Talent and energy can hide a multitude of sins in a theatrical production, and when technical values also are first-rate, that's more than enough to create a fine experience, proven by the touring company of "In the Heights," which opened brightly at the Fox Theatre last night, to run through Nov. 22.
The musical about a slice of life in a New York barrio, far enough up on the West Side of Manhattan to make the sight of the George Washington Bridge a focus of Anna Louizos' wonderful set, is rather standard stuff in terms of plot — immigrants trying to make it in a new land, parents sacrificing so their daughter can go to college, the courting of a Latino girl by an African-American man, an action that her father fights.
But that's not what sets the musical apart. Lin-Manuel Miranda composed a tuneful, stylish score and wrote some excellent lyrics, Quiara Alegria added a book that struggles to overcome cliche, but has some interesting characters and Andy Blankenbuehler created some outstanding choreography, best demonstrated by Jose-Luis Lopez as Graffiti Pete, although all the dancers were splendid.
Among the singers/actors, Kyle Beltran (Usnavi) scored very high with rap routines that were exciting and, more important, clearly audible. Rogelio Douglas Jr., as Benny, and Arielle Jacobs, as Nina, were the star-crossed lovers who overcame her parents' objections, while Daniel Bolero and Natalie Toro were strong as her parents. Elise Santoro, as Abuela Claudia, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, as Sonny, and Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, as Vanessa, also brightened the stage considerably, as did David Baida as the Piragua Guy, a pushcart dessert seller whose greatest rival is Mr. Softee.
"In the Heights" is tuneful, bright and extremely conducive to toe-tapping.
At the Fox through Nov. 22
–Joe