BWW Review: Remarkable IN THE HEIGHTS is Revelatory, Can't-Miss Theatre
'Home' means many different things to many different people. For some, it is the physical structure in which they grew up; for others it is a town, state, or region; for others it is with the people that they care about most. No matter how you define the word, everyone is looking to find, maintain, or return to the 'home' that allows them to feel safe and loved and be the best version of themselves. In one way or another, all of the characters in Lin-Manuel Miranda's bi-lingual, hip-hop infused musical IN THE HEIGHTS, are striving to get 'home.' Set in Miranda's beloved New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights, this cutting-edge show won four Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Musical. Now, the Greater Orlando Actors Theater and Baggy Pants Theater have collaborated on the Central Florida premiere of this deceptively challenging show, running through June 14th at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. While this engaging production never achieves the crispness of the Broadway original, the heart and love that makes IN THE HEIGHTS special is evident from the first note; this passionate ensemble has created a work that should be the example for what Orlando's professional theatres strive to achieve in musical storytelling.