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Ottawa Citizen

Lester B. Pearson presents a dynamic and heartfelt production of In the Heights

Article content Show # 16 Article content Article content Rasha Alli, Critic Article content Article content A story of dreams, identity, and the bonds of community: Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School's In The Heights delivered a moving and heartfelt production, filled with emotionally charged scenes and powerful performances. From the intricately designed set to the immense talents of the cast and crew, In The Heights was an impressive showcase, layered with heartfelt moments and powerful character arcs. Article content Article content Written by Lin Manuel Miranda, In The Heights revolves around the lives of residents in Washington Heights, a close-knit but financially struggling neighbourhood in New York. At the center is Usnavi, an orphaned bodega owner who looks after caring community figure Abuela Claudia and aspires to win the lottery to return to the Dominican Republic. A childhood friend of Usnavi, Nina, returns home after losing her scholarship and dropping out of Stanford — news that deeply disappoints her parents and her community. The musical explores the dreams, hardships, and strength of the community as their stories unfold. Article content Julia Dorego-Rabor, who portrayed Nina, delivered a standout performance with grace and intensity. Expressive physicality and nuanced facial expressions brought Nina's emotional journey to life. Paired with a commanding vocal ability, Dorego-Rabor crafted a character filled with vulnerability, strength, and ambition—captivating the audience with every moment on stage. Article content Article content Brandon Rizo brought electric energy to the role of Usnavi, captivating the audience with bold vocals and magnetic stage presence. Rizo's rapping was both technically sharp and emotionally engaging, and its clear enunciation made every lyric land with impact. Rizo's infectious energy elevated each scene, creating dynamic interactions and a vibrant, pulsing rhythm throughout the show. Article content Article content Another memorable performance came from Andrea Martinez-Barrera, who seamlessly balanced the demanding role of Camilla with that of a featured dancer. As Camilla, Martinez-Barrera delivered emotionally charged dialogue and passionate vocals, perfectly capturing the strength and frustration of a loving, overworked mother. As a part of the ensemble, Martinez-Barrera, along with Sara Brown and Bellange Romain, performed dynamic and eye-catching dance scenes with incredible skill, maintaining energy levels throughout. Article content Beyond the remarkable cast, the technical elements of the production played a vital role in bringing Washington Heights to life. The set design was both detailed and purposeful, enhancing the musical's themes of home and community. A standout piece was the hand-painted mural of Abuela Claudia—portrayed by Isabella Cajina—created with pastels by Abigail Jorza and Gloria Jean Verner. The mural, which took months to complete, was breathtaking in both scale and execution. Scene transitions were smoothly managed by the stage crew, maintaining seamless momentum without ever disrupting the show's flow.