(kind of cool to say were literally back where we started)
What could be better than landing the lead in a national touring show? How about making your debut in the town where your family lives?
Yes, actor Joseph Morales' dream is coming true in a big way.
Until a year ago, Morales' resume contained only a few major professional credits. He appeared off-Broadway in "Henry and Mudge," and toured in "Bombay Dreams" and "Rock of Ages."
He started out in the ensemble of the national tour for "In the Heights," and one night he went on in the role of Sonny. The director saw him and bumped him up to the part in the L.A. company. The actor playing Sonny traditionally understudies the lead character, Usnavi, too.
In the L.A. production, Lin-Manuel Miranda is playing Usnavi, the part he created on Broadway. Miranda is also the show's Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist. That meant that Morales was now Miranda's understudy.
"This has been huge for me," said Morales. " It's pretty unbelievable, because it's rare for a company to bump an understudy up. But I decided I was going to fight for it."
"In the Heights" is a tapestry of a musical that interweaves a variety of musical styles (hip-hop, salsa, rap, soul and merengue) as a large cast of characters lives out three days in the racially diverse Washington Heights community of New York City. The show was nominated for 13 Tonys and won for Best Musical.
Usnavi, who owns a neighborhood bodega (convenience store) dreams of leaving the Heights for his parents' native Dominican Republic, and he pines for flirty, uptown-bound beautician Vanessa. Meanwhile, his Puerto Rican neighbors Kevin and Camila may be forced to sell their taxi business to pay the tuition for their brainy daughter Nina's education at Stanford. Vandals destroy Usnavi's store and Nina's future seems all but lost, but Usnavi's grandmother is hiding a valuable secret ---- a lottery ticket that could solve all of their problems.
The heart and soul of the story is Usnavi, the role Morales will now play on the national tour.
"This is one of those roles that comes around once in a lifetime," said Morales. "It's a part I can put my whole heart into."
Watching Miranda perform the role has helped Morales be ready for this opportunity.
"Lin has been an open book for me." he said. "We do the show together every night. He wrote the role, and as I watch him, I can see his intentions. He's also been helping me with the raps by making me freestyle with him, which I've failed miserably. It's just something he's brilliant at."
Morales isn't the only "In the Heights" cast member with a local connection. Ensemble member Morgan Matayoshi was born and raised in Vista.
Matayoshi started performing at Vista's Moonlight Amphitheatre at age 8 and studied ballet at Janice Lee's ballet school in Encinitas. After graduating as valedictorian from Guajome Park Academy in Vista, she went on to graduate from Boston University and has been working as a dancer, actress and singer in Los Angeles ever since. She's booked with the "In the Heights" tour through October and is looking forward to visiting with her family, which now lives in Fallbrook, when she's in town next week.
While the story is about a Dominican-American neighborhood, Morales thinks it speaks to everyone.
"This story is so universal," he said. "It's really the American story, because we're all immigrants. The story is really hundreds of stories about going back to our roots and how everyone's story affects one another."
Morales will begin playing Usnavi in San Diego. Even though he spent much of his childhood in Hawaii and now makes New York City his home, much of his family now lives in San Diego. They will all be there when he steps into the leading role, and that fits the show's theme as well.
"This show is about family and who you are and where you came from," he said. "It's about being proud of who you are and being proud of the legacy you leave behind."
"In the Heights"
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. July 29; 8 p.m. July 30; 2 and 8 p.m. July 31; 1 and 6 p.m. Aug. 1
Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 3rd and B Street, San Diego
Tickets: $18-$79
Info: 619-570-1100
Web: www.BroadwaySD.com
Posted in Theatre on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 10:00 am | Tags: Entertainment Preview, Nct, Theater,
Finale Costume
Carla's opening!!!!!
