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Is "In the Heights" good?

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#1

Is "In the Heights" good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 11:25am

I was supposed to see it with my friend while it was Off Broadway, but we never got around to it.

So I'm excited that it's getting a transfer, but truth be told I don't really know what to expect (we were going because he's from the heights and he's latino...)

So, is the show good? What's it like? Is it funny, sad, a mixture? How are the performances? How is the score? Etc, etc....
#2

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 11:35am

I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is simple and sweet - some funny, some sad. The performances are great, but for me, the score was the star - and the composer who plays the lead. It's a great mixture of rap, hiphop, ballads, etc.
I hope your friend enjoys it, (and you too). I remember reading somewhere that the intent was to show the lighter, everyday comings and goings of regular people in the neighborhood. There is no violence, drug use or political agenda.
#3

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 11:44am

I thought it was amazing. It was my favorite show of the 5 I saw during my vacation. postergirl is right--the score is the star. It's Latino/hip hop influenced, but still distinctly showtune-y.

I liked the book, but I think the prevalent criticism is that it tries to do too much. It is a little ambitious, but I thought all the stories and characters reinforced the themes and everyone was given something to do. And while the show is not a gritty urban drama I think it does present some important themes in a very thoughtful way.

The cast is amazing. Karen Olivo and Robin de Jesus were the standouts for me, but everyone was great and the energy was high.

Updated On: 7/24/07 at 11:44 AM

#4

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 11:49am

I *loved* it, but I'm a little (concerned/curious) as to if it's going to 'play' to tourists on Broadway...most of it is very universal- family, dreams, trying to make things better for the next generation than what you had, etc.- but there were some parts/lines that were just so NYC-centric that I wondered if it would make a diff if you didn't know why "I've never been north of 96th street" is funny, etc...I just felt like off-Broadway was the perfect home for it, but I guess we shall see.
#5

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:21pm

I heard something sad/tragic happens at the end. Being in school 8 months out of the year, I'll sadly probably never get to see the show. Can someone PM me a plot summary?
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#6

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:27pm

I am surprised WANNABEAFOSTER hasn't replied on this thread yet.
I shave me Xanadu every morning!
#7

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 2:07pm

You should go see it, it's one of the few instances Latinos get stage time.
#8

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 2:46pm

You know what I reviewed this last January, which is a part of my Broadway Binge.
Actually I DID NOT LIKE IT... (my hubby LOVED IT SOO MUCH ...) I was just thinking lately that i might been too harsh then with "In The Heights" - we saw it last Jan 10,2007 during previews- I think we paid $ 25.00 thru playbill discount...

I definitely want to see it again on Broadway... and might reconsider what I have said.. here's my I DID NOT LIKE IT Review ... ( People here probably think I only do XANADU- I rarely posted before (and I never posted my pics...I re-update it now to include our pics on the show) I guess... I was afraid that I might get a lot of attacks and critism from posters here bec. English is my second language

.....pero hablo espanol tambien...lo siento ..no puedo encontrar la letra "enye" .... Disfrute !

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

my original thread of "In the Heights Review" (1/17)
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=924095#2775824

J*

Edit : My hubby & I have disagrements about the show..( he likes the show a lot & I don't) Were both passionate about the Spanish Language & Culture. We both speak Spanish (learned it thru our evening classes together at some local school in Cambridge re: Is 'In the Heights' good? ) Im soo into Spanish movies... specially Almodovar & Argentinian movies... I actually wanted to see the upcoming "CELIA CRUZ musical " -off-broadway!


I wish the best for the show ! when it transfer on Broadway

Updated On: 7/24/07 at 02:46 PM

#9

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 2:56pm

The show is incredibly overrated. It wasn't BAD, but it certainly wasn't good. The show gets by because the performers are so lively and charismatic (although, off-Broadway, the leads were also 90% miscast). The score is nice but nothing spectacular, and the book is pretty cliche.

I think that people are beginning to settle for material like this because it has been so long that a show has arrived on the boards that is both amazing AND original... But, with In The Heights, I think that critics are going to pan it and the Broadway transfer is going to be an incredible financial disaster.

"Goodness is rewarded. Hope is guaranteed. Laughter builds strong bones. Right will intercede. Things you've said I often find I need, indeed. I see the world through your eyes. What's black and white is colorized. The knowledge you most dearly prized I'm eager to employ. You said that life has infinite joys."

Updated On: 7/24/07 at 02:56 PM

#10

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 3:59pm

I wasn't impressed at all when I saw some songs performed at Broadway in (Bryant) Park 2 weeks ago. The songs were nothing special and the plot seemed like a bunch of cookie-cutter characters interacting. Something we've all seen a million times before. Quite a few people were getting up from their chairs on the lawn and leaving, when In the Heights was playing. (The same people who were very entertained throughout the Mamma Mia & Beauty and the Beast songs.)
#12

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 4:08pm

"The cast is amazing. Karen Olivo and Robin de Jesus were the standouts for me, but everyone was great and the energy was high. "

I completely agree 100%. These two performers were outstanding. Certainly, a Tony nomination is in the future for Olivo.

Oh, and I loved the show. So hot, so fresh. The dancing was fabulous (Seth, the guy who plays the graffiti artist is HOT!). The energy in the room was contagious. I hope it maintains it's feeling when moving to Broadway.

Can't wait for the CD. Someday.
Itty Bitty Geisha? Toyland? Gypsy Pasadoble? Just a few popular favorites...
#13

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 4:52pm

I completely enjoyed "In The Heights." It was so nice to hear Latino music (and not in the West Side Story sense) within a musical. I smiled the entire time. And it was so heartwarming to see Miranda perform his work. You could sense the pride he felt. And no, it wasn't perfect, but it was so enjoyabe....
#14

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 5:46pm

I saw it about a month ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It by no means was perfect; it definitely has a LOT of room for improvement during its transfer to Broadway, along with a LOT of potential. There were points where the music was not cohesive with the plot, and times where I was pretty confused as to what was going on, but those moments were brief and didn't hinder what I thought of it overall. The cast is incredibly talented, friendly, and energetic, too =). I was kind of worried about the hip-hop/rap influence going into the show, but it really did keep it's own musical theatre identity. It wasn't trashy rap or obnoxious, over the top hip-hop, but just at the core showtunes infused with different styles. It's original & fun & I can't say enough about this show, other than I'm REALLY excited to see this once it's moved to Broadway.
#16

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 6:06pm

I also LOVED this show! Even with a less-than-perfect book, it was my favorite musical I saw on my trip in March. It's on my list to return to (on Broadway!) next spring.

Anyone have the demo recording?
...this bird is singing.
#17

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 8:04pm

I saw it with Danielle (Fetzles) and pretty much agree spot on with everything she has already stated. Though I do think that there's a lot that needs to be reworked, I really enjoyed it. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to see it and hope that it is successful once it goes to Broadway. The cast is very talented and it was easy to see just how much they loved being in the show, and I wish them all the best.
#18

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 8:33pm

I looooved the show. I think the two female leads should be recast, but for the most part, it's awesome.
"People that excel in the arts understand that the journey is the reward...the result an added bonus. Every day I act or train is a blessing and a dream come true. If Broadway beckons so be it. I have a personal definition of success that is unshakable by a possibly unobtainable goal." -HamletWasBipolar
#19

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/24/07 at 8:35pm

and who's the two female lead your refering too? I was just wonderin'

Is it Karen Olivo (Vanessa )and Mandy Gonzales( Nina) ? I did not re: Is 'In the Heights' good? Olga Merediz (as Abuela Claudia)...

J*


Updated On: 7/24/07 at 08:35 PM

#20

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/25/07 at 12:16am

I LOVED this show and am eagerly awaiting the transfer.

Am I aware that it's going to have a long road to climb? Absolutely.

But I think there is so much talent and heart in this show, but onstage and in creative, there is really nowhere to go but up. And the cast is remarkable. Lin-Manuel is going to be huge, one is shaken by his talent.

I saw the show in it's final weekend, my first time since the winter, and it was the typical matinee audience - read that as you will - and it was the first time in awhile I saw a musical touch so many people. I swear there wasn't a dry eye in the house, and the applause was tremendous. It was really sweet to see so many people smiling and wiping away tears leaving the theatre.

As to cliche? Well, really, what show isn't a bit cliched? The book needs a little work, but the score, the choreography and the design elements are really all right there, ready to be properly handled onto the Broadway stage.


"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#22

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/25/07 at 7:29pm

For the people who've seen it, what would you suggest as a minimum age?

And in TV's DSLV ratings scheme, if it's not the D or V, is it the S&L? B&D? A&P?
#23

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/25/07 at 8:10pm

For the people who've seen it, what would you suggest as a minimum age?

And in TV's DSLV ratings scheme, if it's not the D or V, is it the S&L? B&D? A&P?


Off the top of my head/possible spoilers...


I would rate it somewhere btwn a PG and a PG-13. Maybe a lite PG-13? It has great messages, fun dancing, very uplifting, etc. Very positive- there was one guy who was a tagger, but everyone else we meet is in school, has a job, etc- I remember seeing a clip of someone in the show (can't remember who right now) saying something like she did the show because she got to play something other than a whore or gangbanger for once.

Language: I don't remember a lot of language like swearing, (there is *some* language, someone gets "a sh*tty piece of news," etc., but not a whole lot of f-bombs or such, at least as much as I remember), but moreso language inasfar as 'adult' situations and innuendos and such, if that makes any sense?

Sex: flirting, dating, language, innuendos, a 'morning after' scene, etc.- they're 20-somethings in NYC- but no nudity or anything.

Violence: people scream at each other, there's a fight at club, nothing majorly violent.

again, this is all from memory, hope it helped. :)


eta: something else happens that I don't know how you 'rate' it, but I would rather not post it here, so I will PM you- be forewarned before you read. :)

Updated On: 7/25/07 at 08:10 PM

#24

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/25/07 at 10:04pm

The show is certainly PG-13; however, everytime I went, there were really young kids of a number of races in the audience, and none seemed to be offended by anything.

Anakela, PM me with the moment you're referring to, I can't remember anything that might not be appropriate here, unless it's a spoiler.


"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#25

re: Is 'In the Heights' good?

Posted: 7/25/07 at 11:57pm

Thank you Anakela and Taboo. Sounds like nothing we haven't seen or heard before on the playground. I saw a review months ago where someone had brought a 10 and 12 year old and they loved it, but others suggested it was for mature audiences only.

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