In The Heights (Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company - MUSCOM)
Probably the epitome of a 'modern musical' but, still with some connection to a classic, 'In The Heights' is an early work from the now much renowned Lin-Manuel Miranda and there is no doubt that this laid the foundation for the now supremely successful 'Hamilton' but, in my mind it also has a feel of West Side Story about it. In this case the 'Heights' referred to is 'Washington Heights' a predominantly Hispanic-American populated area of New York City and the story is very much about community, family and friends highlighting the complexities of relationships.
Muscom (Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company) have chosen this challenging piece for their next production and I was lucky enough to be able to see the Final Dress Rehearsal which I have to say went incredibly well and can only bode well for the performances to come, Much credit must go to the production team who may not have realised quite what they had taken on but, have created something that I have no doubt will be talked about for some time and remembered forever.
Denny Robinson takes the helm as Director and creates an evocative and emotional passage of time for the audience with some truly inspirational choreography from Kimberley Corsellis and definitive musical direction of what is in his own words 'probably the most difficult' score that many a musician will ever see by James Maddison.
Providing those emotional highs and lows are an exceptional cast, led by Alec White as Usnavi, proprietor of the local bodega and the key deliverer of some highly intricate 'rap lyrics', supported ably by lazy yet ambitious cousin Sonny played by Jack Cottis. Love interest for Usnavi is Vanessa and played by one of a number outstanding voices in this cast, Georgia Hudson, somewhat shackled by her alcoholic mother but, determined to better herself.
Running the local Taxi Company is Kevin Rosario played resolutely by Phil Drinkwater and his wife Camilla played with every ounce of 'latino charm' by Ruby Hudson. Daughter Nina having escaped the locality and made it to university, sadly returns having found the burden too much and dropped out, played exquisitely (and with probably the stand-out voice of the night) by Rosie Harper. Much to the disgust of her father she strikes up a romantic relationship with Benny, an all round piece of refined stagecraft from Liam Sargeant.
Probably the most touching performance comes from Johann Davis as matriarch Abeula Claudia, sadly this character dies before the end of the show but, not before Johann gets the chance to ‘belt out’ the song ‘Patience and Faith’ a moment well worth waiting for.
Vanessa works at the local Hair Salon run by Daniela, a bold, brash and witty performance from Amy Evans and alongside Carla another piece of breathtaking characterisation and vocalisation from Katie Astbury. Some cameo appearances well worth a mention are Mike Astley as Graffiti Pete, Joe Logan as ices/coffee vendor Piraguero and a couple of stunning vocal solos from Jess Needham.
Suffice to say this is something different, refreshing, intriguing and engaging, so enhance your experience of Musical Theatre and grab some tickets for ‘In The Heights’ which runs from 5th to 8th September 2018 at the Dormston Mill Theatre, Sedgley.
Book Here
Muscom (Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company) have chosen this challenging piece for their next production and I was lucky enough to be able to see the Final Dress Rehearsal which I have to say went incredibly well and can only bode well for the performances to come, Much credit must go to the production team who may not have realised quite what they had taken on but, have created something that I have no doubt will be talked about for some time and remembered forever.
Denny Robinson takes the helm as Director and creates an evocative and emotional passage of time for the audience with some truly inspirational choreography from Kimberley Corsellis and definitive musical direction of what is in his own words 'probably the most difficult' score that many a musician will ever see by James Maddison.
Providing those emotional highs and lows are an exceptional cast, led by Alec White as Usnavi, proprietor of the local bodega and the key deliverer of some highly intricate 'rap lyrics', supported ably by lazy yet ambitious cousin Sonny played by Jack Cottis. Love interest for Usnavi is Vanessa and played by one of a number outstanding voices in this cast, Georgia Hudson, somewhat shackled by her alcoholic mother but, determined to better herself.
Running the local Taxi Company is Kevin Rosario played resolutely by Phil Drinkwater and his wife Camilla played with every ounce of 'latino charm' by Ruby Hudson. Daughter Nina having escaped the locality and made it to university, sadly returns having found the burden too much and dropped out, played exquisitely (and with probably the stand-out voice of the night) by Rosie Harper. Much to the disgust of her father she strikes up a romantic relationship with Benny, an all round piece of refined stagecraft from Liam Sargeant.
Probably the most touching performance comes from Johann Davis as matriarch Abeula Claudia, sadly this character dies before the end of the show but, not before Johann gets the chance to ‘belt out’ the song ‘Patience and Faith’ a moment well worth waiting for.
Vanessa works at the local Hair Salon run by Daniela, a bold, brash and witty performance from Amy Evans and alongside Carla another piece of breathtaking characterisation and vocalisation from Katie Astbury. Some cameo appearances well worth a mention are Mike Astley as Graffiti Pete, Joe Logan as ices/coffee vendor Piraguero and a couple of stunning vocal solos from Jess Needham.
Suffice to say this is something different, refreshing, intriguing and engaging, so enhance your experience of Musical Theatre and grab some tickets for ‘In The Heights’ which runs from 5th to 8th September 2018 at the Dormston Mill Theatre, Sedgley.
Book Here
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