In the Heights Review- 11.7 matinee

[Andante]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 7:38pm

Yesterday I went up to the city with a group of my college classmates to see "In the Heights." My roommate is obsessed with the show, and I've listened to the addicting song 96,000 several times. We saw in the upper mezzanine, Row C I believe. Good view, but some of the downstage action was lost to us.

The show is in good shape, thought it's not something I'd see again. I can't quite place my finger on the reason why, though: I particularly enjoyed the blending of multiple styles of music, and the storyline was easy to understand. And now for some tiny snippets of individual performance:

Gabrielle Ruiz was on as Nina. She, along with Chris Jackson, gave phenomenal performances.

Robin de Jesus...didn't particularly care for the character. But he's the comic relief of the show, so that's alright.

Javier Munoz's Usnavi...he is talented, there's no denying that; in many ways, he's not given a lot of freedom with the character because Lin-Manuel Miranda (from what I've heard/seen) was phenomenal in the role, and it's difficult to create your own interpretation of a character when your predecessor set the bar extremely high. I just feel like he was a robot, imitating everything Miranda done previously.

Gosh darnnit...Olga Merediz should have been given the Tony. She was phenomenal; there wasn't a single person sitting down when she took her bow.

I believe what my roommate and I partially agreed on was that the show's overall energy was probably the thing that was off. The intensity of the numbers died down considerably as Act II progressed, and was most noticeable during Carnival del Barrio: it just seemed dead.

Overall, the show was entertaining, and that's what I want to be when I go to a Broadway show. The cast did the BC/EFA pitch, headed by Andrea Burns, who cracked "You want us to make more money than Billy Elliot, don't you?" So I had to donate some money haha
Updated On: 11/8/09 at 07:38 PM

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 7:50pm

I saw it on Friday for the 14th time and it was sort of an off night. I don't think the audience was digging it as much. it was the first time there was no Standing Ovation at the end of the show by the entire audience. I was front row so I didn't want to be the only one standing.

I also wasn't crazy about Gabrielle as Nina. And I didn't enjoy Courtney as Carla.

i recommend going back and giving it another chance.
Updated On: 11/8/09 at 07:50 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 7:51pm

I never understood the appeal of the show, so I understand your desire to never see it again. Olga is amazing though. I will give you that. The book was derivative and predictable IMO and I can't imagine Javier being any worse than Lin-Manuel.

[Coraline]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 8:02pm

I actually saw the exact same performance - overall, I agree that the energy just kind of died toward the end of the show. I, however, thought

Gabrielle wasn't "phenomenal." She was cute, and ACTED the part of Nina very well, but I think she could benefit from A LITTLE more vocal training, her voice just wasn't 100% polished.

Agreed that Olga was AMAZING as Abuela. She brought so much emotion to the role, I've seen the show twice and both times she blew me away.

I think that Marcy is bored with the part of Vanessa. She just kinda...frumps around the stage and doesn't give it her all anymore - she also does a lot of weird vocal things that just seemed out of place, that she just felt like trying because she was bored.

Will is a GREAT new Graffiti Pete - so much energy and really dug a character out of it.

I LOVED Andrea Burns, first time seeing her.

Courtney's Carla is....cute and funny - not the best, but I think she'll get better in time.

And finally, to me, Christopher's voice sounded kind of tired last night - I hope he's not getting sick, as some of his notes sounded more like a reach to me than they did last time.

Still a very good show, but I think that just a little "Show Polish" would go a VERY long way....and maybe replacing Marcy.

[madbrian]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 8:03pm

I've seen the show twice, and Olga stole it both times. If Follies is ever revived again, I think she'd make a terrific Stella. She'd knock Who's That Woman out of the park.

[Trish2]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 9:04pm

Just curious..did Seth Stewart ( Graffiti Pete) leave the show?

[steven22]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 9:37pm

I saw Marcy when she started and I thought she was terrible compared to Karen...

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 9:44pm

I've always disliked Marcy. Her voice was disappointing and her acting was bland.

[singalongsong2]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 9:52pm

Trish,
Yes, Seth Stewart left the show. Will Wingfield took over the role in August.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 9:56pm

I've always disliked Marcy too. Nothing against her personally, I'm just talking about her performance of course. I saw her once back in February and once in September. I don't blame it on her being bored with the role because that time in Feb. was after only a couple months after she joined so I really hope she wasn't bored already and that performance in September was exactly the same.

She was always the weakest link for me. Her singing and acting isn't even close to the level of Karen's. The role isn't the best written or very developed at all, but Karen at least made her likeable. Usnavi is supposed to be so in love with her afterall. She was so bland and had no stage presence at all.

I agree about Andrea Burns, she is always a highlight. She, Chris Jackson, Mandy Gonzalez, and Janet Dacal (before she left) were always the best parts about it for me. I always hope for understudies for the other characters.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 10:05pm

That's how I feel about Karen vs. Marcy too. ^^

The role is probably not the easiest to play because it is under written and kind of boring. But at least Karen had some stage presence and you could understand why Usnavi liked her. Marcy also throughout her time in the show has not changed the character at all, she has been the same 1 dimensional character for a year now.

[Andante]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 10:48pm

You guys hit the nail on the head with the one thing I forgot to post: Marcy's Vanessa. Now granted, I can't judge her against another Vanessa because it was my first time seeing the show, but both her singing and acting left a lot to be desired.

*potential spoiler alert*
Not even the anticipation of/actual kiss between Usnavi and Vanessa was believeable because Harriell seemed so awkward up there with Javier Munoz.

Also, I can't remember the name of the guy playing Piragua Guy...but he was great. Our entire section of the mezzanine was dancing in our seats whenever he came out onstage with his brief little numbers.

[alightinthedark23]

Posted: 11/9/09 at 9:28am

I also think Marcy leaves much to be desired. I saw both Karen and Marcy. While the part is vastly underwritten, Karen Olivo was able to reach the full potential of the part. Marcy is just boring and I never felt she cared. I also thought her Champagne kiss was boring and lifeless. When did Seth leave the show?

[singalongsong2]

Posted: 11/9/09 at 10:24am

^ Seth's last show was on August 23. Will took over the role on August 26.
Updated On: 11/9/09 at 10:24 AM