American Stage in the Park reaches for the 'Heights'

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American Stage is singing to a different beat for its annual outdoor musical production with the area premiere of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Tony Award-winning “In the Heights.”
It’s a story of family and finding your place in your own community set to the rhythms of hip-hop, rap and salsa music.

Justin Gregory Lopez, center, and the cast of the American Stage in the Park production of "In the Heights," the Tony Award-winning musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Chad Jacobs Photo/Provided by American Stage

Justin Gregory Lopez, center, and the cast of the American Stage in the Park production of "In the Heights," the Tony Award-winning musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Chad Jacobs Photo/Provided by American Stage

“For me, the play speaks about home and how we define that,” said director Karla Hartley, who also staged last season’s “The Wiz” for American Stage in the Park. “It tells a uniquely American story through a lexicon that has not been seen before in the park. But it’s the same story whether you’re a Polish immigrant or German or Irish immigrant.

Miranda wrote the words and music and Hudes wrote the book to the show, which stars Justin Gregory Lopez as Usnavi, who runs a bodega near his home in the heavily Dominican Washington Heights neighborhood of New York, near the George Washington Bridge.

“I connect really well to this story line,” said Lopez, a New York-based actor who makes his American Stage debut. He said that hip hop is the best musical metaphor to capture the spirit of a changing neighborhood.

Lopez, who was involved in the development of Miranda’s newest show “Hamilton,” said the writer and composer “has a great way of using words to tell a story.”

Justin Gregory Lopez, center, and the cast of the American Stage in the Park production of "In the Heights," the Tony Award-winning musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Chad Jacobs Photo/Provided by American Stage

Justin Gregory Lopez, center, and the cast of the American Stage in the Park production of "In the Heights," the Tony Award-winning musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Chad Jacobs Photo/Provided by American Stage

Usnavi is a central character and a narrator in the show. “He’s pretty much a mush mouth when he’s talking, but then suddenly he’s rapping and everything flows right out of him. It’s like he becomes somebody else when he’s rapping and he can properly process his thoughts a little better.”

Domenic Biseti is choreographing the fast-moving show, with musical direction by J.P. Kavenaugh. The cast also includes Jessica Kahkoska, Renata Eastlick, Marquez Linder, Christie Prades, Melanie Souza and Jorge Acosta.

“In the Heights” runs through May 17 at Demens Landing Park, at 1st Avenue South and Bayshore Boulevard S.E., St. Petersburg. Tickets are $15-$32 for general admission lawn seating, premium blanket seating or reserved chairs.

For more information: (727) 823-7529; americanstage.org

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Jay Handelman

Jay Handelman is the theater and television critic for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where he has worked since 1984. He also is President of the Foundation of the American Theatre Critics Association and a two-time past chairman of the association's executive committee. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4931. Follow him at @jayhandelman on Twitter. Make sure to "Like" Arts Sarasota on Facebook for news and reviews of the arts.
Last modified: April 29, 2015
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