Interview with Isabel Santiago

Isabel Santiago is currently in the 1st National Tour of In The Heights as the sassy salon owner Daniela. Isabel can be seen on tour with In The Heights through October 24th.

Th3heights: How did you get involved in theatre?

Isabel Santiago: In High School I did my first theatre production. Maria in West Side Story. But, I had been singing since 3rd grade, in choirs. I loved singing and theatre just made sense.

T3: What was your first professional acting job?

IS: My first professional music/theatre job was in High School. I sang a night of Andrew Lloyd Webber with the Reading Symphony Orchestra at 17 years old. I did "Think Of Me", "Unexpected Song" and "All I Ask of You".

T3: What was the audition process for In The Heights like?
IS: I had been going in for Heights Broadway for replacement of Mandy Gonzalez part Nina for about 2 years! I then got a call to go in for Daniela for the tour. Totally different part, so I said no at first. I didn't think it was right for me. Then 3 weeks before tour rehearsals started they asked me to go in again. I looked over material and I said yes. I ended up getting the job a week later and LOVING Daniela!

T3: Do you have any preshow rituals?
IS: I do! Actually, not pre-show... but right before Carnival I'm in the salon. In the salon there is a Puerto Rican flag that I touch the star of and then touch my heart. I feel nothing but pride.

T3: What is it like traveling around the country and getting to perform for so many different audiences?
IS: It's wonderful... and tiring. I would never get to experience half of the places I am if it wasn't for going on tour. Every audience is different and a blessing.

T3: What is your favorite part of touring with In The Heights?
IS: The new family I have created on tour... my new Heights brothers and sisters.

T3: What moment or song is your favorite in In The Heights and why?

IS: "Carnaval". Because it's absolute joy.

T3: What is the funniest or weirdest thing that has happened onstage during In The Heights?

IS: I was dancing in the Club scene with David Baida (Piragua Guy) and my wig was pushed back while dancing and went halfway down my head... it looked like I had a HUGE forehead! I had to wait till the end of the act to get it fixed.

T3: What was it like performing with Lin Manuel-Miranda during In The Heights' LA run?

IS: He's amazing. Beautiful, fun, kind, and just amazing. One of my favorite people in life.

T3: Is there a quote or motto you live by?

Is: Do what you LOVE and do it the BEST... and you'll never WORK a day in your life.

T3: Do you have any guilty pleasures?

IS: YES!!!!! 80's music. Heavy metal, big ballad rock songs, Love songs, the cheesier and bigger the better.

T3: Who is your favorite performer and why?

IS: Barbra Streisand, hands down. She's funny, gorgeous, talented, inspiring... perfect :)

T3:Who is your biggest inspiration and why?

IS: Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion. They are exactly the types of careers I'd love to have... but, more theatre based.

T3: Do you have any advice for aspiring performers?
IS: Find what you love to do, and do it. No matter what. If you know it's what you're meant to do, than it is. It really is THAT simple. There will be people who won't believe in you... but, it's not their job to believe in you. It's your job.

There are no guarantees... the only guarantee is that if you DON'T do it, you'll never make it. So you might as well be as positive as you can, and do it.

Become of fan of Isabel on Facebook

Check out In The Heights' website for tour info

Check out Revolucion Latina's YouTube for videos with Isabel and other tour cast members

Lights Up in Tempe, Arizona (Part 2)

So I guess this is part two of my In The Heights adventures in Arizona. If you are reading this I guess you made it through part one or my long ramble filled with dorkiness. I am going to try and write about when I saw In The Heights on June 17th(Thursday) and June 19th(Saturday), 2010. You may be asking yourself is this blog post going to be super long. My answer is I hope not!

Thursday’s Show: Once again there were a good amount of understudies and swings on. Joseph Morales was on for Usnavi, Genny Lis Padilla was Nina, Wilkie Ferguson was Benny, Morgan Matayoshi was Carla and Daniel Cruz, Kristina Fernandez and Kevin Santos were in the ensemble. As always I was amazed by the show. Morgan was an amazing Carla, she played the role slightly different than Kristina and Genny but I enjoyed her performance. Joseph Morales once again was amazing as Usnavi. Wilkie and Genny both gave breathtaking performances. If you didn’t know Daniela and Sonny are basically my two favorite characters in the show. Isabel killed it as Daniela, she is a scene stealer. Shaun Taylor-Corbett was hilarious as Sonny! Sabrina Sloan wowed me again, she was an amazing Vanessa. I was amazed by the show and found different moments to love.

Saturday’s Show: I saw the Saturday evening performance and the amount of understudies and swings that were on was less than the other two shows that I saw. Joseph Morales was on as Usnavi, Natalie Caruncho was Nina, Wilkie Ferguson was Benny and Daniel Cruz, Kristina Fernandez, Morgan Matayoshi and Kevin Santos were in the ensemble. Joseph Morales killed it again. I just think his portrayal of Usnavi is wonderful. Natalie was an incredible Nina; her “Breathe” was wonderful. Natalie’s Nina was different than Arielle’s and Genny’s but I loved it. I can say that I have seen all of the Nina’s’ on tour (Yes I am THAT theatre dork!). I loved Wilkie as Benny, he was incredible. I was blown away by “Carnaval Del Barrio” Isabel Santiago was incredible she is truly everything a Daniela should be. She nails every one-liner, has the accent down pat and just is a loveable sassy gossip. That night “Champagne” was super incredible Joseph and Sabrina killed it! It was another amazing show.

Stage door (Thursday): So Daniel Bolero(Kevin) came out and he was super nice! Joseph Morales came out and it was nice to get to chat with him again. Two of my favorites (I can’t really choose a favorite cast member that’s like Sophie’s Choice) Shaun Taylor-Corbett and Isabel Santiago came out. They were so nice it was great. David Baida came out he is an amazing Piragua Guy. Then Lin-Manuel Miranda came out. This time I wasn’t as “start struck” and I managed to get a few words out and Lin was super nice. Natalie Caruncho came out too. Just as I was about to leave I saw Tommy Kail. I had met Tommy when I saw the show in Minneapolis. I chatted with him for a minute and then went home. Also when I was leaving I heard a girl yelling “I want to meet the thug with the spray cans” I laughed because it was just funny and because Jose-Luis Lopez had walked right by them about two seconds before she made that remark.

Stage door (Saturday): Before the show the amazing merch lady got Sabrina Sloan and Jose-Luis Lopez to pose for a picture with me. Carlos Salazar, Joseph Morales and Noemi Del Rio were the first few people to come out and sign, they were super nice. After that David Baida, Shaun Taylor-Corbett and Daniel Borlero came out. Other cast members that I met Natalie Caruncho, Isabel Santiago, Wilkie Ferguson, Natalie Toro, Rayanne Gonzales, Elise Santoro and Jose-Luis Lopez. Everybody was super nice and I was glad so many cast members came out.

Overall it was a great trip! It was super fun to be able to see In The Heights three times. I enjoyed it so much and I really want to see it again. I can’t say enough good things about this tour cast and the show. The show and the cast are truly incredible. Also I am a proud member of “In The Heights Addicts Anonymous”, not so anonymous anymore! Those are my ITH adventures for now!