In The Heights

By Kerline Batista

11th Grade, Marble Hill High School for International Studies

In The Heights is an extraordinary musical that tells the tale of Usnavi and his community in Washington Heights, the primarily Hispanic neighborhood located at the top of Manhattan. As a person who was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, this is the closest connection I have ever felt to a play.

Usnavi is a twenty-year-old orphan who runs the corner bodega. He takes care of Abuela Claudia, the woman who “practically raised him” and his younger cousin Sonny, while also dealing with his feelings for Vanessa, a friend who works down the street. Usnavi’s neighbor, Nina, returns from Stanford for the summer and struggles to tell her parents that she lost her scholarship. She becomes involved with her father’s employee, Benny. There is a scene in which Nina teaches Benny some Spanish. This is a common thing for Latinos — to want to share our language with our friends.
A highlight of the show is Jordin Sparks (from American Idol!) as Nina, along with the music and choreography, which are completely astonishing — mixing up salsa, meringue, and even rap. The set, with the view of the George Washington Bridge behind the picture-perfect bodega, looks completely authentic.

In The Heights is the story of people dealing with decisions, struggles and relationships— everyone will be able to relate to it.

Music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegría Hudes.

TICKETS: $26.50 lottery rush • Richard Rogers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St. www.intheheightsthemusical.com

Hip Hop High - The Musical

By Kerline Batista

Drew Moore is the new kid in town who attracts chaos everywhere he goes in Hip Hop High - The Musical. Soon after moving to a new town from Philly, Drew finds himself facing trouble after he witnesses the robbery and the murder of his local bodega man. He quickly recognizes the murderers as Trench and his crew from school. Throughout the show, we see Drew face a battle within himself over whether or not he should keep his mouth shut or tell the detectives who did it. At the same time, he sets his eyes on Kassie - better known as "the next Christina Aguilera." Meanwhile, we see Drew's friend, Pyro, trying to persuade Drew into joining his dance crew.

The storyline has been done million of times and leaves plenty to be desired. The first rap battle seems a bit familiar to that one of Eminem's in 8 Mile and the whole feel of the musical is almost the same as the Step Up movies. Nevertheless, this show is able to stand on its own with a surprise twist at the end.

The great amount of talent that the actors have is completely astonishing.The young actors stand out, but so do the adults, who do a bit rapping of their own.

If you're looking to see a show that requires you to connect emotionally, then this probably isn't the right choice. However, If you're looking to have a careless fun time while watching a show, then this is most definitely the right show to see. Hip Hop High - The Musical is an hour and ten minutes of pure excitement.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

My Dad's Crazier Than Your Dad: A Scientific Inquiry

By Kerline Batista

My Dad's Crazier Than Your Dad is a solo act brought to you in a unique form - it's carried out as a lecture in a college class. Katharine Heller tries to convince you of just how crazy her father is by conducting a science experiment. She recalls countless stories of her and her dad beginning from her childhood and continuing all the way through her adulthood, as she goes through the steps of the scientific method.

At the beginning of the show, I wondered why she was so driven to prove that her dad is crazy. However, after Heller began telling us how Mr.Heller and his wife wore matching Disney sweatshirts, how he faked his own death, and how at a graduation he sat in a handicapped seat just so he could get the best seat, I started to believe her. Though the show will make you laugh hysterically, it will also cause you connect with your emotional side, as Katharine presents the audience with letters and email exchanges between her and her dad.

By the end of the show, I think the audience reached a consensus that Katharine's father is actually nuts. As she says in the show, her dad really seems to be "an equation that won't add up."

If you have a chance to see this show, do it. You won't regret it. Katherine shines with her wittiness and her comedic timing. The show is only fifty minutes long - and you'll be laughing for about forty nine minutes and fifty nine seconds.

*PLOG PICK

Schedule and ticket information here.