Reviews: In The Heights at Albert Einstein High School
Written by Terrell Armstrong of Riverside High School
¡Atención! Lights up on Washington Heights!
In Albert Einstein High School's production of In the Heights, the streets of this lively New York neighborhood become the backdrop for a story about identity, ambition, and the meaning of home. With music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, the show celebrates the culture and resilience of a neighborhood where every corner holds a story and every resident carries a dream for the future.
In the Heights, the Tony Award-winning musical, explores the lives of residents in Washington Heights as they balance aspirations for the future with the meaning of home. Making its Broadway debut in 2008, the show emphasizes heritage as a core theme through its music, blending hip-hop, salsa, soul, and merengue. Through energetic ensemble numbers and heartfelt solos, the production highlights themes of community, perseverance, and identity.
Abi Reyes delivered a commanding performance as Usnavi De La Vega, demonstrating impressive vocal range and rhythmic precision throughout the production. Through expressive physicality and layered vocal delivery, Reyes captured Usnavi's emotional journey as he wrestled with the possibility of leaving Washington Heights behind. His dynamic stage presence carried the character through moments of excitement, uncertainty, and reflection, allowing the audience to follow Usnavi's growth from hopeful dreamer to someone who ultimately recognizes the importance of the community around him.
Janiyah Jackson portrayed Abuela Claudia with consistent vocal power and a thoughtful interpretation of the character's maternal role within the neighborhood. Her chemistry with Reyes highlighted the warmth of Usnavi and Abuela's relationship during shared moments such as "Hundreds of Stories." Jackson's solo performance of "Paciencia y Fe" stood out as one of the evening's most moving moments, as her vibrant and mature tone guided the audience through Abuela's memories and struggles, bringing emotional depth to the production.
Lighting played a significant role in shaping the atmosphere of the performance. From the bright lights illuminating the lively streets of Washington Heights to the dimly lit stage during the blackout sequence, the lighting design helped immerse the audience in each shift of mood and setting. Spotlights emphasized Usnavi's rap-driven monologues, while special staging moments expanded the performance beyond the stage itself. Willow Hillman, Matilda Jannetta and the ITH lighting team created memorable visuals through creative choices, including the use of a disco ball atop the auditorium to portray fireworks and a striking spotlight moment showing young Abuela transitioning into her present-day self.
The set design also contributed strongly to the colorful portrayal of the neighborhood. Alexander Weiss, Emma Dunphy, Anna Surrosco and the ITH Set Team carefully selected bold colors and detailed signage that captured the cultural energy of Washington Heights. One particularly touching detail was the portrait of Abuela, which resonated emotionally with the audience, fully showing just how much a community can do together.
Through strong performances, engaging technical design, and a clear sense of community, Albert Einstein High School's production of In the Heights captured the spirit of Washington Heights and the message at the heart of the show: that home is not defined by distance, but by the people who stand beside you.
Written by Naomi Bautista of Fairfax High School
It's lights up on Washington Heights at Albert Einstein High School's production of In the Heights! Set against the backdrop of a disappearing block in the neighborhood, their production explores the complex question of what "home" means when change is the only constant and the rent keeps rising.
In the Heights is Lin-Manuel Miranda's first work and most notably features a groundbreaking score that fuses hip-hop, salsa, merengue, and soul. It took to the Broadway stage in 2008, won 4 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and then had a 2021 movie adaptation directed by Jon M. Chu. Set over three sweltering summer days in New York City's Washington Heights neighborhood, the show follows a vibrant Latino community on the brink of change. The story centers on Usnavi de la Vega, a bodega owner who dreams of returning to his native Dominican Republic to restore his late father's business. As a massive blackout strikes the city during a record-breaking heatwave, the residents navigate personal struggles with gentrification, identity, and the pursuit of the American Dream.
Usnavi (Abimael Reyes) is a hard working dreamer, and, fittingly, no one else was working as hard as Reyes, who delivered Miranda's complex musical stylings with ease. Reyes's rapping was both technically sharp and emotionally engaging, and his clear enunciation made every lyric land with impact. With a suave, charismatic energy, Reyes acted as an anchor for each scene, creating dynamic interactions and a vibrant, pulsing rhythm throughout the show. Usnavi's cheeky, swaggering younger cousin Sonny (Royce Nazir) brought an endearing "overgrown kid" energy to the barrio. Combined with his quippy comedic timing and bold physical choices, Nazir's Sonny was instantly likeable and a crowd-pleading comedic riot.
As the "one who made it out," Nina Rosario (Indira Trovillion) is a symbol of success as the first in the barrio to attend college, but struggles under the high expectations. Trovillion's bright, spirited voice managed to portray Nina's strength, ambition, and inner turmoil, delivering an emotionally expressive performance and capturing the nuance of a young woman torn between two worlds. Bryce Edmonds was her perfect counterpart as Benny, and as their romance developed, Trovillion and Edmonds captured hearts with their tender and soulful connection.
As the heart-center of the neighborhood, Janiyah Jackson's Abuela Claudia, was a true force of nature. Her number, "Paciencia Y Fe," recounting Claudia's lifelong journey from Havana to Nueva York, showcased her stellar performance ability; commanding the stage with the powerful, soaring timbre of her voice and communicating a lifetime of pain and joy.
The seamless teamwork of Albert Einstein's technical teams created a fun, cohesive production. The show was almost entirely student choreographed, an impressive feat executed by a team of ten choreographers (led by Campbell Goldston, Bryce Edmonds, and Titanes Salseros). Each number showcased different styles of dance, including hip-hop, tango, and salsa; reflecting the unique fusion of culture in the neighborhood. The barrio was brought to life by a slew of handmade props (Nigel Mendelsohn and the ITH Props Team) that grounded the production in reality, including the iconic and colorful Piragua cart. Most notable were the custom flags that the props team attained for each actor. Not only were there flags of every Spanish speaking country, flags from France, India, and other countries around the world were included; reinforcing Einstein's message of unity and the celebration of all cultures.
With energetic choreography, memorable music, and a heartfelt exploration of chasing dreams, Albert Einstein's production of In the Heights was a vibrant and infectious celebration that served as a joyous love letter to Latino culture, community, and the concept of "home."