THE SEASON FINALE : Jaystarr's 10/10 Report on IN THE HEIGHTS (with photos)- Page 2

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 12:01pm

FABULOUS REVIEW JAY!

a couple comments, The beginning part w/ the radio is actually daphne rubin-vegas voice. Just a fun fact.

the reason the lighting is differet on broadway is because they actually hired a different lighting designer. As great as the club scene was I think my favorite lighting is pacienca y fe, but really throughout the show its phenomenal (and i had the pleasure of seeing this show from the back row of the rear mezz, and you can really appreciate the lighting even more from up there.) it really deserves that tony.

Don't forget to give Luis Salgado some credit for choreography too, he was the latin dance choreographer, or something like that, and if you watch him in the club seen his dancing is FIERCE. But yes andy blackenbuhler is phenomenal and better take that tony home. "that girl wearing a red dress that "no habla ingles"... was soo good!" yeah, Nina Lafarga. She's also a great dancer.

"Sometimes Latinos & Asian Americans are often overlooked and our roles were given to non-hispanics or non-asian. FINALLY! We are NOT denied anymore to play our own ethnicities on Broadway. I truly hope that this trend would continue...and I hope that the casting for WEST SIDE STORY would be REAL Puerto Ricans too or at least REAL latinos..bec. there are lot of talented hispanics and asian actors out there." I think Lin-Manuel would be thrilled to hear this comment. That was exactly what he was trying to do, and succeeded. I too hope it inspires people that way, and my guess is that it will.

Andrea Burns is a goddess. That is all.

"-I personally thought there was a symbolic meaning to his character- the piragua represents immigrant's costumes and Mr. Softees is the american costumes that immigrants acquired..but somehow our old costumes still scrapping by.... "

I really liked this comment.

You also might want to go back and give a spoiler alert, for those reading your review to see if they'd like to see the show. Just in the section about changes from off broadway. And also in section 10.

Also, unless I missed it, you didn't comment on the set? Wasn't it just phenomenal? Not just the shops and fireescapes, but the gwb in the background!

"Tony nominated actor & composer, Lin Manuel Miranda with Puerto Ricans Youths." OMG THIS PICTURE IS ADORABLE!!!!

Anyway I am so glad that you enjoyed the show, this was really a fabulous review.

[aliciag]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 1:25pm

Once again it was so great to read your report. I only wish I could express my thoughts on a show as beautifully as you have in each and every one of your reports. Hope you continue next season and maybe I'll be able to see a show with you in the fall.

Have a great summer!

[antonijan]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 2:00pm

I hope you can update us whenever the signed playbills go on auction at ebay.

I am so addicted to ebay lately!

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 2:17pm

Um....do you really honestly think that ITH has no flaws? There is only 10 things to praise it for and not one thing that it could improve? I normally think your reports are great but come on. ITH is a good show and has a lot to recommend it but it is by no means perfect.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 2:25pm

"Um....do you really honestly think that ITH has no flaws? There is only 10 things to praise it for and not one thing that it could improve? I normally think your reports are great but come on. ITH is a good show and has a lot to recommend it but it is by no means perfect."

...and what is your idea of a perfect show, Noel&Cole...CRY-BABY??? you seem to be praising that every chance you get!

[Alison88]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 2:27pm

This review makes me happy. In fact, all of your reviews do. Absolutely brillz. ITH rules.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 2:42pm

Always look forward to your reviews. My question...how are you able to snag all of these performers, choreographers, directors, etc. for pics alone with you? That amazes me!

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 2:44pm

Jay it really amazes me you have seen all these shows. I envy that you live close enough to make those trips. Im so glad you continue to post these great reviews that can really give us a great understanding of the show especially if i cant see them myself. Heres hoping you continue this tread next season.

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 2:58pm

Um.... WithoutATrace.....As much as I like Cry-Baby did I ever say it was a perfect show? I have always said it is not perfect and has its issues. In The Heights is the same its a good show but it has its problems. Some major ones actually. It's a great show and I wish it well but that doesnt mean it is perfect. In other seasons it would not get nearly the attention and praise that it has this season.

I find it hard to believe that someone could say ITH has nothing wrong with it. IF they do...good for them I guess. I am glad it was that wonderful an expierence for that person. But it still surprises me. Updated On: 6/10/08 at 02:58 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 3:02pm

"In other seasons it would not get nearly the attention and praise that it has this season."

I *love* IN THE HEIGHTS, but I agree with this statement 100%!

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 3:05pm

wow. without a trace...i think that is the first time we have agreed on something.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 3:06pm

Thanks guys!

I did not see any problems with the show. When I saw it off-broadway. I had issues with the book and the subplots, after I saw it Sunday.It seems to me that they fixed those issues that's why I did not fault the show. I made some remarks about the book from another thread and here's my comments:

I thought the book for IN THE HEIGHTS did EXACTLY what is supposed to do:

1. presents each character and its each self (internal) conflicts:

******SPOILERS*******

-examples: Usnavi who wants to go home to Domican Republic and too shy to ask Vanessa out, Abuela who doesn't know what she wanna do with her winning lottery ticket, Nina who felt like she failed her parents & others bec. she was not able to maintain her scholarship, Vanessa who wants to get out of the barrio and live downtown and wants Usnavi but hesitant to make the first move which transition very well to the score.

*****SPOILER ENDS*******

2. Everyone in the audience easily understood how these conflicts were resolved in ACT TWO. Perfectly sewn in with the songs...

3. It serves as a comic relief, so the audience wont get bored..it went perfectly. the show seem so polished and there were no boring parts.

- The characters are SIMPLE PEOPLE with SIMPLE PROBLEMS. The book did a good job in presenting those issues.

OVER THE TOP? Have you guys seen a telenovela at Spanish Station? Its exactly how all the characters would act!

Topics such as Buying or Winning a Lottery Ticket, Hopes of leaving your present condition, Struggling to maintain your business thru changing times, Fear of failing your parents bec. you cant maintain your scholarship- these are simple problems that simple people face! It does not have to be the dialogue before... the big Rose Turn! For me! or me! and a marque of your name going down!

****

Also there are a lot of characters in the show. You cant go into much deeper character development thru dialogues than that-you have to go for like 3 hours and 30 minutes run time. Like WBaF perfectly stated.. Its a slice of life of the latino communities in Washington Heights. They did what they could do with the characters for a limited time of 2 hours and 30 minutes-same with Titanic & Ragtime and I thought it was very well polished.

J*



Updated On: 6/10/08 at 03:06 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 3:26pm

Sorry, I just have never understood the phrase, "In other seasons it would not get nearly the attention and praise that it has this season". The show is still the same show. I really think statements such as that one diminish the work itself, saying it's underdeserving of such praise. Do you mean to say that in other seasons, "Cry Baby" would have been considered a hit? I'm just saying.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 3:32pm

<< Sorry, I just have never understood the phrase, "In other seasons it would not get nearly the attention and praise that it has this season". The show is still the same show. I really think statements such as that one diminish the work itself, saying it's underdeserving of such praise. >>

Totally agree !!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 3:37pm

I agree, dottie.

and what season would that be? I dont think that most of you are AS OLD as me and dottie (sorry..lol! ) but there were seasons that we only have two musicals? we had 9 musicals this season... I dont think it a weak season at all?

Remember :
1996- Sunset Boulevard & Smokey Joe's Cafe..
1996- Fosse, Parade, Footloose, High Society and The Civil War
2000- Contact, The Wild Party

and what do you guys consider a good season? we have three great reviewed shows this season? Passing Strange, Xanadu & In The Heights, two big budget musicals Young Frankenstein and The Little Mermaid..also Cry-Baby, A Catered Affair & Glory Days..selection wise - we have a lot of shows!

J*
Updated On: 6/10/08 at 03:37 PM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 3:55pm

<< and what do you guys consider a good season? we have three great reviewed shows this season? Passing Strange, Xanadu & In The Heights, two big budget musicals Young Frankenstein and The Little Mermaid..also Cry-Baby, A Catered Affair & Glory Days..selection wise - we have a lot of shows!

>

You hit the nail on head, Jay !! I think its pretty a pretty decent year for musicals. There have been worse

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 6:11pm

As always, great review! Thanks for sharing your pictures.

Btw, Janet Decal is soo pretty!

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 6:35pm

I HEART ITH, but still. It's been a weak season for musicals, but all but 2 have sucked/tanked. But I still think it would have been big.

[thatgirl712]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 10:13pm

Great as always Jay Wonderful, wonderful job!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 10:29pm

BTW-.. here's some of my photos from the 'off-broadway run" of the show at 37 Arts Theater. I saw this last January and it was soo cold.. the reverse of my experience last weekend. (Correction: I saw it on January 17, 2007 not 2008 as prior posted~ approximately 1 yr and 6 mos ago) I also included the Playbill & the list of songs- you can see some of the songs were not on the Broadway run anymore. Thanks again for all your inputs & responses!

Until next season!

J*













Updated On: 6/10/08 at 10:29 PM

[rgaywrites]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 10:30pm

Jay, I agree that the book has vastly improved but I think its a little... inaccurate to say that these are simple people with simple problems. While there's a lot of simplicity to the show, I also think its quite complex--that tension, for example, of having one foot in this country and one foot somewhere else. And I don't know that there's anything simple about wanting a better life.

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 12:53am

just wondering, after reading this rave review, if your signature still holds true.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 7:16am

Yes.

This season, there were three musicals that I gave rave reviews , recommended to friends and truly enjoyed watching it- PASSING STRANGE, XANADU and IN THE HEIGHTS.

But IF I am a Tony Voter.. I would personally vote for PASSING STRANGE bec. I think its the BEST NEW MUSICAL this season! Its like saying IN THE HEIGHTS will win , but PASSING STRANGE (which personally.. I think ) should win!

J*
Updated On: 6/11/08 at 07:16 AM

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 12:28pm

oh see i think ith SHOULD win. but i'm worried that PS might take it home. I'd be okay with Xanadu but I'm really really hoping for ITH!

[FaFa42]

Posted: 6/13/08 at 3:25am

"Don't forget to give Luis Salgado some credit for choreography too, he was the latin dance choreographer, or something like that, and if you watch him in the club seen his dancing is FIERCE. But yes andy blackenbuhler is phenomenal and better take that tony home. "that girl wearing a red dress that "no habla ingles"... was soo good!" yeah, Nina Lafarga. She's also a great dancer. "

Yes... They are all so amazing. Andy did a great great job. That number 96G. Carambolas. That is a number for the decade. As of Luis Salgado and Nina Lafarga, I don’t care to go public like this but they are just the best. that girl in her red hot dress doing that crazy split and moving her hips like there is no tomorrow and Luis partnering her all around with his own split under Usnavi's legs, that is with out question my favorite dance moment in the show.

I am not sure how much Luis choreographed or did not choreograph but I have to say the movement is really authentic. carnaval, the club number and even paciencia y fe has a lot of traditional elements that just make me really proud and I cant not stop tapping my foot from the balcony the times I have get a chance to see the show.

fafa42