Denim Day

Now considered a revolutionary writer, Lin Manuel Miranda, before his groundbreaking and critically acclaimed “Hamilton,” took the Broadway stage with “In the Heights.”

Though the 2005 musical won four Tonys, including for Best Musical, its story is a typical and mostly generic tale about relationships in a New York neighborhood over a three-day period. Its saving grace, the creative hip-hop poetry—and at Pierce College, a strong cast—overcome much of the Quiara Alegria Hudes’ cliched book to provide a satisfying performance.

Pierce College Theatre department presents “In the Heights” with a split cast, directed by Shaheen Vaaz. It through runs through May 5 at the Dow Arena Theatre.

The performances were memorable and the rapping portion, synonymous with Miranda’s productions, served as a highlight of the two-hour musical as a whole.

“In the Heights” takes place in a barrio of New York. Usnavi (Alex Balderas), named after his father’s miss reading of “US Navy,” is a bodega owner in his community made up of Dominican, Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage.

He fauns over Vanessa (April Lam), a hair stylist who works in the hair salon next to his shop. Usnavi deals with life in the Barrio helping out his family figure Abuela Claudia (Christine Avila), and his little cousin Sonny. When Abuela Claudia (Avila) realizes that she is in possession of a $97,000 lotto ticket life changes for everyone living in the barrio.

At the same time Nina (Amy Solano), another resident of the barrio, comes back from Stanford to tell everyone that she had gone on a leave of absence from school from being unable to balance work and grades. Her parents Kevin and Camila (Jeremy Lee and ), who own a limo company, are shocked by the news, viewing her as the one who would