There’s a
little variety, but for the most part, this is the heartbreaking portion of the
second act. Doesn’t get as bad as Hamilton’s, but there’s some serious
sadness going on here – “Everything I Know” has been known to rip my heart out
on multiple occasions (spoilers.)
“Carnaval
del Barrio”
– Daniela leads the neighborhood in a boisterous carnaval number – partly a neighborhood celebration, partly a last
hurrah for the soon-to-be-changing block, and partly an outlet for a lot of
plot reveals to come out. I especially
love Piragua Guy’s part in Spanish and the exchanges between Usnavi and Sonny.
Best
lyric: “Maybe you’re right, Sonny. /
Call in the coroners! / Maybe we’re powerless / A corner full of foreigners.”
“Atencíon” –This number is short
but affecting; it shows Kevin having his drivers get the word out on Abuela
Claudia’s passing. There’s something in
there that shows the strength of their community, that the limo drivers will
pass slowly through the neighborhood, making sure everyone knows what’s
happened.
Best
lyric: “Atención. Atención. / Roll
down your windows. / Turn up your radios. / Un
momento, por favor.”
“Alabanza” – A quiet requiem for
Abuela Claudia. Usnavi begins with a
rambling, grief-stricken eulogy, and then Nina comes in with the simple,
mournful refrain of, “Alabanza, Doña
Claudia, Señor.” Spare, but beautifully effective.
Best
lyric: “Alabanza means to raise this thing to God’s face / And to sing,
quite literally, ‘Praise to this.’”
“Everything I Know” – After Abuela Claudia’s
passing, Nina reflects on the past, her own and that of the entire block, on
the things and people who came before her and made her who she is. This beautifully contemplative solo is a thanks
to those who formed her and a promise to be worth it.
Best
line: “On the day they ran, / Did she
dream of endless summer? / Did her mother have a plan? / Or did they just go? /
Did somebody sit her down and say, / ‘Claudia, get ready / To leave behind
everything you know.’”
“Piragua (Reprise)” – And here it is, a
reprieve from the sadness and loss.
Piragua Guy’s triumph against a bigger and shinier business – in this
joyful reprise, he revels in his victory and repeats his motto to just “keep
scraping by” until hard work is rewarded.
Best
line: “It’s hotter than the islands are
today, / And Mister Softee’s truck has broken down. / And here come all his
customers my way - / I told you, I run this town!”
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