"In The Heights" - 2/17- 7PM- (Possible Spoilers) **

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/17/08 at 11:07pm

Just got back from the show, and absolutely loved it !!! I do agree with others that the book/script is far from perfect, and the end is a bit abrupt, but everything else makes up for those shortcomings !!!

(Although I really didnt have a problem with the way that Nina's parents felt about her relationship with Benny- didnt really think it had much to do with his background. They just didnt think he was good enough for their daughter. It happens in real life all the time !!)

SO good to see such a diverse crowd at a Broadway show !!! Every background, every age !!!

Show was totally sold out !!! Was told that both shows today, as well as the Thurs and Friday shows, were all sold out shows.

(Not sure about the shows on Saturday)

First of all, the set -- breathtaking !! Had a rear mezz seat, and it was a perfect view !!!

The performances we so good !!! Mandy Gonzalez and Karen Olivo were excellent, and loved Lin-Manual Miranda as Usnavi, and Robin De Jesus (a real scene-stealer!!) as Sonny.

But the show belongs to Olga Merediz as Abuela Claudia. Her
"Paciencia y Fe" just about tore the roof off the theatre !

Thought for a minute that a standing ovation was coming.
Was worth the $21.50 that I spent on my ticket right there !!!

The choreography is nothing short of brilliant. So fresh, so alive ! The theatre was like a giant party ! I hand them the Tony for choreography, lighting, and POSSIBLY score right now.

The show is a going to be a hit, without a doubt !! If they could only tweak the end a bit (again, I could deal with the imperfect script), it could really be incredible !

Btw, best merchandise that I have seen since "Grey Gardens" !

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 2/17/08 at 11:10pm

I am so excited to see this.

So the view from the $20 seats isn't that bad?

[Robos89]

Posted: 2/17/08 at 11:12pm

What do they have for merchandise?

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/17/08 at 11:14pm

Honestly, the way the set is constructed, the view was perfect !!! They had at least 5-6 different shirts, 2 hats, buttons, pins, etc... just a great variety !

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 12:06am

i have pix of the merchandise. i will post when i can find my camera usb cable.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 12:17am

Thank you, Testing. I absolutely love the set!

There are some great pictures of the set in this slide show on the left of the page.


New York Times IN THE HEIGHTS Set Design Slideshow

[LI Larry]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 12:36am

I was there tonight as well and I agree. The show was great. And it deserved the standing ovation it got. I spent $54 and got great seats. Row Q Seat 1. I used to sit there when I saw Seussical. The seats are stadiumed up there and best of all, no one was in front of me. The performances were great. Definitely a cast that worked well together.

[JaredBway]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 1:16am

I saw it tonight as well. Was one of the last people to win the lottery tonight, and I guess I saw a different show than you guys did, because I thought it was a mess. The cast is great, and I do agree that Olga was brilliant. As was the HIGHLY underused Andrea Burns. (whom I am now dying to see in something else) I think the material is very weak and the show really doesn't go anywhere. I thought the opening was all over the place. The merchandise was great and I wish I had liked the show more because I wouild have bought some. I think I need to sleep and really process what I saw, but I do know its far from the worst thing I've ever seen, but I have no desire to see it again unless a lot of changes are made which seem doubtful

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 1:37am

Glad you had a great time! Looking so forward to seeing this show!

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 2:56am

That slideshow was breathtaking. I am *so* excited to see this on March 29th! Can't wait! Quick question about the Rodgers: Center Orchestra has 13 seats per row? I only 'cause I don't want to be stepping on too many folks on my way to my seat. Haha! Also, as an aside, GREAT REVIEW, Testing!

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 3:31am

I saw the matinee and the view from the $20 seats was perfect (in the midst of a sea of students from the UK on a trip....who were thankfully well behaved). I went in to this show having put off seeing it when it was off-Broadway. I adore Latino cultures having been a spanish major in college, but I wasn't so sure this theatre nerd could sit through a show influenced by hip hop no matter how much I realized how realistic it was for the setting. However, I decided to give it a shot. I enjoyed the score and with a few exceptions, enjoyed the fresh take.

The performances were first rate with Andrea Burns being a standout. I wish she was given more to do. I also was impressed with Mandy Gonzalez's voice but thought none of the characters (including her's) was fleshed out enough. The book was not very strong. I am usually not a fan of plot thin shows, but in this case, I was so entranced by the music and dancing, it did not bother me as much as it usually does.

In any case, although this is not my usual fare (I prefer darker shows) it was enjoyable and I wish it a successful run. How nice to have several completely original musicals running on/off Broadway right now.

[Actorman112]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 4:42am

I was there tonight as well and I'm in awe of this show. It was absolutely incredible.

I Say....

Best Scenic Design - Anna Louizos
Best Actor in A Musical - Lin-Manuel Miranda
Best Featured Actress in A Musical - Olga Merediz
Best Featured Actor in A Musical - Chris Jackson
Best Score - Lin-Manuel Miranda
Best Choreography - Andy BlankenBuehler

oh and btw Hip Hop Musical Theatre is extremely groundbreaking!

[folkyboy]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:56am

this is SO my new favorite show right now! :) i was there yesterday evening and i can't get it outta my head

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 7:01am

Folkboy.. was it a blast, or what !!!????

It felt like the block parties we used to have in Bensonhurst when I was younger !

Such a great time !

[folkyboy]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 7:04am

definitely! the whole Carnival moment was AWESOME! and i was crying during Nina's first song. it's SUCH a special special show.

i wanna bring my mom to it! it's one of those shows everyone in their family could love

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 7:13am

Could not agree more-- I am thinking of buying 10 tics and taking co-workers on a Friday night !

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 8:37pm

this musical is just, beyond belief!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 8:48pm

I'm glad the view fromt he $20 seats is good, that's where I'm sitting. I can NOT wait until next weekend.

[MungoGypsy8232]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:14pm

Is Olga's performance enough to give Benanti (whom many on this thread believe to be the main contender for Featured Actress) a run for her money come awards season?

[LI Larry]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:21pm

I agree with you about Andrea Burns. Olga was good but it's hard not to be good in that part. But Andrea's was a small part and you kept wishing they'd give her more to do. That's the sign of a breakout star in my opinion.

[Just_John]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:58pm

Actorman112, how did you leave out BEST MUSICAL?? I'm not sure what it will be nominated for, but I'm sure it will win Best Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Score as well as possibly Best Scenie Design and one of the Actor or Actresses awards. I'd be very upset if anyone took it away from Benanti.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 12:21am

I think it will win Best Musical, along with the other awards mentioned above.

I'm thinking:

Best Score
Best Choreography
Best Leading Actor? (Lin-Manuel Miranda)
Best Scenic Design (maybe) and Best Lighting Design? (Could go to Sunday, Young Frank, or Passing Strange)

ETA: And Best Musical.

I think Best Book may go to A Catered Affair, although Best Book and Score are usually paired.

Updated On: 2/19/08 at 12:21 AM

[Actorman112]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 2:48am

Oh im sorry I forgot to say Best Musical

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 9:41pm

i am hoping In the Heights gets many awards. the two awards that i think it will definately win are Best Cheorgraphy and Best Score!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 9:48pm

I definitely don't see it winning the literature awards (book, score) or any acting awards. But it has choreography in the bag, no question. As innovative as the score is, there are too many ho-hum numbers. And by ho-hum, I mean the ballads. The group songs - Carnival del Barrio, In the Heights, 96,000, The Club, among them - are fantastic and bring a much needed change to traditional Broadway fare. But the slower songs are just too Broadway for such an untraditional score.

The problem is that the book is too muddled and amateur. The actors have to overcome too many flaws - all of which stem from the book.

I would have rathered they just do a concert of the score and choreography, since the book brought everything down.

Benanti will win best featured actress, though Merediz has a nomination in the bag (she doesn't bring down the house, she tears it down.) It's feisable that Miranda will be nominated for best actor, but this year seems to be Tom Wopat's year.

(Personally, I'd vote for Passing Strange and Stew's utter disregard for the traditional musical.)