MORE THAN JUST A REVIVAL, THIS INTIMATE
IN THE HEIGHTS IS A JOYFUL TRIBUTE
TO COMMUNITY AND DREAMS
Before Hamilton changed the face of Broadway, there was In the Heights—Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first revolution. Bursting onto the scene in 2008, it infused hip-hop, salsa, merengue, Broadway, and street-smart storytelling into a genre that never saw it coming. And while Hamilton became a global juggernaut, In the Heights —with a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes—was the one that cracked open the door, proving that the stories of Washington Heights—and the rhythms that fueled them—belonged on center stage.
Ángel Lozada
The cast of In the Heights at Signature Theatre
Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, has thrown open that door once again with a sizzling, full-throttle, immersive production running through May 4, 2025. Under James Vásquez’s dynamic direction, the MAX Theatre is transformed into a pulsing, sun-soaked block where community, dreams, and struggle collide in a kaleidoscope of movement and music. The result? A show that doesn’t just tell a story—it throws you right into the heart of it.
Adriana Scalice (Vanessa), Victoria Gómez (Nina),
Carianmax Benitez (Carla), and Karmine Alers (Daniela)
Nicolas Garza (Sonny), Ángel Lozada (Usnavi),
Michael Marrero (Graffiti Pete) and Chibueze Ihuoma (Benny)
At its core is Usnavi (charismatic Ángel Lozada), the ever-hustling bodega owner with aspirations of returning to the Dominican Republic. Lozada is electric, delivering Miranda’s mile-a-minute rhymes with exhilarating clarity and charm. He makes you feel like you’re overhearing the best neighborhood storyteller rather than watching a performance. Surrounding him is a tight-knit neighborhood brimming with ambition: Vanessa (Adriana Scalice), striving for a life beyond the barrio; Nina (Victoria Gómez), a prodigal daughter struggling under the weight of expectations; and Benny (Chibueze Ihuoma), her earnest, ambitious love interest. Then, there’s the soul of the Heights itself—Abuela Claudia, played with immense warmth and gravitas by Rayanne Gonzales. When she takes center stage for “Paciencia y Fe,” reflecting on a lifetime of struggle and resilience, it’s not only rapturous but one of the most emotionally powerful moments in the show. As a heatwave and blackout shake the Heights, the characters confront what home truly means.
Victoria Gómez (Nina), Chibueze Ihuoma (Benny) and the cast
Ángel Lozada (Usnavi), Adriana Scalice (Vanessa) and Nicolas Garza (Sonny)
And speaking of song—Miranda’s genre-melting score, equal parts poetry and party, is in expert hands. Musical director Angie Benson and her scorching-hot band ride the rhythms with the precision of a DJ mixing the ultimate summer block party. Every number hums with life, from the lottery-ticket mania of “96,000” to the soul-shaking joy of “Carnaval del Barrio.” Gómez’s rendition of “Breathe” is a gut-punch of emotion, while Lozada spits out rapid-fire lyrics so effortlessly, you’ll want to see the show twice just to catch it all.
Ángel Lozada (Usnavi) and the cast
José J. Muñoz and the cast
Then, there’s the movement—because In the Heights doesn’t just sing, it dances. Choreographer Shani Talmor’s work is a living, breathing pulse of the show, infusing Latin dance and hip-hop with boundless energy. The stage is alive with footwork that’s fast, fierce, and utterly hypnotic. The movement is electrifying—passionate and percussive, with rhythms so intense they can be felt in the seats.
Berto Fernández (Piragua Guy), Karmine Alers (Daniela), Ángel Lozada (Usnavi) and the cast
Chibueze Ihuoma (Benny) and Victoria Gómez (Nina)
But beneath all the infectious beats and dazzling choreography lies In the Heights’ real magic—its heart. This is a show about home, sacrifice, and the universal longing to find your place in the world. It tackles gentrification, the immigrant experience, and what it means to hold on to a dream when everything around you is changing. Even years after its Broadway debut, its message hasn’t aged a day. If anything, it’s only grown more urgent.
Adriana Scalice (Vanessa), Ángel Lozada (Usnavi) and the cast
There’s a song sung by Usnavi and Nina called “Alabanza”—a Spanish word meaning to “raise this thing to God’s face”—in which they sing “praise to this.” I raise my glass to honor Signature’s In the Heights because it is more than a revival. It’s a celebration, a wake-up call, and a love letter to the very people it represents. And when the final note fades, the question isn’t if it will stay with you. It’s how long. My guess? Long after the last echoes of “Alabanza” have disappeared into the night.
photos by DJ Corey Photography
In the Heights
Signature Theatre
MAX Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave in Arlington, VA
2 hours 30 minutes include 15 min intermission
ends on May 4, 2025
for tickets, call 703-820-9771 or visit Signature
for more shows, visit Theatre in DC
