To Natalie Venetia Belcon, Bringing The Music of IN THE HEIGHTS to a New Generation is ‘a privilege and an honor’

Still fresh off her Tony-award winning run in Buena Vista Social Club, Natalie Venetia Belcon is ready to once again bring a musical genre to a new generation. She is gearing up to take on the iconic role of Abuela Claudia in New York City Center’s gala performance of In the Heights, a role that sits close to her heart. 

Theatrely talked to Belcon about her experience watching In the Heights for the first time, growing up near Washington Heights, and her love of ensemble pieces. 

‍This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

‍Tell me a little bit about your relationship to the piece. Is this a show that you've wanted to do before? 

I never actually thought about doing the show, because, you know, when it came around, it was the thing that it was. I mean, everybody always said, of course, “I would really love to hear you do ‘Paciencia y Fe,’” but I really never thought about it. People are only now, because of Buena Vista [Social Club], even realizing that my father's Latino, so I think people are just waking up to it. I didn't think it was going to ever be a thing I’d be able to do. Buena Vista made a lot of people aware of some stuff that they didn't know about me or, you know, put the pieces together. I think my last name is pretty obvious, but no one ever thought about it! But I’m so excited.

‍Can you tell me a little bit about how you got involved with the project? What was the process like for you? 

I got a call, because of Buena Vista, to audition for it, and at first I was like, “what? Are you sure?” I've never gotten called in for In the Heights at all. I just figured it was a mistake. And also, if it's one of those things where people just want to experiment and put somebody in, even though they might not be right for it. I usually have to investigate those things. I don't like wasting people's time, and I don't like knowing that there's probably someone better for the gig, but I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that I'm doing something that I would not be able to bring 150% to. I finally saw the show, I saw bits and pieces of it, but I never actually saw the whole thing, so I watched the movie and fell in love with it and that was that. I went in, I killed it (laughs), and here we are. Sometimes you know when you really just soiled the whole diaper on an audition, and other times, you just know, like I really did that. I felt good!

‍That's awesome. You've mentioned Buena Vista a couple times. I want to ask you a little bit about that: how did that experience shape you as a performer? 

My favorite thing always to do has always been ensemble pieces. If you look at my resume, the theatre stuff I've done, it's all been ensemble pieces. I just love it. On my dream list, I just want to wind up in a cast of Clue or something like that you know where it's like you know what i mean where every time somebody comes on the stage it's like “oh my god this is my favorite character” and then somebody else comes on it's like “oh no no no wait this is like my favorite character.” I love that sort of everybody is the same level of insane — all in the right way — and gifted and just giving it their thing, and allowing everybody else to shine and show their thing. It's my absolute favorite thing to do. Buena Vista has given me another opportunity to do so. The role is a lot more solitary, actually, even backstage, the only time I really deal with anyone is when I'm on the stage. I don't mind that, just because of the emotional journey she's going through, I need the silence. It’s a very different kind of ensemble piece for me.

 Definitely. You mentioned earlier, you hadn't gotten the chance to see In the Heights previously, and you watched the movie. What was the emotion when you saw it for the first time, and what drew you to the piece? 

Washington Heights is my old stomping ground. I grew up in the Bronx and I used to walk over the 181st Street bridge all the time, you know, and hang out at that McDonald's over there at that movie theater. You know, one of my first dates was at that movie theater that was across the street from that McDonald’s on 181 Street. I went to Riverdale for junior high, and that's one of the routes that I would take. I had a couple close friends who lived in that area, so I would come back home that way. I was over there all the time, so I can totally relate. And of course, that song. 

‍Does it feel real to you when you hear the music?

Well, yes, but I think they're missing a couple of scenes with the music blasting at 3 in the morning. Maybe that’s for the director's cut. But yeah, I think they got it. 

‍Tell me a little bit more about the part, the song. What are you most excited about bringing Claudia to life? 

Well, the lyrics in general, right? I can relate. I am also an immigrant. I came up when I was five to the Bronx, 179th, between Burnside and Tremont. I can really do everything that the song says, every single lyric. My mother went to Juilliard for Classical piano, but her first job wasn't teaching piano. I don't even remember what she said, but it was something other than what she wanted to be doing for like a year or two until she was able to start teaching. She was singing in a band and doing all sorts of things, but I do really specifically remember family members of mine doing one thing in our country and then coming up here, and having to do whatever they have to do to make money and put a roof over their heads and eat. So that makes it extremely personal. 

‍What excites you about getting to bring n The Heights to a new audience, a younger audience, and what do you hope audiences might take away from it?

I'm excited that there's a different director and I am excited to see what his spin is going to be. That's very exciting to me. Also, Buena Vista brought that music to a whole new generation, and getting to do that is always a great feeling — I think to say a great feeling is just like, those aren't even the right words. It doesn't quite fit the feeling. I think it's a privilege and an honor really to do something like that, it’s special to me. I mean how could it not be? I am very excited for that yet again. I am salivating, quite frankly, to see what happens. I think it's going to be awesome.