ON OFF BROADWAY: In the Heights with Corbin Bleu

Thursday, February 25, 2010

In the Heights with Corbin Bleu

Just like the "American Idol" contestants that have trickled onto Broadway, the cast of "High School Musical" was bound to eventually follow suit. 21-year-old Corbin Bleu, who played Zac Efron's buddy Chad Danforth in the popular Disney film franchise, has joined the cast of the popular hip-hop musical "In the Heights" as Dominican bodega owner and narrator Usnavi, the role originated by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show's creator and composer.

Bleu stresses Usnavi's geeky bashfulness and handles his character's rapping with impressive ease. The fact that Bleu is not actually Latino hardly matters, but he is clearly too young for the role. Even with the addition of a goatee and cap, Bleu resembles a young teen performing in a high school musical production of "In the Heights." As a result, Usnavi and his younger cousin Sonny now look like twin brothers.

While Bleu is openly affectionate towards Olga Merediz, who plays his aunt Abuela Claudia, he has little sexual chemistry with Marcy Harriell, who replaced Karen Olivo as neighborhood hottie Vanessa. Harriell is sweet and mopey but altogether unconvincing as Vanessa, who desperately wants to leave the neighborhood, and lacks the rough edge that Olivo brought to the role.

Janet Dacal, who originated the role of Carla, has graduated to playing Nina, who has just returned home following her freshman year at Stanford. Dascal, a gorgeous actress with an incredible voice, gives a powerfully subtle performance that comes off as too mature for the teenage character.

Overall, this musical valentine to the Washington Heights community remains an incredible showstopper thanks to its high-energy choreography, catchy hip-hop musical score, and cheery spirit. Here's hoping the "High School Musical" crowd will want to see Bleu in a far better musical.

"In the Heights" is playing an open run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

226 W. 46th St., 212-307-4100, intheheightsthemusical.com.

3 Comments:

At February 25, 2010 9:10 AM , Kate the Great said...: It's never been clear to me how old Usnavi is supposed to be. He's around the same age as Nina, who must be about 18-19 since she just finished her first year of college, but he's old enough to run a store and be the boss of Sonny. I figure that could put him around 21-23, which makes Bleu the perfect age.
At February 25, 2010 11:40 AM , Matt said...: There's a serious age disparity going on with the current cast. Chris Jackson looks considerably older than Bleu. Dacal, who I think was fantastic, does not look like a teenager. But whatever. They're all dynamic performers and doing a fine job.
At February 28, 2010 1:10 AM , londynnow said...: I believe the character of Usnavi is supposed to be mid twenties. Bleu certainly looks younger than Lin and Javier, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. Overall, I was quite impressed with his performance. Just a note, Olga does not play Usnavi's aunt. She's *abuela* Claudia- she's his surrogate grandmother (and half the neighborhood's too, it seems).
Janet Dacal doesn't look like a teenager, but she reads younger than Mandy Gonzalez, who I loved as Nina, but certainly could not pass for a 19 year old. I adored Janet as Carla, but it was awesome to see her play Nina last weekend. I'd heard such great things about her portrayal from when she'd understudied the role, and IMO she was excellent as Nina. If they cast an actress to play Nina who really did look 19, it wouldn't work with Chris Jackson. And I'm a big fan of his, so I'm fine with casting a bit older for Nina.