In The Heights Wins Big at the Tonys

Broadway critics and theatergoers are always bemoaning the fact that attracting a younger, more diverse crowd is essential to the ongoing success of live theater. Watching this year’s Tony show, I was glad to see the diversity in talent nominated. The live performances were a mixture of old school Broadway (including most of the new musicals) and two distinct and dramatic departures from the singing and music often heard on the Broadway stage.
At this point, I need to put a disclaimer that I am not a regular Broadway attendee. Most of the singing styles I find quite annoying and not something I would like to sit through for two hours. Having said this, I found the performance for “In the Heights,” the most exciting and entertaining. The liveliness and the real singing from the cast, especially Karen Olivo, blew me away. The “Passing Strange” performance was also enjoyable but for pure joy on a stage, “In the Heights” took the prize (literally and figuratively).
It was a proud moment to see a Puerto Rican (Lin-Manuel Miranda) win the Best Musical as well as the Best Original Score for his first effort.
I have yet to see the show but I did buy the Original Cast Album and it has been on my iPod in regular rotation. The music, lyrics and singing are great. The score uses all types of music from hip-hop and salsa to reggaeton and bachata. Buy it and support Latinos in the arts.