With an audience of around 800 people and more turned away at the door, CCHS Drama saw a record-breaking crowd at the closing night of In The Heights. With loads of positive feedback rolling in from countless people, the show has had a historical, loving reception. Those who missed the performances may be asking what makes this show so appealing and enticing.

According to Playbill, In The Heights, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, follows the lives of a found-family in Washington Heights, New York, as they battle loss, win lotteries, and navigate love. The diverse cast of characters reflects and represents people from varying walks of life. I find there is a beauty in the immense number of stories being told at once, as the community onstage truly feels connected, not like a fabricated family for the sake of a performance.

Throughout the rehearsal process and run of the show, I was able to see the beautiful connections actors made to their characters in a way I have never seen at Cathedral. With the show taking place in such a current time and well-known place, I observed many students saw themselves in their respective roles in a way they have been unable to in the fantastical Once Upon A Mattress, nor the gritty, ancient story told in Hadestown — the two main stage musical productions put on by CCHS Drama in the 2024-2025 school year. In The Heights was greatly enhanced by the true connections the performers could make to their characters, as well as the personas shaped by our ensemble.

Actress and CCHS sophomore, Maisie Enriquez, shared the connection she felt to her character Vanessa. The character is an aspiring fashion designer working at a hair salon in Washington Heights, always wanting more and knowing there is more out there for her. Maisie was able to connect with Vanessa deeply, stating, “Her determination to follow her dreams and follow her path and do what she loves is something that I see in myself.”

She states she admires Vanessa’s ability to live in the moment and, throughout her portrayal of the character, Maisie Enriquez has begun to incorporate such habits into her daily life. In doing so, Maisie understands “trying to find the little joys will just make life so much more enjoyable, especially because it’s so short.”

The overall message of In The Heights is one of love and community that I believe everyone could use right now. Finding home in the things you love and the people you surround yourself with is extremely important for any person. Enriquez states, “Home is always where you look for it.”

I have learnt that by finding my home in my classrooms and extracurricular activities, whether it be a person, a habit, or a landmark, I interact more positively. When I feel comfortable in my environment there is a freedom of expression that follows, and I have seen the same effects of a comfortable environment on my peers.

‘Home’, in a non-physical sense, grounds us in our lives and keeps us confident in who we are, a recurring theme. “I think being proud of who you are is a huge message from this show,” Maisie Enriquez expresses, “Like Usnavi says, ‘Wherever we go, we rep our people’. Being able to be confident in yourself and proud of what you do, not trying to change for anyone else, and just knowing who you are is a huge part of the show that I hope the audience takes away.”

Especially for a teen audience, I find this show is so important because it expresses the message in the most directly relatable way. For audiences who may not be versed in theater and can struggle to decipher themes and motifs from most shows, In The Heights states its message in a digestible way — through the perspective of young adults in 21st century America.

The story of ‘El Barrio’ also holds great importance as it tells the story of immigrants and descendants of immigrants. As the daughter of an immigrant myself, I find it so empowering how this show highlights the greatness and achievements possible of every person, whether American-born or not. The privilege to tell such a beautiful story of such a diverse group of people will have a special place in my heart.

I could tell that the cultural aspects of the show not only touched me, but also my fellow cast members. Maisie Enriquez, with Cuban roots, encapsulates the feeling of connection as Cuba is mentioned throughout the show, stating, “There’s a part of who I am in the show that will go with it wherever it goes — whether it’s on Broadway, regional, or high school.”

Objectively, I believe this production was one of the best CCHS Drama productions in recent years. The talent of the leads, as well as every dancer and ensemble member, was showcased in a perfect light to highlight each person. With the Broadway and touring set displaying extreme detail and precision, as well as wonderful choreography by Paul Stine, In The Heights will likely be a historical CCHS Drama production.