Orlando Shakes’ ‘Heights’ radiates joy, warmth, love

Things did not start off well at Wednesday evening’s performance of Orlando Shakes’ “In the Heights.” Oh, things looked great on the stage, but a technical problem created an godawful buzzing noise from the soundboard — mere feet from where I and many others were sitting. Imagine the sound of a dying alarm clock… then imagine it going on for 20 minutes.

Based on the muttering around me, I was not the only one finding it difficult to concentrate on the show. I had just decided to discreetly exit when thankfully the buzzing stopped. Perhaps, like the show’s Abuela Claudia says, I just needed

paciencia y fe – patience and faith. And thank God I stayed. For “In the Heights” is pure joy to watch. In fact, the show’s warmth flows in every direction , radiating with love of family, love of one’s culture, love of the energy of New York City and most of all, a love of home.

The nine-piece band captures the Latin flavor of the score with precision and passion. The uniformly strong cast is radiant — just watch the ensemble pull off Kim Ball’s urban and Caribbean-inspired choreography. And the intimate layout of the Shakes’ Margeson Theater puts the audience right in these characters’ neighborhood.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, who would go on to create “Hamilton,” wrote the music and lyrics. Quiara Alegría Hudes’ story succeeds by being universal even while being beautifully specific to the story’s immigrant neighborhood.

Director Nick DeGruccio expertly balances big and exuberant production numbers with smaller, emotional moments.