Just came from this evening's performance. McCollum and Seller have an "urban musical fetish," in addition to their desire to cultivate new works and groom new voices.
In short, it's a pretty good show. The music is decent, yet tends to sound repetitive by early in the second act. The opening and closing numbers of Act I are spectacular, made all the more enjoyable by original, highly-charged horeography we've not seen the likes of on a main Broadway stage in several seasons.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show's star and composer/lyricist, is undoubtedly the next John Leguizamo (except he's way, WAY cuter). Agents will be falling over themselves to book this guy for television and film. Let's hope he stays with this project for awhile, strengthens the book with writer Quiara Alegria Hudes, and transfers uptown next season. With some work, it's got Broadway potential.
I'd encourage New Yorkers to check this one out soon and start spreading the word. Visitors, put it on your list for shows you can see this year and be "in the know" when it rises next.
Congrats to all involved in the production! Did I mention the choreography is electric?
Updated On: 2/15/07 at 11:20 PM