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HAMILTON: Play offers new heights at Nottingham High School

Performances will be held Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The play debuted at the school Thursday.

by Amy Batista, Special Writer
HAMILTON — Get ready to put on your salsa shoes as song and dance transports you to a Washington Heights neighborhood, as the Nottingham High School will present its rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatricals “In the Heights.”
   Performances will be held Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The play debuted at the school Thursday.
   The play features director Lauren Flaherty, who is no stranger to the musical.
   ”I have been directing the play for seven years and this is my eight year as choreographer,” Ms. Flaherty.
   It follows the day to day lives of the community members of Washington Heights in a three-day period centered around the Fourth of July, Ms. Flaherty said.
   The story is a universal one centered on a community on the brink of change, where its residents have to decide whether to keep their traditions or embrace new ones , according the Rodgers and Hammerstein website.
   Tickets will be on sale at the door at $10. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by emailing [email protected].
   The story is one that is “relevant and the students can relate to it,” Ms. Flaherty said.
   ”We chose the play because it features many students,” she said, noting more than 150 students were cast. “Our student body is made up of so many incredibly talented kids.
   ”Not everyone who auditions makes it, but we try to find a place on the crews for everyone who wants to be involved,” she added.
   The music was also something that was appealing.
   ”It ranges from rap to lyrical ballads,” she said.
   Students began rehearsing for the musical in December with rehearsals taking place Monday through Thursday from after school from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
   Kelly Hall, the vocal director, has been involved with the show in several capacities for nearly 15 years.
   The main characters include Ryshawn Cooper played by Usnavi De La Vega; Isaiah Alston played Benny; Gabrielle Fernandez played Nina Rosario; Paisley Nunn played Vanessa; Samary Ortiz played Abuela Claudia; Vivianna Marrero played Daniela; Marisa Sargenti played Carla; Jason Rodriguez played Sonny; Corey Laramore played Kevin Rosario; Martinique Creech played Camila Rosario; James Jenkins played Graffiti Pete; and Josh Morales played Piragua Man.
   A special senior citizen performance was held Tuesday evening. In addition, parents were also invited for the show. It was estimated around 100 people attended.
   ”I thought it was very good,” Pat Casalino, of Hamilton, adding she liked the singing and dancing. “It was well coordinated.”
   As a musician, Resident Joe Casalino said he appreciated the live music.
   ”It was nice to see a live orchestra,” said Mr. Casalino. “It was very well played.”
   Throughout the evening, students not only sang and dance their way across the stage but they surrounded the audience and danced their way down the aisles as they performed as the audience became part of the performance.
   Viviana, 17, of Hamilton, describes the experience as “fun.”
   ”You get to interact with different kinds of people and different age groups,” she said, adding that they all “become a big family.”
   Ryshawn, 16, of Hamilton, finds the opportunity to have a leading role “amazing.”
   The highlight for him has been “meeting new people and building a relationship with them.”
   Gabrielle, 17, of Hamilton, said people can “connect” with the characters.
   ”I feel like you can connect to a lot of these characters,” she said, adding she finds herself in a “more serious” role which was opposite of one role she took on last year.
   ”I can relate to her character a lot,” she said. “I feel like she is kind of like me with school, family wise with grandma and just the friends around her.”
   Isaiah, 16, is starring in a lead role for the first time this year.
   ”It’s different,” said Isaiah. “I have more responsibilities but it’s a great experience. I wouldn’t trade it.”
   For Viviana, the highlight is the dress rehearsal time and “it becomes more real.”
   ”We all get into our costumes and stuff,” she said. “We get into our characters and everyone gets their notes right and the songs come out really good.”
   Many of the students encourage those students who are considering giving acting a try or do it or they might regret it.
   ”They should come and see it it’s a good show,” Viviana said.
   ”They are definitely not going to be in their seats bored,” Isaiah added.