In the Heights, Kings Cross Theatre ★★★★★

In the Heights, Kings Cross Theatre review: Culture Whisper says ★★★★★

Due to the incredibly popular demand of In The Heights, the fun, uplifting musical will extend its run at Kings Cross Theatre until January 2017. Having scooped four Tony Awards (Best Musical, Best Choreography, Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations), plus a Pulitzer Prize nomination, In the Heights came to London with quite the buzz. The Southwark Playhouse premiere in 2014 was a sellout success and now In the Heights is just as infectiously fun at Kings Cross Theatre

Set in Manhattan's Washington Heights, the show abounds with energy. An ensemble cast captures a Latino community on the cusp of change as the show spotlights individuals' hopes, dreams and fears. The all-singing all-dancing chorus numbers are astoundingly vibrant, and the contagious, upbeat energy will have you grinning throughout.

Sam MacKay is electric as Usnavi, who runs the barrio bodega and lusts after Vanessa (given soul and sex appeal by former Sugerbabe singer Jade Ewan). Nina, played by the superbly talented Lily Frazer, has to break the news that her first year at Stamford wasn't quite the success the whole neighbourhood predicted. Youngsters graffiti the street, ladies gossip in the hair salon, every buys their lottery tickets. And, at the heart of the community, Abuela Claudia (Eve Polycarpou) supports everyone and reminds them to have patience and faith.

As romance blossoms, money problems kick in and structure of the small community shifts, the power cuts out and the drama escalates. The humanity and heart of the different stories will give you warm and fuzzy feelings galore. The hip-swinging songs and Latin rhythms are exhilarating and the slick, quick rap rhymes buzz with laugh out loud humour.

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