In the Heights play critique

In the Heights is a musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The musical was performed at the John Anthony Theatre at the Spring Creek Collin College campus on March 9, 2014. The show was put together very well. The professionalism was evident in everything from the lights, to the choreography. At the first view of the stage, the audience was immediately transported into Washington Heights New York, on Fourth of July 2014. It was a hot summer day, and with help from the actors, the audience could feel the heat too. The majority of the actors were well cast, and very believable. They portrayed their characters very well. When the leading lady, Nina, felt heartache, the audience felt it with her. When Abuela
Claudia won $96,000 in the lottery, the whole audience rejoiced with her. One of the themes that was communicated was to be content with where you are and what you have. Another theme was to try your best and never give up. At the first glimpse of the set, the whole theater knew what kind of a place they were in and what to expect. It was very realistic. There were four apartment buildings outlining the stage. One on the outer edge of stage left, one on the outer edge of stage right, then one up stage left, and the last one was up stage right. All their windows were open and overlooking the stage.
And there were shops under the apartments, which is where most of the musical took place.
There was graffiti covered all the buildings and trash cans. This is an interpretation to the audience that The Heights is not the most high end town. The set was perfect for the story line.
Not many props were used, but of the few there was a trash can or two, and piragua cart. They are both pretty realistic and able to be taken at face value. The trash cans are used by the dancers as drums, they reveal the free spirit of the character they are portraying. The piragua cart is used by a piragua sales man, this reveals