By:  Alyssa Calubayan ’17

Staff Writer

Cherry Hill West Theater is taking a different route for this spring musical. Starting the 21, 22, 23, 28, and 29 of March at 7:30 pm, it won’t be your traditional Grease Lightning number. Instead it involves more hip-hop, rap, breakdancing, and a Hispanic feel to it. Well, of course it would because if you couldn’t tell by the title the play production is the Tony award winning In the Heights directed by English teacher Mrs. Messias.
“This is something a little different than what we done before with all the choreography,” says one of the ensemble members. “But once we learned the steps to the whole hip-hop routines, we really got down and we’re looking forward to perform.”
The plot centers on how the Washington Heights neighbor comes together as a family to help one another. The lead cast includes Ethan Abrams as Usnavi, Dionna Vereen as Nina Rosario, Michela Hall playing Vanessa, Robert Pertroski as Benny, Anthony Verme as Kevin, Zayna Yousef as Camila Rosario, Sam Foxwell playing Abuela Claudia, Morgan Smith as Daniela, the hair dressers played by Kaylee Mattoon and Brooke Burns plus Ryan Sagedy playing Piragua. “
I call this cast ‘My perfect storm’. It was just the right people for the right parts this year and they’re all a very talented bunch.” Smiled Mrs. Messias.  You might think, why the show In the Heights? Well, It’s different from the plays that West had done before. This play is like no other. It has a different flavor from previous musicals like Hairspray. The routines mainly consists of hip-hop which is always a favorite and it has a beautiful theme added to it all. The theme focuses on family, friendship, and a community working together as a family. Get your tickets soon!