In The Heights
at Clarksburg High School

Reviewed on March 24, 2017

Emma Shacochis
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

In Washington Heights, money may be tight, but the music shines and bursts like fireworks on the Fourth of July! Clarksburg High School's production of In the Heights is as sweet as piragua on a hot summer day.

In the Heights opened on Broadway in 2008, where it collected four Tony awards, including Best Musical. Featuring music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, the show ran on Broadway for four years and has toured worldwide. Set in a Latin-American neighborhood in Washington Heights, the summer tale follows a vibrant and close-knit community over three days as they face closing businesses, winning lottery tickets, and sweltering July heat.

Carlos Hernandez takes on the role of Usnavi, a bodega owner at the center of el barrio. He energetically serves up café con leche and scolds his younger cousin, as well as rapping at an impressive pace. In "Alabanza", after he experiences a heartbreaking loss, Hernandez beautifully performs a tearful and eloquent eulogy.

Vanessa, a resident of the neighborhood who is searching for a way out, is played with determination and spirit by Lady Marien Marasigan. She nails her number, "It Won't Be Long Now", with a brazen strut and powerful voice.

Also excellent is Kyra Allen as Abuela Claudia, the matriarch of everyone on the block. Allen is moving and sentimental in "Paciencia y Fe", where she reflects on her childhood immigration.

Kevin and Camila Rosario, played by Maanav Goyal and Olivia Luzquinos, as Puerto Rican immigrant who built a strong business, are charming together, and shine equally in their solos: Goyal's "Inutil", where Goyal laments the feeling of failing his family, and Luzquinos' "Enough", where Luzquinos finally expresses her anger at being put second to the needs of her husband and daughter.

The ensemble fills each scene with background chatting and joking with one another, as if they have lived in the same neighborhood all their lives. In "Alabanza", when the entire barrio experiences a loss, the way they lean against one another in comfort only strengthens the sense of community.

Praises are to be given to the team of five ASL interpreters, who translated the entire show with as much energy and character as if they were onstage.

The set – a street corner with its salon, bodega, dispatch station, and apartments – is artfully spray-painted with stray song lyrics. Natalie Matthews' beautiful lighting includes warm yellows and oranges to show the summer sunrises and sunsets, and tiny chandeliers that illuminate as fireworks during the number "Blackout".

The choreography, arranged by JeanPaul Garmes, Abby Thomas, and Jayma Fletcher, is executed with pep and precision by the ensemble's specialty dancers. Especially in large-cast numbers such as "Carnival del Barrio", their hip-hop and salsa inspired dance moves shine.

Clarksburg High School has taken sweet music and a winning cast of characters and added their own heartwarming, dynamic touches. They will have you loving your trip "In the Heights".

Sarah DeLeonibus
Bullis School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Miniskirts, graffiti and unconditional love, all prevalent aspects of the barrio, but Clarksburg High School's breathed new energy and spunk into the Lin Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes' In the Heights. In the Heights, Manuel's first smash hit follows the stories and relationships of multiple vibrant Latin American characters growing up in Washington Heights. It accounts for their struggles, their accomplishments, their relationships and most importantly pays tribute to the Immigrant story that has shaped the United States throughout centuries.

Usnavi, our protagonist, was played by Carlos Hernandez who brilliantly embodied the lovable awkwardness of the character original played by Lin Manuel Miranda. He also established a clear and believable relationship with his love interest, Vanessa. The dynamic and wander-lusting Vanessa was played by Lady Marien Marasigan, who portrayed her character with sass, spunk and vulnerability. While showing off her impressive vocals, Marasigan also proved to be a triple threat, dancing and acting with complete commitment. Another established relationship was between Nina Rosario, played by Griffin Hellebuyck, and Benny, played by Saidou Sosseh. Their sweet yet dynamic relationship and impressive vocals had the audience rooting for them the entire time. Some more standout smaller parts were Mateo Ferro who played Sonny with impeccable comedic timing and believable dramatic moments. Maddi Bard (Daniela) and Sydney Farrington (Carla) were a dynamic duo who consistently had the audience laughing. Ricky Cardenas, who played Piragua guy, was especially memorable with his character despite limited stage time.

The ensemble was extremely impressive for a high school show. Each person in the cast, whether in a group song or just background individuals, had dynamic characters they were committed to. Dancing and singing was also strong in the ensemble. Some standouts were Abby Thomas and JeanPaul Garmes who consistently danced with purpose, character and style.
Tech was also extremely strong for this show. The set showed remarkable attention to detail and the lighting was carefully thought out to be consistent and stylized and was extremely impressive with its establishment of silhouettes. Sound was relatively strong with only a few minor mishaps. The costumes were consistent yet distinguishable and gave every person on stage his own style.
The energy, accents, choreography, vocals and establishment of relationships made the show believable, fun and especially heartbreaking at the end. The obvious attention to detail in all aspects and infectious energy helped create a truly entertaining show that made audience members feel like they too lived and struggled in the barrio. Clarksburg's production of In the Heights was extremely impressive for a high school show.

Kelly Brents
James Madison High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Vamos a la bodega para café! Clarksburg High School's outstanding production of In the Heights explores the diversity of the greatest city in the world.

Originating on Broadway in 2008 with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the production won the Tony Award for Best Musical as well as a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

The modern musical follows the story of the residents of the Latin-American neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City. The show opens on Usnavi, a bodega owner who one day hopes to return to the Dominican Republic. Down the block, Nina Rosario has returned after dropping out of her first year of college to the surprise of her struggling parents.

Usnavi (Carlos Hernandez) introduced us to the scene and was our guide throughout the show. His rap skills were matched only with his acting, adding profound and intense emotions during the turmoil of his experiences. His dynamic with Mateo Ferro as Usnavi's younger cousin Sonny showed great family bond that stretched throughout the entire cast. Nina (Griffin Hellebuyck) displayed powerful vocals proved fitting for the intensity of the subject. Her connection with her parents, especially her mother Camila (Olivia Luzquinos) was impressively realistic, with Luzquinos stunning number "Enough", where she lamented against the miscommunication in her family.

Daniela (Maddi Bard) as the sassy hairstylist was vivacious, hitting every beat, nailing hilarious quips at the expense of her counterpart Carla (Sydney Fennington) as well as using her physicality to enhance her character. Bard had one of the most consistent accents of the night, which brought authenticity to numbers like "Carnaval Del Barrio". Ricky Cardenas, playing the Piragua Guy, was an instant crowd favorite. His effortless vocals combined with the genuine innocence of his persona made his few appearances onstage standout.

The ensemble tackled the challenging vocal harmonies of the score. Singing various voice parts on top of each other, the large cast also executed complex choreography by JeanPaul Grimes, Noah Abrams, Abby Thomas, and Krishma Patel. Simran Virk, Adero Key, and Jacqueline Nguyen constructed an engaging set of a neighborhood in New York. Graffiti lined the outer edges of the set which influenced the neighborhood feel of the stage.

The students of Clarksburg High School performed the show with impeccable comedy as well as a rich appreciation for Latin American culture. ¡Qué excelente!

Lina Snyder-Romero
South Lakes High School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theater Guide

When a Dominican shop owner living in New York has a chance to leave his hood and go back to his island, he hesitates to abandon the city he's always known, and the people who depend on him. Eventually, as seen in Clarksburg High School's production of In the Heights, Usnavi de la Vega decides that home and family are more important to him than a future of relaxing on the beach.

With music and lyrics by Lin Manuel Miranda, and book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, In the Heights first graced the stages in 1999, telling the story of Latino immigrants making their living in the barrios of New York, but never forgetting where they came from.

Clarksburg's production opened with Usnavi de la Vega (Carlos Hernandez) preparing his corner store for business and introducing the audience to the rest of the characters. A few of these characters stood out. Vanessa Garcia, Usnavi's love interest played by Lady Marien Marasigan had excellent energy and expression. Sonny de la Vega, Usnavi's cousin played by Mateo Ferro won the audience's heart with his charisma and wit.

Also, worth mentioning were the ensemble performances in the first scene. The dancers on the street worked cohesively together while still maintaining their individual personalities, and executing the choreography without a single mistake.

Throughout the performance, Carlos Hernandez increased his energy and portrayed Usnavi with good timing, posture and diction. His chemistry with other characters in the show was strong, especially during songs like "Champagne" and "The Club".

Additionally, enjoyable performances were those by Griffin Hellebuyck (Nina Rosario) whose outstanding vocals and keen characterization of a girl who dropped out of Stanford were prominent during her solo song, "Breathe," Olivia Luzquinos (Camila Rosario) whose anger was tangible during her song "Enough" in which she settled an argument between her daughter and husband.

Kyra Allen (Abuela) had strong vocals and a sharp attitude that made her a crowd favorite, and Ricky Cardenas (Piragua Guy) played up the comedic elements of the show while also presenting an excellent range and human expression.

Despite some microphone and sound problems, the performers pulled through admirably, and their enthusiasm never faltered, building up to the finale where they went off with a bang. Although lighting had some inconsistencies, and background colors did not always match the mood of the scene, the set compensated for this, and created a true New York atmosphere in which the performers, costumed in street attire, blended seamlessly.

Clarksburg High School presented a colorful and bright production that emphasized the importance of staying true to your roots, even when they seem far away, and that family isn't always the people who are related to you by blood.