The Official "In The Heights" Love Thread....- Page 48

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 5:39pm

That's great to hear that they are up! Congrats for them.

Testing, did you hear that Billy Crystal was that the show on the 6th?

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:17pm

In the Heights would have to be significantly retooled for a film version.
As for star wattage, although I'd hate to see it happen, I could definitely see someone like Rosario Dawson playing Nina or Vanessa.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:19pm

Updated On: 6/9/08 at 06:19 PM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 7:54pm

<< Testing, did you hear that Billy Crystal was that the show on the 6th? >>

Really??!!! No, I didnt hear that !

Very cool !!!

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 10:31pm

Sir, if that was the case i would NOT see it. ew. Don't get me wrong, i like the girl, but just no.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 11:20pm

The only way I would want to see In the Heights on film is if they filmed the stage version and put it on TV, then released a DVD of it. Other than that, stay away.

[withoutlovewithoutU]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 11:24pm

I honestly don't see it working as a film, but I would love the stage version to be filmed and released on DVD.... it would be my ultimate bad day cure!

[steven22]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 6:31am

let it first have a nice and healthy run on broadway

[Anakela]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 9:45am

Kelli O'Hara recommends In the Heights-

Current show you have been recommending to friends:

In the Heights!!!! Wow!

I kinda adore her even more now.
PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Kelli O'Hara

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 12:14pm

For those who saw ITH off-Broadway what was Sergio Trujillo's choreography like in comparison to Andy Blankenbeuler's? I'm kind of curious as to why they brought in a new choreographer (by the way, I like Andy's and Luis' work).

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 12:43pm

Newsday.com
Latinos conquer Broadway with "In the Heights"
Ed Morales

E-mail Ed Morales at [e-mail].

June 8, 2008

With the news that the salsa-merengue-hip-hop musical "In the Heights" had garnered 13 Tony Award nominations, eclipsing most-likely-to-succeed musicals like "Young Frankenstein" and "South Pacific," a buzz has begun about shifting tastes on Broadway. It is true that "Heights," along with "Passing Strange," nominated for seven awards, represent a younger, hipper trend in musical theater. But "In the Heights" is also notable because it has succeeded where so many Latino-based plays have failed, perhaps signaling another trend - is the Latino-themed musical poised to finally conquer the Great White Way?

Latin-themed Broadway theater has had a checkered past, if you overlook "West Side Story," a play whose music was more driven by jazz than mambo. Luis Valdez's socio-historical "Zoot Suit," while not a complete disaster, closed in 1979 after just 41 performances, and in 1998, Paul Simon's "The Capeman" couldn't overcome negative publicity and its own complexity. Just three years ago, a much-anticipated production of Oscar Hijuelos' "The Mambo Kings" canceled its Broadway run after lackluster reviews in San Francisco.

So how did "In the Heights" manage to capture the hearts of audiences and critics where others had fallen short? It manages to find a middle path between the strong political themes of "Zoot Suit" and "The Capeman" and the relatively apolitical '50s nostalgia of "The Mambo Kings," for one. The focus is on contemporary issues, from urban gentrification to the ambivalence about class mobility faced by minorities at elite universities.

"In the Heights" is a play about a new generation of Latinos who strongly identify with their parents' Spanish-language culture while simultaneously embracing urban street culture, which is mostly lived in English. The songs shift easily and confidently between genres like traditional Broadway ballads, Afro-Caribbean bolero, salsa, merengue and good old uptown hip-hop. The music reflects the ease with which the young urban Latino flows between cultures and languages, and forms an attractive multicultural soundtrack for the non-Latino audience.

Most importantly, the songs for "In the Heights" were all written by a major new voice in theater, and perhaps in the future, recorded music. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a formidable rapper and excellent storyteller, and his persona adds just the right touch of humor. But apart from his well-delivered raps, he has composed songs that allow the cast members to express heartfelt emotions in an array of different styles that range from R&B to classic bolero and even reggaetón.

The original Broadway cast recording of "In the Heights" has just been released on Ghostlight Records, and it plays like a concept album for an urban Latino star-in-the-making. There are songs about life in the hood, hot nights at the club, nostalgia for the islands and even a mournful tribute to a deceased matriarch. Through these songs, Miranda has captured the hopes and dreams of an emerging demographic of under-30 Latinos and created a joyful spectacle that celebrates a new American dream, while reminding everyone of the commitment necessary to nurture it.

"In the Heights" is currently at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, 212-221-1211.

E-mail Ed Morales at [e-mail].

Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.

http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/sunday/fanfare/ny-fflat5713673jun08,0,2176410.story

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 2:12pm

That's a great article! Updated On: 6/10/08 at 02:12 PM

[Testing1232]

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

Great article !! Thanks for the link !

[meg_giry]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 4:24am

There are rumours that ITH could possibly open in San Francisco next year

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=968007&dt=29&boardid=1

Updated On: 6/11/08 at 04:24 AM

[shh282]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 1:29pm

BANGING.
ITH Recording #1 on Cast Album Chart

[Anakela]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 2:09pm

#1 cast album is awesome, but #82 on the Billboard top 200 is *amazing*- cast recordings don't even usually place on the top 200, let alone that high up.

LA Times Heights and Passing Strange profile piece today, talking about the 'new audiences' that they're bringing to Bway...


Tony-contending musicals bring new audiences to Broadway

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 6:33pm

Just got home from the matinee. Everyone was in, and pretty packed house. Good news--- show was amazing as usual !!!
Bad news... please, someone with some input (as far as the theatre--- ) if you are going to allow people to bring drinks back to their seats, PLEASE dont serve them with ice !!!

All you hear now is the sound of ice cubes rattling around in glasses !!! It was really annoying. In general.. ton of school groups today (expect that for a Weds mat), but the chaperones really need to do a better job of telling these people how to act in the theatre.

Ok... off of soapbox now. (I just wonder if the cast hears the ice cubes !!!???)

In other news ... anyone see the other thread regarding the "PS"/"ITH" Tony race? (from the NY Post) Looks like its going down to the wire!! I still see "ITH" winning for Best Musical, but looks like it could go either way.

[shh282]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 6:57pm

I agree testing - and I really can't wait until sunday to find out.

If it happens - I WANT FULL REVIEWS OF TUESDAYS' SHOW!!!

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 7:22pm

I know it's not a very popular sentiment in this thread, but I honestly wouldn't mind it if Passing Strange ended up winning the Tony. I adore that show, and it could certainly use the boost. I'm still rooting for ITH (and I honestly think it's going to win), but if it loses to anyone, I'd be content with its losing to Passing Strange.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 8:37pm

Chica,

I agree that it could definitely use the boost, and I think the cast is great, and I would be content as well.

My gut just tells me that "ITH" wins--- and a bunch of us will celebrate at the show (and post reviews !!) Tues !!!

[MyLife]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 8:47pm

Testing.... it seems that whenever I come back from ITH (all 3 times)you were at that performance too!(I also just came back from the matinee, and it was over too soon). That goes for the CD signing as well. I'll just have to go back again. And when I do, I'm sure you'll be there :)

And I agree about the drinks... also, any student group going to see the show needs to be told the rules of the theater. The talking up there in the mezz was awful. However, they did seem to enjoy it, which is good to know.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 8:48pm

Oh, trust me, I doubt anyone will scream with as much joy as I will the moment ITH is pronounced the winner. I'll be watching on tv, surrounded by friends and loved ones in Puerto Rico, waving our flags (yes, we're going to have PR flags. We're cool/dorky like that). And, patriotic loyalties aside, I genuinely believe this is the most deserving show of the bunch. If it indeed wins (as it deserves to) I'll be celebrating in spirit with all of you on Tuesday night. But from an objective standpoint, Passing Strange is an audacious, beautiful piece, that I feel is equally deserving of recognition. So given that scenario, I'd like to think I'd be happy for that show.

Now, if Cry-Baby ends up winning, it'll be a whole other story (although it'd be kinda hilarious).

[shh282]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 8:49pm

I would actually be okay with anyone but cry baby winning to be honest but I *WANT* In The Heights to win.

Come on, Guys.

In The Heights, YES IT WILL! [Take that, Cubby!]

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 8:52pm

<< The talking up there in the mezz was awful. However, they did seem to enjoy it, which is good to know.
>>

Tell me about it !!! Wife and I were there, and they were driving us nuts !!! Their chaperone/teacher actually had to reprimand them on three different occasions, the last time telling them that they were embarrassing !!!

The REALLY must do away with the ice cubes !!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 8:56pm

The "TimeOut NY" Tony predictions were really interesting--- very close between "ITH" and "PS" ("Xanadu" only getting 2% ??!!- Dont understand that...)

Thing (at least to me) that was REALLY surprising was "ITH" winning for Book over "Xanadu"-

If "ITH" wins Book, I dont think there is any doubt that they win for Best Musical. Everyone thinks the book is the weakest part of the show.