Hilo transforms into New York City with the production of ‘In the Heights’

Beginning this weekend, young performers will bring the musical “In the Heights” to Hilo audiences at the Palace Theater stage.

Directed by Jennie Kaneshiro, “In the Heights” tells a universal story within a vibrant community in New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood. It is a romance as well as a celebration of community, culture, and aspiration.

The musical was created by Lin-Manuel Miranda in 1999 and premiered on Broadway in 2008. The story is set over the course of three days, involving characters in the predominantly Hispanic and Latino neighborhood. The score blends hip-hop, salsa, merengue and soul.

For Kaneshiro, “In the Heights” tells a story that is relatable to many people living in Hawaiʻi, however, she was first drawn to the show by its music that makes everyone want to dance.

“I love this musical. It is a beautiful story about people and relationships, but also about their home in Washington Heights,” Kaneshiro said. “The windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.”

While Hilo is a much different place with a much smaller population, young people living here will have to make similar decisions, navigate similar struggles and celebrate similar accomplishments to the characters in the show.

“(Washington Heights) is a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind,” the Hilo Palace Theater press release stated.

“In the Heights” is being put on by Mālama Arts with music direction by Rachel Edwards and choreography by Mana Hoʻopai. The cast and an ensemble, which includes keiki, have been working on the script, music and choreography since the first table read on Jan. 25.

The story follows Usnavi, a bodega owner who was raised by the neighborhood matriarch after his parents, who immigrated from the Dominican Republic, died when he was young.

He is given the opportunity to choose between moving to the Dominican Republic or staying in the neighborhood he has known his entire life.

The other lead character is Nina, who is the first in her family to go to college and is admired in the neighborhood as the “one who made it out.” However, early in the show, she has to tell her parents that she had to drop out as she was unable to balance working and schooling.

The cast includes:

• Nick Mendoza as Usnavi
• Jessica Smith as Nina
• Kassidy Wilson as Vanessa
• Charles Haines as Benny
• Sonni Shine as Abuela Claudia
• Kamaka Kalaola-Bowman as Sonny
• Pomai Conant-Longakit as Daniela
• Tiari Faʻagata as Carla
• Vincent Zamora as Kevin
• Jackie Gomes as Camila
• Ricky Alvarez as Piragua Guy
• Zoe Kaneshiro as Graffiti Pete

“In the Heights” is showing at the Hilo Palace Theater for two weekends from Friday, March 20, to Sunday, March 29. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays for both weekends.

Tickets are $15 for students, $20 for general admission and $30 for priority reserve seating. All ticket sales are final, and all tickets increase by $5 the day of the show. To purchase tickets, visit the Hilo Palace theater website.

The show is being put on by Mālama Arts, a non-profit with the mission to mālama (care for) the people of Hilo and Hawaiʻi Island through the performing arts and arts education. The organization puts on productions and hosts a play reading series once a month.