“In The Heights” to debut this weekend at Watertown Children’s Theatre
November 14, 2019
Watertown Children’s Theatre has been in rehearsals for “In The Heights” for about two months and it is ready to go on stage this weekend.
The curtain will rise on the four times in the WCT’s MainStage Theater this weekend: Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m., and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.
“In The Heights” is a 2008 Broadway show written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also wrote the smash hit “Hamilton”. The story is all about immigrants who live in Washington Heights in NYC, and it is loosely based on Miranda’s life. The show takes place on the Fourth of July weekend, which is the hottest of the summer.
The director of the show, David Wright, has been music directing at WCT for about three years. Although this is his first time directing an entire show at WCT, he has directed adults many other places. When asked during rehearsals about how “In The Heights” is going, he said, “I think that [the actors] have a really hard job to do because not only do they have to understand the background, but they have to learn and internalize some really difficult harmonies and choreography.”
Throughout the interview, he emphasized how impressive the actors were doing with the material.
“ ‘Alabanza’ is my favorite number because we just did it,” he said. “In a room of 60 students in that number, it’s only supposed to be about 5-6 extra. But to hear how held back everyone is because they understand its a tender moment.”
“Alabanza” takes place in Act 2 after a huge change in the neighborhood. It is a very powerful moment and the cast tackled it flawlessly.”
The community the cast has created is like no other one the director has seen at WCT. Because of this, he is really excited to share it with everyone’s family.
“It will be a joy to sit back and watch everyone experience it even though I know them,” he said. “I am still surprised by how powerful the material is and how hard they are working to do it in a respectful way. Looking forward to everyone else enjoying the show like I have been in every rehearsal.”
“In The Heights” will have four performances Nov. 15-17, so mark your calendars to come see this exciting show at WCT.
(“In The Heights” will be performed Nov. 15, 16, and 17. For tickets and more information, go to http://www.mosesianarts.org/index.php/shows/childrens-theatre/wct-presents-in-the-heights.)
–Nov. 14, 2019–
