By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | For 20 years, Ann-Carol Pence has directed the musical element of the Aurora Theatre, with sterling enthusiasm and artistic achievement. Her direction has added immensely to its many productions. However, usually positioned off-stage, she and her ensemble are out of the spotlight.
Now the Aurora is beginning its 21st season with the presentation of Lin Manuel Miranda’s Grammy and Tony Award-winning In the Heights, playing now through August 28. It’s another masterful production, full of energy and vibrancy.
Yet in the current Aurora musical production of In The Heights, for me it is the music which is the star of the show. It is the central beat of the day, reverberating beautifully among the hip-hop and Latin beats of a bygone Washington Heights in New York. In effect, the actors keep up with the music, as the brassy syncopation and rhythms steal the show. In effect, the actors interpret the music, but it is the music which is the lead.
Pence
For most everyone in the theatre, it’s never ending toe-tapping time. The audience obviously becomes part of the stage.
Ann-Carol is on keyboard and directing the music. Other members of the band include Mark Biering or Che Marshall on drums; Frankie Quinones or Sam Owens on percussion; Andrew Cleveland, bass; Melvin Jordan, guitar; Paul Garrett, trumpet; Derrick Jackson, trombone; Jason Passmore, reeds; and Warren Lankford, keyboard 2.
All this is not to take away from the actors and dancers on stage. They perform admirably and keep the story line moving beautifully. They never missed a beat.
Rodriguez
The musical is particularly heartwarming for Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez, who has a key role in the musical. His family left Cuba in 1960 when the Castros took over. Tony was born in and remembers growing up in Queens, New York, very similar to the setting of this production. The family eventually landed in Atlanta, and he now calls Gwinnett home.
Tony and Ann-Carol Pence’s sterling years in Gwinnett with the Aurora Theatre have added immensely to the cultural and artistic environment of the Gwinnett community. Tackling such monumental productions as this one, Mary Poppins, Memphis and Les Miserables and many more, have brought the company deserved high praise. Gwinnett can count itself lucky that Anthony Rodriguez and Ann-Carol Pence decided to use Gwinnett as their base. They have charmed the community and greater Atlanta with their talent. The Gwinnett community is the better for their presence here.
This production of In The Heights will continue through August 28 at Lawrenceville’s Aurora stage. If you want to catch it again, or for the first time, it’ll also be running September 8-18 at the Rialto Center for the Arts on downtown Atlanta, since it is a co-production with Theatrical Outlet.
Get tickets for this production of In The Heights. You’ll regret if you do not.
SOME OF YOU KNOW that we have recently returned from St. Johns, Newfoundland. Imagine to our surprise on returning when we learned that there is a Netflix series that is filmed in St. Johns. It’s called The Republic of Doyle, and is a detective series, one less subtle than some, which has several years of episodes. The great aspect of the series is the distinctive and beautiful scenery of St. Johns, the colorful houses, the harbor views, and the overall distinctiveness and beauty of this most-eastern of North American cities. What a treat to return home and be able to enjoy the scenes of the city once more!
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