Musical of the Week!: In The Heights

Photo by Rich Ryan

In this feature, Musical of the Week!, the Ordway Education team is highlighting past Ordway Originals. Join us as we take a deep dive into the story, themes and characters of these favorite musicals.

This week, we're taking a look at the Ordway's 2017 production of In the Heights.

Over two years, the Ordway and Teatro del Pueblo collaborated to produce West Side Story and In the Heights at the Ordway - working together on casting, creative direction, community engagement, marketing and educational initiatives. Core to this collaboration was to establish an equitable and transparent partnership between the two organizations, starting with bottom line discussions and clarity of roles and responsibilities. Many lessons were learned along the way, as well as outcomes achieved, including the offering of matinees for schools, a tour to Dayton Ohio of In the Heights, professional growth and development for artists and administrators and in creative teams and casts that represented the racial and ethnic diversity of the artists who stories were being told. "- Shelley Quiala, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement

Content below is adapted from the Ordway's In the Heights Study Guide- click here to view the full guide.

Story:  

In the Heights centers on Usnavi, who owns his family’s bodega in Washington Heights. Through the eyes of Usnavi, the show weaves together the stories of the residents of Washington Heights: Nina, home from her freshman year of college, struggles to reconcile her family’s expectations with her desires; Benny, her boyfriend, has aspirations of being a business owner; Daniela, a hairdresser, dreams of making an affluent life for herself in downtown; and Abuela Claudia does her best to hold her family and culture together in her new country while still longing for her life in Cuba. All of these characters exist within a larger drama: which of Usnavi’s customers holds the winning $96,000 lottery ticket that was purchased in his bodega? 

Central Themes:

Family, Community, “What is Home?”, Latinx Culture, Immigrant Communities

Musical Genres:

Latin, Afro-Caribbean, Salsa, Hip Hop, Rap, Pop

2008 Broadway Cast Album is available on Spotify

Deep Dive Enrichment: The Music and Language of IN THE HEIGHTS

Characters:

Photo by Rich Ryan

Usnavi De La Vega: Usnavi is the 24 year old owner of De La Vega’s Bodega. His Dominican Republic immigrant parents passed away, so he lives with Abuela Claudia.  He is the narrator who sets the pace for the stories of the residents of Washington Heights.


Nina Rosario: The daughter of Kevin and Camilla, Nina has just completed her freshman year at Stanford University. She is a first generation college student, and represents the opportunity that exists outside of Washington Heights.   

Benny: Benny works for the Rosarios as a cab driver. He and Usnavi are best friends, and he eventually falls in love with Nina. He sees a future for Nina and him through becoming a businessman.
Daniela: Daniela owns and runs her own salon. Due to the rising price of rent, however, she is being forced out of her successful business. 

Abuela Claudia: The matriarch of the neighborhood, Abuela Claudia raised Usnavi after the death of his parents.  She emigrated to “The Heights” at a young age from Cuba, and has committed her life to helping those in a similar situation.

Activities and Lessons: 

Photo by Rich Ryan

Activity for Students and Parents:
Recommended for Grades K-5

Create a play or musical about your neighborhood.

• What would be the title?
• Create a character list with descriptions. Who would live within this world?
• What would the central plot be that would convey life in your neighborhood?
• Describe or draw the scenic design and set.
• Describe or draw the characters’ costumes.

Share your picture, description, or set design with us!
Send an email to ordwayeducation@ordway.org or Tag #ordwayschooled 

Lesson Plan for Teachers and Parents: 
Recommended for Grades 6-12 

Objective: Students will explore how a musical is developed from a literary text or historical event.

Materials:

• computer
• a list of literary texts students have read through their regular curriculum
• The Kennedy Center’s ArtsEdge’s “Developing a Musical” Handout (http://bit.ly/QrGcB5)

Instructions: 

1. Remind students that many Broadway shows are derived from literary works (e.g. Once on this Island, The Color Purple.) Explain to students that it is now their turn to pick a literary text to turn into a popular musical.
2. If possible, divide the class into virtual groups of two or three. Share with students your list of literary texts and the “Developing a Musical” handout.
3. In those groups, ask students to select one literary work. Then have them brainstorm the various aspects that would be needed to stage this literary piece using the prompts from the “Developing a Musical” handout.
4. Ask each group to share their findings with the class. After each presentation, lead a discussion with the students on the possible opportunities and challenges that may exist with each adaptation. 

We'd love to hear from you! Let us know how you adapted this lesson to make it work in your online learning! Email us at OrdwayEducation@ordway.org. 

Video Feature:

Rush Benson and Renee Guitar were in the ensemble of In the Heights at the Ordway- check out their Musical Theater Dance combo to a great song from the show.