Anyone seen In the Heights?

[jakethesnake]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 10:55pm

Any info on this show? It sounds interesting.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:14pm

Broadway.com actually has an interview with the composer/lyricist of IN THE HEIGHTS. He basically goes into brief detail about how the show came about - having penned the first draft his sophomore year of college, and how it has grown to become a 'dream-come-true' for him. He also discusses some characters and themes that appear throughout the production. I plan on buying a pair of tickets for sometime in February, once my performance schedule clears itself of the craziness and I'm given some off-time. I'll keep you posted!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:20pm

I really want to see this after having heard wonderful things about it. I got a chance to see the Freestyle Love Supreme guys perform over the summer, and they are all so very talented, so I'm looking forward to seeing more work from the two involved in In the Heights.

[myManCape]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:36pm

Back when they cast it, Karen Olivo said how excited she was to be part of In the Heights because its such an unique and artistic piece.

[i*heart*fame]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:40pm

Due to a friend/mentor who went to Wesleyan with the composer I have heard nonstop gushing about this show from they day I met my friend. She has played parts of the score for me and it is SUPERB! As soon as the semester is over I'm going!

[i*heart*fame]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:41pm

Plus, who can resist that cast?

[myManCape]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:58pm

I was about to post that any cast with ANDRÉA BURNS, JOHN HERRERA, MANDY GONZALEZ, PRISCILLA LOPEZ, KAREN OLIVO and MORE is worth the price of the ticket.

[Trish2]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 12:15am

One would think right? Unfortunately, the show is very uninteresting. The book is very predictable and mundane and you really don't care for any of the characters. It's the type of show where almost EVERYONE has a song right away to establish their character. There is too much going on onstage all the time and focal points are lost. Believe me, i went in hoping to really like it and be blown away by something new and different, but alas not. I found the direction to be sophmoric at best, and the choreography while fun and sassy often took focus from the principal action. Some of the songs have potential, especially the RAP ones. While there are some good voices in the show, there was no one that possessed anything noteworthy. I'm sorry- it just didnt work for me.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 12:20am

I saw the show tonight, and as much as I thought this wouldn't worked, it worked on most levels, and I totally fell in love with it. The lead, Lin-Manuel Miranda, is very good, a real natural actor on stage. And I didn't realize until the train ride home that he is also the composer/lyricist. The rest of the cast is great as well, particularly Mandy Gonzalez, who really delivers, despite having a couple of and Robin de Jesus, who was just hysterical. Karen Olivo is also very good, though she swallowed her words a bit. Christopher Jackson should get kudos too, I have no clue who he is, but he really grows on you. And the ensemble, mixed of vets and newbies is great as well.

The score is a collection of latin-inspired music styles, everything from salsa to reggaeton, to traditional ballads with a little latin touch. There was one or two unneccesary ballads, but the mid- and up-tempo numbers are really catchy and you can't help but get caught up in the music. Basically four intersecting storylines set on a block in Washington Heights, and the strength in the book is that while the plot threads can veer toward cliche, the characters really score - they just feel really authentic (at least to me, but I'm of a latin background), so you're willing to follow along in their story, pulling authentic laughs and tears along the way

The choreography actually quite impressed me. It doesn't match the little bit I saw of Mambo Kings a couple of years ago, but it's really very close and really quite good. And who knew from a guy named Blankenbuehler? Design is great across the board (same folks who did Avenue Q and High Fidelity, I believe). Some of the vocals were lost in the mix, but it's only the second preview. Also lost was some of the focus onstage, with so much going on at times in an effort to create this busy world, but I think that could be tightened in.

It's a really pleasant surprise, so with a few reservations, I do recommend it. And I think previews are extremely cheap, so try and get in now.

Updated On: 1/11/07 at 12:20 AM

[Neverandy]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 1:59am

I was papered with a friend tonight and basically echo what was said by everything. It was only the second night and the show is still rehearsing so I would expect it to change. There are some songs that could be cut and some stuff that could be moved around to make the show a little tighter. Act 1 was a little long and Act 2 is a little short so I think that the show could really benefit from some trimming and being presented in one act.
I agree that the story is pretty predictable. You kind of know halfway through the first act how things are going to get resolved. I spent the whole intermission tyring to think of any other way to solve the conflicts other than the way that I knew they would (does that make sense?)
The dancing is amazing and the set is really cool.
The cast is amazing. There are some great voices and some very good nuanced performances so it is definitely worth a look though.
If it gets its problems sorted out it could be very successful.

[BreeDaniel]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:06am

Trish, it's as if we compared notes. I agree with everything you said and while I know I saw a very early preview, it never made me care about much and they were desperately trying to tug at the heartstrings. I don't know how audiences are going to deal with such a rap heavy show. It's like ave q meets the old indie film 'I Like It Like That'. And sadly, as much as I like some of the perfomers in the cast, I can't honestly say they transcended the material. Do I feel like it was a waste of time, no, but I was just left feeling indifferent and bombarded with too much scmaltz.

[Trish2]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 11:37am

My sentiments exactly. While it wasnt a terrible night in the theatre by any means, you just left not caring a bit. But i do think the composer has talent !

[lawyerman]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 11:50am

A friend saw it and liked it alot but said they really need to be improving and fine tuning over the next couple of weeks.
Does anyone know if the goal is a Bway transfer?

So thrilled that Karen Olivo is doing new stuff- i think her talen was wasted in Brooklyn and she never got enough credit for her understudying in RENT- best Maureen I ever saw. Kudos to her and best of luck to the rest of the cast.

[FosseForever3]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 12:45pm

everythingtaboo - Andy Blankenbuehler is one of the best choreographers out there. As soon as he gets a few more big deal shows under his belt, EVERYONE in the theatre world will know his name.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 1:14pm

fosseforever....i agree about andy....he will be HUGE! love him. He did "apple tree" for those of you who don't know.

I saw the workshop and simply loved it. I will see it once it opens. I hope you all are wrong!

and yes, they are thinking of a broadway transfer.

[Trish2]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 1:25pm

Considering they have Broadway producers producing, of course they "think" of a Broadway transfer. The show in it's present carnation is not ready, nor worthy of such a transfer. If it has any success at all it would be modest and most likely stay exactly where it is. I'm not trying to put the kabob on this show by any means, i just dont think it has that much going for it. The leads are adequate at best, but there is no powerhouse performance and not one song you remember. And yes, Andy's work as a choreographer gets more interesting with each show and he's certainly done his homework on this one. But personally, i thought it was too busy and not focused.There's one particular dancer, Seth Stewart ( graffit pete), who outshined even the choreography-what a talent there ! It was hard to watch ANYONE else on the stage when he was moving. A plus for him, a minus for the show.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 1:46pm

if the producers say "yes" they will go whether or not is worthy or not. I hope they don't flop if they do go. And they have a few weeks to work out the kinks...that's what previews are for.

It sucks, because, it is new, creative and different...not a movie or juke box musical, I want new things to do better!

[Esparzafan]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 2:02pm

I agree Mercades. I saw the workshop last year as well and was so struck by the music and the feel of the show. I'm looking forward to seeing it again, too!

[Benzy92]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 3:37pm

I saw it and thought it was amazing, and in a month, will be incredible. The cast is incredible, the music and book strong, they just need some cutting and it will shape together nicely. I know for a fact they are working hard to get things fixed, so I can't wait to see it again!

[maybethistime]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 4:27pm

I'm trying to plan what shows to see for my NY spring break and I'm really interested in this one, but, with such limited time, I really want to see the most amazing shows I can. Hopefully this will deliver!

For those who see it in coming weeks, post your thoughts!

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 4:45pm

Updated On: 1/11/07 at 04:45 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 4:51pm

awful?

"santa maria...make it not be true"

sorry, dorky west side quote. I just hope it is a taste thing, because I really, really loved it when i saw it last year.

Is it because it is above peoples heads? the style and the fact that it is not the greatest hits of menudo on stage? are we becoming dumber audience members with attention spans to only the familar? I don't know. I can't judge till I see it, and I'd like to hold off (as I said) until after previews, but this board is making me want to go and check it out sooner.
Updated On: 1/11/07 at 04:51 PM

[Trish2]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 8:17pm

Id suggest ALTAR BOYZ, AVE Q, SPELLING BEE over this one in a heartbeat. Especially Altar Boyz for a fun time

[Broadwayfan120791]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 11:56pm

The reviews of this show that people are saying it is really good are nice to hear because I really want to see it sometime in February too. I know someone in the show actually and I talked to this person a few times about it and they told me that it was really coming along good, so I am excited to go see it.
And like maybethistime said, keep posting the thoughts & reviews on this show !