MY REVIEWS: In the Heights, Xanadu, Wicked, Spring Awakening

[bryanw3535]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 12:19am

Just got back from three nights in New York. I got engaged to my girlfriend AND saw four Broadway shows. Who could ask for anything more?

Here are my thoughts; don't worry there aren't any spoilers:

"IN THE HEIGHTS"

We saw it in previews, of course, and from our spot in the left orchestra three rows from the stage it was amazing. It made my girlfriend cry during songs like "Inutil" and others, and the book and lyrics both made us laugh out loud till our sides hurt.

The acting was amazing. Sonny was a personal favorite of mine, and Usnavi has a voice and style that is so unique in musicals.

I can't wait until May for when the cast recording comes out! They're taking preorders at Richard Rodgers, so make sure you get yours!

We saw it on March 4, and at the stage door Lin-Manuel Miranda (Usnavi) told everyone that we had just seen the final version of what was going to be on stage. The crowd at the stage door was pretty thick, but everyone came out and was really nice.

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"XANADU"

We did TKTS at the South Street Seaport for this show the day before and got seats four rows from the stage in the center. Great deal!

I don't have to tell you that Kerry Butler and Cheyenne Jackson are amazing, I'm sure, but this show really lives up to the hype. It's noticeably short, but short and sweet is the best way to describe it. You will be begging for more! The songs are the kind that get stuck in your head so bad that you'll be singing them during the intermissions of other shows!

At the stage door we were two of only about 10 people waiting. Kerry and Cheyenne both came out and signed our Playbill. I was surprised that rather than getting into hired cars, they just walked down the street after signing Playbills - just like average New Yorkers!

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"WICKED"

I've seen it three times before, but I hadn't seen it with Stephanie J. Block and Annaleigh Ashford. Stephanie was amazing, and Annaleigh brings a lightness to the role that works well most of the time. My girlfriend complained that she wasn't strong enough during a few parts in certain songs.

The show was really fun, even when Annaleigh hit herself with her long wand. She said "I'm OK, I'm OK" and kept on going. What a pro! There's a reason this show is the top-grossing production on Broadway each week (and I don't mean just the fact that it's in a huge theater!). It's well-directed and has some amazing performances up and down the cast.

At the stage door after, Annaleigh said she was OK, but Stephanie said that with how they have the wig pinned to Annaleigh's head "that had to hurt." Almost all of the leads came out, signed Playbills and posed for photos. They were so nice!

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"SPRING AWAKENING"

I had seen this before with all of the original cast, but it hasn't lost a step since John Gallagher Jr. left. Blake Bashoff, though not quite as intense as Moritz, was very impressive in his Broadway debut role.

If you're as close as we were lucky enough to be, watch out for Jonathan Groff's flying spit. He's very forceful when he talks/sings, apparently, and some saliva will come out on almost every syllable! Emma Hunton was impressive as Ilse; her voice is a different take on the role than what Lauren Pritchard had, but I appreciated it and was moved by the performance. "Spring Awakening" won eight Tonys for a reason. It's still rocking the Eugene O'Neill theater, and you better get to see this one when you're in New York.

At the stage door, everyone came out and was so nice! Skylar Astin seemed a little grumpy, but all the other cast members were willing to pose for photos and sign whatever we threw at them.

What a fun trip! Any questions for me about how any of those shows are holding up since you've seen them?

Hope you enjoyed reading this!
Updated On: 3/9/08 at 12:19 AM

[aliciag]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 12:27am

I'm glad you had a great trip. I can't wait to see In the Heights! Fingers crossed that I'll get the chance during my Spring Break in two weeks!!!

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 12:30am

Sounds like a dream holiday. And congrats on the engagement!

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 12:33am

Cast recording, love, there's no soundtrack to In The Heights.

[HBBrock]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 12:57am

CONGRATS ON THE ENGAGEMENT. We went to NY on our honeymoon and saw 4 shows in January :)
Great reviews! Updated On: 3/9/08 at 12:57 AM

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 3:15am

Congratulations on your engagement! Glad you had a great trip!

[bryanw3535]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 3:39am

Thanks everyone for the congratulations!

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 4:05am

Congrats!

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 12:28pm

I wanna see In The Heights so bad! thanks so much for the reviews.

[bryanw3535]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 5:56pm

You'll love "In the Heights"! I have a feeling it will be there for a few years, but see it as soon as you can!

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 6:00pm

Aww congrats!! Glad you liked IN THE HEIGHTS! Thanks for the reviews!