Under Richard Israel's skillful and meticulous direction, the entire cast were fantastic to watch. What they managed to carry off with under 25 hours of music rehearsal and perhaps one big run-through is amazing. Huber was the best. Her Pepa pulled you right in from the top and you rooted for her to come up a winner. She's a real triple threat. Barnett, as always, was wondrous. Such a fine actress and singer, her versatility served her well.

As usual, MTG’s cast contained probably the best assembly of singing voices possible. Kim Huber excelled as Pepa, confidently handling the dramatic arc of her story, displaying spot on comic timing and a flawless singing voice. Eileen Barnett channeled her inner Patti Lupone diva as the overbearing Lucia and Nikka Graff Lanzarone brought down the house with her comic characterization of the truly manic Candela; her “Model Behavior” was inspired lunacy.

Yazbek’s music, performed beautifully by Corey Hirsch’s visible six-member band, has a distinctly Spanish flavor with its mambo rhythms and acute dynamism that robustly projects the characters’ fiery distress.