Talk of the word — Musical — and the all that comes to mind are costumes, lights. sound, dance, acting, and singing. Musicals in Bengaluru have only recently emerged and are being appreciated. The Bethany High School is known to put up extravagant shows that offer something for everyone. This time, they have got the chance to perform an award-winning musical by American composer — Lin-Manuel Miranda who also well known for his musicals like Hamilton, etc. With a cast and crew of over 155 kids including a live band, In The Heights will be staged today.
Keeping on par with current trends, the team of In The Heights thought this musical was apt to showcase to the youth. Saroop Oommen, the director of the musical shares, “The music style is contemporary.
This generation verbalise through hip-hop and use rap to communicate as it is powerful and passionate. Lin-Manuel Miranda is an icon when it comes to musical theatre because of this Hamilton.”
Therefore, the moment they got an option to do this, they grabbed it. Talking about pre-show preparations that they did, “We conducted auditions for students as we needed them to sing, dance, act and also rap. Over 4000 students had applied and over 155 were finally selected,” he adds sharing that they will also have a live band that will include four alumni and four teachers as well.
Talking about why they choose to do this musical, he shares, “It is a challenge and because it is an incredible fusion of hip-hop and Latin music, we thought that this was something today’s generation can connect with.” Not wanting to reveal a lot about the storyline, all that Saroop says is that story is based on a family in this fast-paced life. But, how did he get them all to co-operate and show up for practise? “It was not very hard! This set of children understand the kind of exposure that they will get through this musical.”
Ayantika Mukherjee who essays the role of Abuela Claudia, says, “This is my first musical and the amount of professionalism is so overwhelming. Claudia is an old woman who is the adoptive mother of Usnavi. One of the major challenges that I faced playing her was to act like an old woman. Walking and talking like her was a real challenge.” While Noah Ryan plays Usnavi, the main character who he says is extremely lovable and interacts with everyone. Talking about the challenges he faces, “I’m not really good with words but, on the other had Usnavi can rap which was difficult to do.”
When asked how he manages his studies and school in between practises he says, “I am in the 12th and this will probably be my last musical in school. I have tried to study atleast two hours in a day but, I am sure that once this musical is done, it is gonna be a Tsunami of things to learn.” Concluding on what one can expect from the show, Saroop says, “You will be bombarded with precise music, dance, acting, and rapping. All of this will be done on a set that that is 16 ft high with two levels.”
