Review of 'In The Heights' at the Teatro Variedades

The Portuguese premiere of In the Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes played to well-earned full houses at Lisbon’s Teatro Variedades, March 25th through May 3rd, 2026. Music Theater Lisbon’s courageous vision, spearheaded by Executive Producer Martim Galamba and Stage Director Sissi Martins (both are company founders), should advance the needle of expectation for what is possible in this world-class city of great art, where musical theater may have just glimpsed its potential for international stature. In the words of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who expressed to the company his love for Portugal and the new Portuguese In the Heights translation: “I believe we all yearn for music that reflects the world we live in, and that’s true in Lisbon, in Washington Heights, and all over the world.”

Every member of MTL’s quintessential ensemble cast contributed in an integral way. Each ensemble member presented a multi-dimensional character that helped to propel the drama at various points. All principals fully embraced their challenges, several in extraordinary ways. 

Gonçalo Rosales set a high bar as the first Portuguese-Dominican-American Usnavi, the wistful bodega owner with an inherent yearning for his Dominican homeland. Rosales excelled as a rapper, dancer, and singer, and his acting revealed sophisticated depth, as his character shifted subtly to reflect the variety of close relationships he shared with so many other characters. Rosales was an instant audience favorite, and we cheered for him, silently and overtly, throughout.

Margarida Silva played an electric Vanessa. She was strong, honest, vulnerable, and a sensational dancer, alternately commanding the full attention of the theatre and surrendering her role to dramatic moment. Silva can play, dance, and sing Vanessa on any stage.

The character creations of Miranda and Hudes capture a full cross-section of Upper Manhattan color and the Portuguese cast embodied all of it and then some.  Ludy Guimarães, as Nina, realistically conveyed both sides of her Heights-Latino and stressed Stanford college girl conflict. Luisa Cruz, a well-known Portuguese actress, personified Abuela Claudia, the beloved matriarch of the neighborhood. Pedro Nuno simultaneously assimilated and reached for more as Benny, the only non-Latino in the neighborhood. Marta Mota gave healthy servings of tough love to the younger characters like the oldest sister in a big family, and Tiago Retrê, as the Piragua Guy and perhaps the cast’s best singer, stole big laughs with perfect comedic timing.

Notably, Galamba invited former American Ambassador to Portugal for the Biden administration, Randi Charno Levine, to the stage after final bows on April 19th to recognize her for major support of Music Theater Lisbon. As ambassador, Levine, a well-known arts advocate (board member - Roundabout Theatre Company, Anna Wintour Costume Center, National Portrait Gallery, New Museum), emphasized cultural diplomacy as one means to strengthen U.S.-Portugal relations. Levine continues to maintain a presence in Portugal and remains active as an advocate for music theater and the arts.

It felt appropriate to return for a second look at this powerful production on the 25th of April (25 de Abril), Portugal's most important national holiday. The observance, also known as Dia da Liberdade honors the 1974 Carnation Revolution, a peaceful military coup that overthrew a 48-year-old dictatorship, restoring democracy to the people. Teatro Variedades stands only a few meters from Avenida de Liberdade, where the country’s largest liberty parade overlapped the playing time of that day’s Heights matinee. As the robust chorus of Carnaval del Barrio soared through the theater, a palpable connection materialized between the historic “Carnaval del Barrio Libertad” celebrations of Argentina, Uruguay, and Washington Heights and Portugal’s “Dia de Liberdade,” celebrated just outside the theater’s doors. Portuguese pride was enhanced, curtain to curtain, by the quality and energy presented by this cast and crew.

The full spectrum of theatrical elements was on display and worthy of praise for MTL’s In the Heights. The cast communicated directly to the audience in a Portuguese translation by João Sá Coelho, augmented by committed singing (Carlos Meireles, coach), spectacular dance (Marco Mercier, choreographer), stunning lighting (Francisco Alves, designer), brilliant instrumental accompaniment (Tom Neiva, music director), clear and balanced sound (Daniel Fernandes, designer), and sets and costumes that transported everyone straight to 181^st Street and Broadway, NYC (Pedro Morim, designer). Founded by Martim Galamba, Sissi Martins and Rúben Madureira, Music Theater Portugal is an organization dedicated to the development of Musical Theatre in Portugal, having created a bridge between Broadway and the country. Parabens (Congratulations) to Galamba and Martins, et al. for ushering musical theater forward in Portugal.