In The Heights

In the Heights is a musical with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes.

First performance: April 20, 1999

Lyricist: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Playwright: Quiara Alegría Hudes

Composer: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Adaptations: In the Heights (2011)

Characters: Usnavi, Claudia, Kevin Rosario, Graffiti Pete, Nina Rosario, Camila Rosario, Sonny, Daniela, Vanessa, Benny, Carla

Synopsis of Show

Synopsis:

In the Heights tells the story of a Dominican-American community in New York’s Washington Heights neighbourhood – a place with different shops / businesses and music from 3 different generations are carried throughout. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you and which ones you leave behind.
Act 1 begins with Usnavi (the main role) introducing all the characters through song. After the song, Nina Rosario enters, daughter of Camilla and Kevin (owners of the Taxi Rank) She has come home after her first year at Stanford University in California, she is the first person from the community to make it out and to do something amazing with her life. Everyone is so proud of her but little do they know she has come home to stay, and tell her parents that she lost her scholarship because she was working to pay for resources instead of studying. She is ashamed and finds comfort in Abuella (the community’s grandmother who is dearly loved by everyone.)
Next on the scene is Benny, who works for Kevin and Camilla at the rank. He thas worked there since he was a young boy and had been accepted by the family. However it gets complicated when it becomes clear that he has feelings for Nina, and Nina’s feelings are mutual.
After that Vanessa is on, Usnavi’s love interest who works at the Salon with Daniella and Carla. She dreams of moving away and starting a new life. She lives with her mum and they are having money issues. She feels like nobody cares about her. It is in this scene where Usnavi is too nervous to ask her out on a date, so his cousin, Sonny who works with him at the shop asks her on his behalf. She says yes and Usnavi is astounded.
In the following scene, Nina tells her parents about her failure. They are disappointed that she did not go to them to ask for money, but she knew they were struggling as it was. Kevin is still proud of her despite this as she has come so far. He wants her to do well so makes a big decision.
Meanwhile in Washington Heights, Daniella, the owner of the Salon and the biggest gossip in the neighbourhood finds out what is going on with Nina and Benny and Usnavi and Vanessa.
In the next scene, Usnavi discovers that somebody won $96,000 through one of his store’s lottery tickets. The cast all dream about what they would do with the money if they were to win.
Abuela Claudia is introduced after this, and basically brought up Usnavi as a young orphan. She sings about her journey from Cuba to New York in 1943.
Benny and Nina meet up and share their memories of Washington Heights over the years that they have lived there. They become closer. Later at the Rosario’s welcome home tea party, Kevin announces that he has sold the business to pay for Nina’s tuition. Nobody is on his side.
The next scene is set in a club, it is the 3^rd of July (day before American Independence Day) and the cast are at a club dancing. Usnavi and Vanessa go together however she starts dancing with another man, Usnavi acts like he is fine with this when really he is jealous. At the same time Benny has a go at Nina, saying it is her fault that he no longer has a job. They argue and Nina leaves upset. All of a sudden, there is a blackout. Tensions are high whilst they all find their loved ones. Washington Heights is looted, and Sonny and Graffiti Pete distract the looters by setting off fireworks. Benny and Nina find eachother, kiss underneath the fireworks and Abuella tells Usnavi that she is the holder of the winning lottery ticket.

 

Act 2:

Act 2 begins with Benny and Nina, who have spent the night together. Benny worries what Kevin will say when he finds out. Meanwhile the neighbourhood attempt to tidy up after the blackout / looting. Abuella and Usnavi are discussing what they will do with the money. They decide to move back to Usnavi’s homeland, the Dominican Republic.

Nina’s parents row because they cannot find Nina and have been worried and looking for her all night.  Kevin is furious when she turns up holding Benny’s hand. He warns him to stay away and that he’ll never be part of the family. Camilla defends him and attempts to make both her husband and daughter compromise. It is clear that everyone is feeling frustrated due to the heat and no power. Daniella suggests that they have a carnival as it is the 4^th of July and everyone is leaving (closing their stores) Vanessa and Sonny do not understand why everyone is happy, whilst Usnavi tells all about Abuella winning the lottery and their plan to move which also upsets Vanessa because she wants him to stay.  Everyone is celebrating, when Nina reveals heartbreaking news. Abuella Claudia passed away. The neighbourhood come together and support one another.

Nina and Usnavi sort out Abuella’s things. They find photo albums, folders, a photograph, a lottery ticket and more. Nina then realises that she does not want to give up and wants to make Abuella proud so tells her parents that she will be returning to Stanford. Even though it is a big sacrifice, Kevin and Camilla decide to sell the business.

Daniella closes the salon and also gives Vanessa a place to live, thanks to Usnavi. Vanessa is touched and buys Usnavi a bottle of cold champagne to say thank you. He does not realise that Vanessa feels the same way he does. She’s upset because he is moving so far away. She kisses him to make him see. At this point, Benny and Nina also worry about their future together after Kevin announces that she will be returning to California. As Benny is now unemployed, he decides to open his own business.

Sonny has a proposition for Graffiti Pete, which is to paint a mural of Abuella Claudia over the stop ‘n’shop gate. Usnavi loves the surprise and makes him realises that he has one home, which is in Washington Heights – he decides to stay.

 

Detailed Contextual Understanding

Detailed contextual understanding.

In The Heights is set in 1999 in Washington Heights, a neighbourhood in Manhattan.  At this time unemployment rate was at 3.6 white Americans and 8.2 for African Americans meaning discrimination was still high, but better than the previous 10 years. The characters in the show are of working class and all dream of what it would be like to be wealthy.

Bill Clinton made major promises to working-class people in order to get elected, including universal health care, a family medical leave act, and a striker replacement bill to prevent the permanent hiring of scabs during a strike. In the end, he broke virtually every major promise that he made to America’s workers. Robert Reich, Clinton’s first secretary, later revealed: “We essentially have collaborated with and responded to the business community.” This  collaboration with the business community meant that life in the 1990s would become increasingly difficult for working-class people in the United States.

1998 - Puerto Rican week established by mayor Guiliani.

Divorce rates in the United States had begun to grow sharply in the 1970s. By the 90s those rates were starting to drop. But there were millions of children living with only one parent, or with their grandparents. Single-parent families are more likely to be poor

In 1980, single-parent households represented about 20% of all households in the United States with children. By 1999 that number had reached 24% and was continuing to rise.

During the 1990s, personal computers became more and more a part of everyday life. And more and more people were going online over a network linking computers around the world. The Internet would grow into an easy way to send e-mail, find information and buy products over the World Wide Web. Music was also a big part of people’s lives. Rap, hip hop, R&B and dance music had well and truly been introduced and were very popular amoung younger people. – this is evident in the club scene and Usnavi raps a lot throughout the show.

May 3, 1999 - A series of tornadoes strikes Oklahoma, including an F5 category storm that slams Oklahoma City, killing thirty-eight.  The fastest wind speed ever recorded on earth is measured by scientists at 509 km (318 mph) during this tornado.  

November 30, 1999 - The first major mobilization of the anti-globalization movement occurs in Seattle, Washington, during the days before the 1999 World Trade Organization meetings. The protests and rioting caused the cancellation of the WTO opening ceremonies.

Character analysis

"In the Heights is a Tony Award®-winning musical about life in Washington Heights, a tight-knit community in New York City where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.
During its acclaimed Off-Broadway run, In the Heights quickly became an audience phenomenon and critical success. With an amazing cast, gripping story and incredible dancing, In the Heights is an authentic and exhilarating journey into one of Manhattan’s most vibrant communities. Its universal themes of family, community and self-discovery, In the Heights can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds." 
USNAVI DE LA VEGA The 24-year-old owner of De La Vega’s Bodega, Usnavi’s parents emigrated from the Dominican Republic and have since passed away. He lives with Abuela Claudia (Grandmother Claudia), who isn’t actually his grandmother but they are as close as family. Usnavi is in love with Vanessa and remains the eyes and ears of his Washington Heights neighborhood.
  NINA ROSARIO
  19-year-old Nina has just finished her freshmen year at Stanford University. The daughter of Kevin and Camilia Rosario, Nina is the only one from her family and group of friends who has made it to college. She is best friends with Vanessa and a beacon of hope and inspiration to all who know her. Nina represents the opportunity outside of "the heights."
 KEVIN ROSARIO
  In his 40s and owner of Rosario Car and Limousine, Kevin is husband to Camilia and father to Nina. Born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Kevin immigrated to New York City with Camilia. He immediately began working to provide a better life for his newly arrived family. He is stubborn, hot-tempered at times and can be quick to act without thoughts of repercussions.
CAMILIA ROSARIO
  Also in her 40s, Camilia co-owns Rosario Car and Limousine with her husband, Kevin. Also from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, she fell in love with Kevin at age 19 and immigrated with him to New York City. She is cool-headed and keeps a subtle yet strong leash on Kevin. Her daughter Nina has just returned for the summer after her first year at Stanford University.
 BENNY
  Now a cab driver for Rosario Car and Limousine, 24-year-old Benny once was a street punk and hoodlum. Kevin saw promise in Benny and helped shape him into a responsible, hard-working young man. As a result, Benny has enormous respect for Kevin and sees him as a father figure. Benny eventually falls in love with Nina and sees a future for them if he becomes a businessman. Benny and Usnavi are best friends.
 VANESSA
  A 19-year-old shampoo girl at Daniela’s Salon, Vanessa is strong and intelligent. She grew up with Benny and Usnavi. Though Usnavi would like to be more than Vanessa’s "friend," he has never made any attempt to elevate the relationship. Vanessa dreams of leaving to create her own life away from her alcoholic mother.
 SONNY
  Usnavi’s 15-year-old cousin, Sonny, is spending the summer working for Usnavi at the bodega. He often hangs out on the street with his friend Graffiti Pete but avoids trouble. Sonny is an extremely intelligent young man who strives to emulate Usnavi. Passionate to solve the social and economic problems of the city, he needs guidance to avoid ending up a street punk.
 ABUELA CLAUDIA
  Now in her late 60s, Claudia has raised Usnavi since his parents passed away and continues to live with him. She emigrated from Cuba when she was very young. Of all the characters, Abuela Claudia has been in "the Heights" the longest. She struggled to learn English and find work. Consequently, she has helped others who have followed in her path. She is the clear matriarch of the neighborhood.
 DANIELA
  In her 30s, Daniela owns Daniela’s Salon. She is savvy, quick-witted, brassy and outspoken. Although she retains a motherly relationship with Vanessa, Daniela remains the gossip queen of the neighborhood. The no-nonsense Daniela has built a successful business but is being forced of the neighborhood because of rent hikes.
 CARLA
 In her mid-20s, Carla is a hairdresser at Daniela’s Salon. Born and raised in Queens, she is a pure, sweet, innocent and loving woman who is devoted to her family and friends though she is easily taken advantage of because of her naivete. She and Daniela are best friends.
GRAFFITI PETE
 An 18-year old graffiti artist and nemesis of Usnavi, Graffiti Pete always hangs out on the streets, dancing to his boom box music and spraying any surface he can. Usnavi is unhappy that Sonny and Graffiti Pete are friends because Graffiti Pete epitomizes everything that Usnavi hopes that Sonny will not grow up to be.
PIRAGUA GUY  In his mid-30s, he walks the hot and humid streets of Washington Heights selling piraguas (flavored ice shavings) to earn a living. He represents a rhythm of the islands in the big city.
  

Meeting minutes

Minutes – 1/4/14

Ashleigh Gow
Gemma Johnstone
Lucy Andrew
John McDermott
Sophie Brown
Jordi Williams
Drew Turner
Joel Murray
Jordan Simpson
Matt Elliott

·         The set goes up the first Friday back. 29/4/14.

·         Gemma, Me, Anna - We need to LX tape the size of set ASAP. Performers need to rehearse in the correct space / exits.

ASM – Jordi/ Matt : liaise with the Stage Management team.

John – Mike Granger. Work with set designer now to sort where speakers are. Use a lighting plan to rig. NOT Qlab. Very complex sound software –John must have sorted with Mike Granger and Sarah. Getting the tracks is the priority.

Lucy – costume, performers wearing on clothes and source their own stuff. Lucy will get group stuff. No personal costumes, today talking to Nancy.

Gemma has a script and will be in rehearsals from after the Easter break. She can film them and report back to show the others what is happening.

Drew- has thought about some of the props and where to source them. Mark can answer some of his queries e.g. about the fridge. SM need to make a list, priorities. We will meet separately to discuss this today / tomorrow.

Sophie -  FOH ideas have begun. PA will do programmes. We will make FOH look as authentic as possible. Need to speak with JPS for effective communication. Meet with SM to discuss deadlines asap.

Jordan – work with Anna & Lucy, effective communication and work to deadlines. He will have help from the SM team (join our meeting.)

Joel – helps with rigging, focusing, plotting. Can possibly attend some rehearsals with Gemma when possible. 

Deadlines

 

Deadlines

Rigging week commencing 21^st April– Before tech rehearsals (so everything is ready to be cued and programmed).

Tech Rehearsals – 7^th, 8^th, 9^th April? (Yet to be confirmed).

List of Intricate lighting? -  E.g. Taxi rank sign

 

In The Heights Hierarchical Structure

The Job Role I have been given is Lighting Operator. This particular role includes responsibilities such as turning up to the dress and tech rehearsals, this way I can ensure that the lighitng desk is programmed correctly and that I can take all the correct cues for the show. When programming the lighting desk I can liaise with the director, doing this will allow me the learn all the correct cues to write down (which means I know exactly when to move on to the next cue).
Once all the programming is complete, the next thing to happen will be the actual run throughs, this is for the cast to finish of any little things they have left to figure out as well as me knowing when to go to the next cue so that when it comes to the show, there will be no problems.

Working beside me during the runs and the show is the sound operator paul, he will be incharge of sourcing and creating a Qlab file with all the correct music. Paul is going to be in charge of cueing the music aswell as playing it on the nights.

above me there is the lighting designer Jordan, This particular job role entails deciding which lights are to be used, where they will be placed in the rig, what colours will be used. They will then over see the focusing of the lights.

The stage manager Ashleigh Gow will be the overseer of everyone involved in the technical, FOH and costume/props. Ashleigh will be there for people to ask any questions, help solve any issues and direct people what needs to be done if their managers are unable to answer.