'In the Heights' comes to AHHS

The stage at Alexander Hamilton High School is in the process of being transformed into Washington Heights, a neighborhood in New York City. The Elmsford community will have an opportunity to visit this area and meet the fictitious characters who live there in an upcoming performance of ‘In the Heights.’

“We were all really excited to do the show,” Dahlia White, who plays Nina, said. “When we heard, we were really ecstatic."

“When the show was announced last year, I spent my whole spring break going crazy,” Jason Bernard, Jr., said. “This show tells a nice story.”

The play is a contemporary musical with music and lyrics by popular entertainer Lin-Manuel Miranda and incorporates hip-hop, salsa, merengue and soul. It focuses on three days in a Latino neighborhood where residents contemplate their futures and happiness.

“It’s a big, vibrant show,” director Chris Guzman said. “The characters are very relatable.”

Mr. Guzman said at the heart of the story is the question of what home is and what it means to different people.

The leads in the show have found their characters to be ones they can understand and recognize how they change as the story unfolds.

“First, I thought he was more stoic, but I really see him as more emotional,” said Chris Yeosock, who plays Sunny. “He is concerned about the state in which he lives.”

Lizbeth Medina’s character, Vanessa, is mostly concerned about herself; however, the actress said as she became more familiar with the character, she realized she is more concerned about those around her than first thought.

“I feel like I can relate to Benny,” Jason said of his character. “He is an ambitious guy.”

“I like Usnavi,” said Taiyo Tatara. “He tells a good story and learns about appreciating what he has. In the end, he realizes he is home and where he wants to be.”

Dahlia said her character struggles with trying to please everyone around her.

“She feels she is not as successful as she was hoping,” Dahlia said.

In addition to being able to understand where their characters are coming from, the music from the show, further helps to tell the story and will appeal to a large audience.

“I love ‘It Won’t Be Long Now,’” Lizbeth said of her favorite number in the show, in which her character reminisces about the elevated train that runs through her neighborhood. While others find the noise disruptive, she hears a sounds from her home.

“It’s the thing she listens for,” Lizbeth said.

Jason said he finds the tune “When the Sun Goes Down” to be powerful, serving as a contrast to the first act.

“He tells Nina he won’t forget her,” he said of his character’s love interest.

For Dahlia, the song “When you are Home” spoke to her as it contains a confession of how her childhood friend has come to love her.

“He is her safe place,” Dahlia said.

‘In the Heights’ will be performed March 22 at 7 p.m. and on March 23 at 2 and 7 p.m. For tickets, visit musical.eufsd.org.