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

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 1/27/10 at 11:49pm

Arielle Jacobs.

Now when I saw the rehearsal video, I heard her voice, and went in expecting much less than Mandy Gonzalez, but I did not know how much less this would be. Now I know it's bad to compare replacements to the originals, but when someone really misses the mark, it's a must.

'Breathe' is one of my favorite songs in the score, mostly for the belted bridge, which was way out of Miss Jacobs's range (in fact most songs involving belting were out of her range, with the exception of 'Everything I Know').

She looks the part for sure, and good for the directors for casting someone who is around the age of the character, but her performance was very flat, with the exception of 'Everything I Know'

She does have a very pretty head voice, I'll give her that, but she is not well suited for the part of Nina. I'm sure there are people who will disagree with me, but she should stick to playing Gabriella in High School Musical stage shows, something she actually was good in.

That's all.

[Act4ever]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 12:17am

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.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 12:42am

I agree with you there as well. I didn't really care for Usnavi until act two.

The best parts of this tour are Benny, Sonny Vanessa and Daniela (can't seem to find my program)

[jessica0414]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 9:56am

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.

[jennamajig]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 10:33am

I just saw the tour in Boston last week and I, too, was slightly let down by Arielle Jacobs. She cracked slightly while belting during "Breathe" and I winced. I appreciated her being the appropriate age and some of her acting choices (I fond her Nina more naive then Mandy Gonzalez's portrayal) and "Everything I Know" was very nicely done.

I don't have the program in front of me, so actor names are escaping me. Daniela was fantastic, and I really enjoyed Vanessa and Benny as well. Usnavi, I took time to adjust to and like a couple of you, it to until Act 2 before then. I never saw Lin-Manuel, but I did see Javier Muñoz, who I thought was perfect in the role.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 10:47am

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

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 11:13am

Arielle was on fire the night I saw the show and was the strongest of the cast (quickly followed by Isabel as Daniela and Shaun as Sonny), in my opinion. I thought she was simply amazing. Her acting and voice were flawless the entire show. I never saw the original cast, but I walked away feeling Arielle's performance was star-worthy and the most memorable of the evening.

[andsym9001]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 11:17am

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.

[catalana2]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 11:59am

Arielle stole the show away when I saw her in Chicago. Her voice was perfect and critics seem to think she played the roll better than Mandy. Recently she is/was on a voice break, so that may be the reason why her voice was not up to par. The guy who plays Sonny, I believe, also understudied the roll on Broadway, so it would make sense that he would be pretty good. I was also upset with Usnavi, but I think it might have been that we're so used to Lin. Other than that, I thought the cast was very good and Arielle is on her way to be a rising actress. She has a lot of talent. Props to her for making it into this tour.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 12:05pm

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.

[catalana2]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 12:41pm

Yes, I also really agree with that. I love that she looks like she is going to college and carries this innocence with her. After all, she did play a lead in High School Musical

[seriously]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 1:49pm

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.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 9:26pm

Well then I have a lot of respect for her.

Just disappointed that I could not hear her fully healthy.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 10:10pm

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.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 10:24pm

Not surprised, considering the few solo lines that Carla has were breathy and lacked any sense of vocal power.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 10:36pm

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!!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 10:42pm

Not surprised, considering the few solo lines that Carla has were breathy and lacked any sense of vocal power.

I actually thought her voice was good, but she was just painful to watch.

[Bdwy24]

Posted: 1/29/10 at 11:52am

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.

[jigblob]

Posted: 1/29/10 at 12:05pm

Does anyone know why Yvette is no longer on the tour? It's only been like 3-4 months, that's very strange that someone would already be leaving...

[Marlothom]

Posted: 1/29/10 at 1:53pm

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.

[singalongsong2]

Posted: 1/29/10 at 11:19pm

Does anyone know why Yvette is no longer on the tour? It's only been like 3-4 months, that's very strange that someone would already be leaving...

I was wondering about this too. Maybe she is filming her tv show. She plays Kiki on the Fresh Beat Band, so that's a possibility.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/31/10 at 1:21am

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?

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

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 1/31/10 at 1:24am

"Actually I hated the show on Broadway"

Ditto, Im not giving this crap a 2nd chance though.

[Bdwy24]

Posted: 1/31/10 at 9:54am

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

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/31/10 at 1:21pm

Well Seth is like a god to me ever since seeing him on the Madonna tour, so I just wanna touch him and be like "you worked with Madonna." Of course he worked with the divine Priscilla Lopez too, whom I adore.

I always give shows that aren't my cup of tea a second chance because so many things go into liking a show, so its important to re-test yourself. I found myself more engaged this time and would definitely see the show again. Was glad to see a packed house last night.