In the Heights — now onstage at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center for the first stop on its inaugural national tour — has non-stop energy. The most remarkable thing about this play is the driving beat of the music and dance numbers in many Latino styles from salsa to hip-hop. The vigorous ensemble cast provides a non-stop spectacle that flows effortlessly to the tune of the infectious beat.
This show started out as a college project for composer-lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda. From there he opened it as an off-Broadway production, and the show garnered such attention and developed such a cult following that it was produced for Broadway. Since then it has won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In a way, the show embodies the dreams of its characters to make good in the larger world.
