what is left. That means a film or teleserye or club show once in a while, and, most coveted, a weekly stint in ASAP or Party Pilipinas. As a result, we have lots of talents around waiting for the next assignment.

But there is no need to agonize over those down times if they will lend their names and talents to the theater. They will not only get excellent training, they will also have the privilege of enjoying the instant accolade that only a live audience can provide. Vice-versa, theater can use their names to bring the show to a new set of fans.

Jackie Lou Blanco as Camila turns out great in first musical

Of course, it will be a big plus if they could get a role in a show like In The Heights. Hats off to Bobby Garcia for choosing to bring the Tony Award-winning musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda to Manila. Though not one of the warhorses Filipinos are familiar with, think Miss Saigon or Les Miserables, he knew on instinct that we will be able to relate to this tale of Latinos in New York’s Washington Heights. Why, the place, the people, even their dreams could be transplanted with very little change to communities in the Philippines.

In The Heights is about three days in the lives of Usnavi and his friends. They have simple dreams, to go back home, to get an apartment in a better neighborhood, to send a daughter to college or to win the lottery. They also have simple joys, falling in love, making money even if just a bit more, having a party, gossiping about themselves. They are all thrown into this pressure cooker of a black-out and self-discovery one hot Independence Day and things are never the same again.

 In The Heights is an excellent ensemble piece and like their characters, the warmth and affection that the actors evince for one another come across as genuine. So genuine, in fact, that the audience feels for them. And how wonderful to see this story unfold against Miranda’s smooth mix of Latin and hip-hop music. This combination does not always work. This must be the first time it does. Miranda also wrote the song lyrics and the dialogue and these are witty, poignant and most of all, real.

Jimmy Marquez delivers a well-applauded turn as the Piragua guy

Cheers to Atlantis for bringing the show; to Calvin Millado for another heartfelt father outing; to Ima Castro for masterful singing and wow salsa dancing; Jay Glorioso, for an affecting presence as Abuela; to those new guys, Felix Rivera and Bibo Reyes, they could show those guys on local TV a thing or two about acting; and to everybody in the cast for doing a great job. I told you this is an ensemble piece.  

Check them out. In The Heights is on rerun and on its final weekend at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza in Makati.

More about making dreams come true in the theater. 9 Works Theatrical uses the tagline “We make your dreams come true” to re-introduce Stage Camp, its annual theater workshop. This will be held at the Loft @ Manansala Tower, Rockwell Center, Makati from April 16 to June 3. There is something for everyone at Stage Camp for kids as young as five years old to adults aged up to whatever.

Stage Camp will run for seven weeks. The camp will be comprised of Kiddie Camp, five to eight years old; Pre-teen Camp, nine to 12 years old; Teen Camp, 13 to 17 years old; and Adult Camp, 18 years old and above. There will also be an Advanced Camp for Adults that is limited to those who have already appeared in two professional productions or joined three workshops.

Call 557-5860, 586-7105 or 0917-554-5560 or e-mail to info@9workstheatrical.com or visit www.9workstheatrical.com for more information. Who knows Stage Camp might be all that is needed to bring out the actor in you.