In the Heights at Bass Concert Hall

Apr 22, 2010 by Shelby

Musicals pretty much always make me wish I could sing, but more than anything, “In The Heights” made me want to sign up for dance classes. (Which I actually did yesterday. Thanks, Groupon!) The 2008 Tony Award winner for Best Musical embarked on its first touring production late last year and has set up shop at Austin’s Bass Concert Hall on the University of Texas campus through Sunday. Tickets range from $20 for the upper balcony to $69 for the best orchestra seats.

Set in New York’s rough Washington Heights neighborhood, the story takes place over a few days in the lives of a group of residents, many of whom are dreaming about leaving behind the “barrio.” Most of the characters are of Dominican or Puerto Rican descent, which definitely influences the music and the dancing. You don’t often see rapping and salsa as part of more traditional Broadway musicals, so “In The Heights” was like an infusion of fresh air into an old genre. The plot itself is simple enough that you can predict the resolution after the first five minutes, but, of course, it’s all about the ride – the songs and the moves. The performers were all incredibly talented, with Kyle Beltran as orphaned bodega owner Usnavi, Rogelio Douglas Jr. as cultural outsider Benny and Arielle Jacobs as Stanford dropout Nina as the three biggest standouts.

If you love dance movies and are as excited about “Step Up 3-D” as I am (seriously, have you seen the trailer? Moose is back!), you’ll like “In The Heights,” but the musical also offers compelling romance, humor and family drama.

To find out more about “In The Heights” at Bass Concert Hall, click here.

Please share if you enjoyed our post!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

7 Comments + Add Comment

Kelly April 22, 2010 at 2:18 pm

Sounds very entertaining!
O'Husband April 22, 2010 at 2:36 pm

…was cool, but definitely no Phantom.
Shelby April 22, 2010 at 2:40 pm

Agreed. I still think “The Color Purple” is the best I’ve seen this season at Bass. This one didn’t have enough Shug.
Cynthia April 22, 2010 at 5:13 pm

Can’t wait to start dance classes @DanceZone! And I am just happy someone else besides me can admit to being excited about Step Up 3-D.
Kelly April 22, 2010 at 10:12 pm

Hey I watched Step up 2, without even seeing the first. I bet I could watch Step Up 3.
Shelby April 23, 2010 at 9:02 am

I’m totally excited! There is no need for embarrassment. And Kelly, the first Step Up is really fun too, especially if there is drinking involved.
Kelly April 23, 2010 at 4:56 pm

Yes. I am going to netflix it today…