Repertory Theatre

Still recovering from watching BITA Musical Theatre's opening night of 'In The Heights'. What we would see according to the cover of the programme was an amateur production. What we witnessed on stage was a production of a highly professional standard performed by a group of young people who are learning their craft and don't get paid for what they do currently... but most definitely will do in the future. The talent, drive, commitment and energy they sweated through every joyous minute of the show was awe-inspiring. An amazing band of musicians steered through their latino grooves by the human duracell battery tour de force that is Chris Passey proved to be the perfect foundation on which the cast's (both individual and ensemble) powerful and emotive vocal layers were laid. A couple of very minor reminders of the joy that is live theatre and that there are no second takes did not phase the cast or impact the performance in any way. What did come across was that every single person on stage was a vital and individual character cog in a very slick and stunning theatrical machine powered by a creative and innovative production team. When Chris first told me just over a year ago of his intention for BITA to put on 'In The Heights' I said that I thought that it was a very ambitious challenge but that having seen '13', one which the group was more than capable of rising to. Tonight proved that they not only rose to it but with the help and tireless work from their production team, mentors and patrons, they soared above it to new heights.