Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

'In The Heights' opens Tuesday at the Fox

The Broadway production of the Tony Award-winning musical “In The Heights” opens at the Fox Theatre on Tuesday, bringing a fresh, new type of musical.

The show features Latin and hip-hop music, along with a standard Broadway story line, according to one of its stars, Elise Santora. She is reviving her role at Abuela Claudia directly from the Broadway cast.

“We are really enjoying doing this show on tour, because of it’s unique aspect of a Broadway production,” Santora said. “Yes, we feature a Latino theme and music, but our story is one of hope, change and encouragement.”

Santora believes that “In The Heights” is typical to the Broadway productions of the past, but incorporates the Latino factor, dealing with the neighborhood Washington Heights in New York.

“Our families immigrated to this part of the New York metropolitan area just a generation or two ago, and we have the same hopes and dreams that other families in America have, which is to provide a better life for ourselves and our families,” Santora said.

The show centers on the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, which is filled with immigrants from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and other Spanish-speaking regions. Many are first-generation Americans looking to move up and out of the barrio or to provide better lives for their children.

“It’s a really fitting and uplifting story for our generation,” Santora added. “However, it’s not just for the Latino community, it’s what everyone wants out of life.”

Santora plays the character of Abuela (Spanish for ‘grandmother') Claudia, sort of the matriarch of the neighborhood.

“My character is the typical grandmother character you find in all families,” Santora said. “She is wise and steadfast in her beliefs, yet struggles to find new ways to make life for her family better.”

The touring production of “In The Heights” opened in Tampa at the end of October, and played a week in Atlanta from Nov. 3-8 before making its move to St. Louis.

Asked about a Latino-themed musical touring the country, including to a city like St. Louis, Santora feels that there is no barrier to cross, because of the premise of the story.

“I don’t know if there is a large Latino population in the St. Louis area, but it’s about the story, it just happens to be of a Latino flavor,” Santora said. “Also, maybe the audience can learn a little more about the Latino culture. We do not see a barrier, only doors that we can open.”

Santora is a veteran of Broadway and other touring productions, but feels especially close to this cast.

“Many of us are from the Broadway cast, and we have developed quite a closeness, and especially when traveling,” Santora said. “We have become a family, just like the family in the show.”

“In the Heights” was winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestrations at the 2008 ceremonies.

“We are enjoying touring, but we do have a little nervousness out on the road,” Santora said. “Instead of playing for a year-and-a-half at one venue, we get to have a ‘new opening night’ at every city. It’s not nerves really, it’s just the excitement that we get to bring something new to every city we visit -- and the response of the audience has been wonderful. That’s our reward.”