February – In The Heights
February was a special month in Twenty-Finkteen as I was part of launching StageArt‘s Australian Premiere of In The Heights. Playing bass and guitar, the show ran for 3 sold out weeks at Melbourne’s Chapel Off Chapel, and will return in 2016 for a limited encore season. Book tickets now here!
Word of the show’s success found it’s way back to composer and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Good morning. My buddy & wunderkind @Eddieperfect tells me the @StageArtAust production of In the Heights is terrific. thanks Australia!
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) March 7, 2015
In The Heights was a remarkable experience, not just to put on an amazing show, but in the genuine passion and enthusiasm from everyone in the cast, crew and band. Inspired by the truly special experience both on stage and off, I got carried away and wrote/filmed a parody video from the band’s perspective. Please mind the rapping. It was very late at night following a very long month.
StageArt are a sensational company to work for, and I was lucky enough to play a few more shows later in the year. Check back in a few days to read more about that. Their 2016 season is off the charts, so see as many as you can!
Band:
- Cameron Thomas – Keys 1
- Patrick Paevere – Keys 2
- Lucy O’Brien – Keys 3
- Caleb Garfinkel – Bass/Guitar
- Lara Wilson – Percussion
- Adam Donaldson – Drums
Show info:
A SIZZLING SALSA AND RAP INFUSED MUSICAL THAT CHALLENGES THE STEREOTYPE OF MODERN DAY MUSICAL THEATRE
IN THE HEIGHTS tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighbourhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.
Music & Lyrics By Lin-Manuel Miranda Book By Quiara Alegria Hudes In Association with Origin Theatrical
Cast:
Usnavi: Stephen Lopez (Underbelly, Fat Tony & Co, Neighbours) Nina: Anna Francesca Armenia (Fed Uni) Benny: James Elmer (ABC 3, Studio 3 Host) Vanessa: Bianca Baykara (The King & I, An Officer & A Gentleman)Daniela: Laura Marcucci (Mamma Mia) Abuella Claudia: Francesca Arena (Cats, Fiddler On The Roof, Les Miserable, Follies) Sonny: Andrew Doyle (VCA) Grafetti Pete: Peter Sette (National Hip Hops Champion) Piragua Guy: Gareth Jacobs (Royal Caribbean Cruises) Carla: Sarah Calsina Camilla: Bianca Bruce, Usnavi Cover: Antony Tahlia.
Ensemble
Demi Sorono (So You Think You Can Dance, Blaze),Timothy Doherty, Samantha Bruzzese, Joshua Martin, Ashleigh Kiven, Nicolas Mena, Elandrah Ermiha, Jake O’brien