The 'In The Heights' Tour has one major problem...

Are you kidding?! In my opinion she was far superior to Mandy Gonzalez. Gonzalez sounds like she's just straining and borderline yelling when she sings. My issue with the tour was that I couldn't fall in love with the Usnavi. From the moment Lin-Manuel stepped out on that stage you were transfixed. Not so much on tour... In my opinion, because of the lack of charisma on his part, it really becomes Nina's show. The guy who plays Sonny is the understudy for Usnavi and I'd much rather see him go on. He seemed quite charming.

When I saw the show the understudy (who normally plays Sonny) was on as Usnavi and he gave a very enjoyable performance. I've never seen the show on Broadway, though, so I can't make any original cast comparisons beyond the OBCR.

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Is it me, or does Shaun Taylor Corbett seem to be playing Usnavi more than he plays Sonny?

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Arielle Jacobs is amazing if anything it is the Vanessa who is week her voice is not up to par at all and she didnt seem appealing to me at all.

Arielle Jacobs was stunning - I fell in love with her. She has the look and voice of a true ingenue - unlike Mandy Gonzalez, who over-belts everything and comes across about 30 years old, not 19.

Arielle Jacobs is brilliant. If you saw the show in the past 2 weeks, she has been battling a throat infection. She chose to stick it out and not call out of the show, like a true professional.

I can't actually comment since when I saw the show in Boston she was out, but Genny Padilla (her understudy/Carla) spent most of the show looking absolutely terrified and extremely tense.

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I have to disagree with the original poster. I preferred her to Mandy Gonzalez. Not that I didn't love Mandy, I thought was a wonderful Nina and I'd love to see her as Nina again. But in terms of innocence, I definitely thought Arielle Jacobs captured that aspect of Nina. Her voice was beautiful. I really thought the tour cast was INCREDIBLY strong. Kyle Beltran, to me, is the one that needs the most work. He is a great performer, but he kept imitating someone. I can't put my finger on it. Don't get me wrong, I totally admire him getting up there and performing a role that had HUGE shoes to fill. He is doing a great job and I'd love to see him further into the run as he really grows into Usnavi. I think the tour cast is stellar it is really is like seeing the EXACT Broadway show. Go see it if you have the chance!!

I completely disagree with the original poster as well. I saw the show Tuesday night and Arielle is fantastic in the role and really surprised me. I was not expecting that voice in her. She has a beautifully controlled voice and great acting chops. Congrats to her on her success. Much different then when I saw her in HSM.

Sabrina Sloan is Vanessa. Who I also think is fantastic. If Im not mistaken, she just took over the role this past weekend. So, not the same Vanessa as most people have seen to date.

This tour overall, I think, is top notch. Perfectly cast with amazing voices. And, I did see the original. Like it just as much if not better.

I agree with the poster, and made a similar comment in a previous thread. While I see I am in the minority, I found Arielle too "Disney" for this show, especially where the other players brought more of a real raw edge to their parts. Also, I could be wrong here, but I heard some American accents to her Spanish bits, which was a turn off.

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Love Arielle. Thought she was phenomenal. Thought the whole cast was brilliant, but I really loved Olga Merediz as Abuela Caludia so it was hard to see Elise Santora in the role-she seemed really spry and healthy actually.

Actually I hated the show on Broadway, and this cast was a step up for sure. I actually like the show better now. Kyle Beltran has better diction than Lin-Manuel for sure.

April Ortiz was on for Daniela tonight and she was wonderful.

Sabrina was an amazing Vanessa. I never saw Olivo (she was out when I saw the show in NY-go figure).

As far as people saying Arielle plays the part too "Disney"-give me a break. Nina is supposed to feel out of place, sheltered, and different. Her parents protected her and sent her to Stanford. Part of her story arch is her quest for identity. She is the character least like all the others.

I just dont understand why Seth Stewart isn't playing Graffiti Pete on the tour and is just an ensemble member. Does anyone know why?

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Updated On: 1/31/10 at 01:21 AM

I think Seth is just filling in for dance captain for a couple months. So surprising to see him offstage. I'm like "wait a minute?! I didn't see you onstage tonight." hehe