Now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre is ‘In The Heights,’ a musical that takes place over the course of three days in the largely Hispanic-American neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City. It opened on Friday April 12 and runs until Sunday May 5, 2019. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. The upcoming ASL Night will be on Sunday May 5 with 25% off all tickets with code ASL. Tickets are available online or by calling the Box Office at 210-267-8388. Prices are $30 for adults, $24 for Senior/Military/First Responders and $18 for Children/Students.

‘In The Heights’ is set in Washington Heights and begins as the sun rises on the hottest day of the summer and Usnavi De La Vega (Miguel Ochoa), the owner of a small bodega, introduces the audience to the corner’s diverse residents. This includes Abuela Claudia, (Ana Hernandez) the local matriarch who helped raise most of them and Kevin (Michael J. Gonzalez) and Camila Rosario, (Victoria Nieves) who run the cab company “In The Heights.” Nina (Jillian Sainz), the Rosario’s daughter, is back from her first year at Stanford feeling defeated since she dropped out due to financial hardships. She is considered the “one who made it” and because she feels the weight of the neighborhood on her shoulders, she fears telling her parents the truth “Breathe.” When they eventually find out, they argue and Kevin feels inadequate at not being able to provide for his family “Inutil (Useless).” Everyone’s luck begins to turn when Usnavi’s bodega sells a winning lottery ticket and Abuela Claudia is the lucky winner. She passes away but not before distributing her winnings to help the neighborhood even with the changes it is experiencing. The Rosarios decide to sell the family business to help Nina with her college expenses and Nina finds love with Benny (Venny Mortimer). In the end, Usnavi is planning his future with Vanessa (Lisa Decker), his longtime crush, and accepts his role in the neighborhood and the bodega as his true home. “Finale”

The diversity of the Hispanic community and the challenges that unites them takes center stage in this entertaining musical. Despite life’s challenges, they pull together, fueled by humor and music, and prove that family is more than genetics. The talented cast works well together but Miguel Ochoa shines as Usnavi and Michael J. Gonzalez’ portrayal of Kevin’s complex character shows off his talent. Show highlights include “Breathe” as Nina laments disappointing her family and friends who wanted her to succeed, “Carnaval del Barrio (Neighborhood Carnival)” when the neighborhood celebrates after they learn who won the lottery and “Alabanza (Praise)” after Abuela Claudia passes away and they all set up a memorial outside her home. The latter number definitely pulls on the heart strings. With Fiesta season in full swing, this is the perfect time to catch the musical that celebrates Hispanic culture and music. Some of the dialogue and singing is in Spanish but the universal themes of family, loyalty and love transcends the language barriers and makes “In The Heights” a must-see production.