The Official "In The Heights" Love Thread....- Page 76

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 1:11pm

evadiva, I've always been told I don't look Puerto Rican, either. It's a very disheartening experience, and I'm always relieved to talk to other people who feel the same way. It's hard growing up feeling like you don't belong, being called "jincha", people surprised when I open my mouth and realize I have an accent.

I read an essay the other day, I wish I could remember the name, about Puerto Rican indentity in West Side Story. There was a section on "brown facing", and talked about numerous Latina actresses who had been cast as Maria, but were told they needed to darken their skin, because they didn't look latina enough. It's a very very unfortunate circumstance, the way our identity has been shaped, and how if you don't particularly "fit" into the mold of what latino "should" be, you feel ostracized. Whether it's because you don't fit a physical attribute, or maybe, like in Junot Diaz's "The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao", you're not "macho" enough, or different from other people like you. All encompassing identities are most harmful to the people who don't fit the mold. It's not easy being an actor, especially latino, trying to make it in the business. It's one of the reasons I love the way In The Heights and its popularity is opening the door for our people in this business, or the fact that Lin-Manuel himself, by not fitting into the image of what people usually associate with latinos (because he's, and I say this with love, somewhat of a geek) opens to the door to a realization that we're all unique in our own ways, and whether we like Daddy Yankee, or Broadway showtunes, or Dungeons and Dragons, we're all part of the same culture, and that unites us.

That was rambly, but you get my point. And this isn't an attack at anyone. The aforementioned comment about Mandy not looking latina simply opened up a few wounds, but we all know it wasn't meant in a derogatory manner. It's part of a reality many of us live with.

Oh, and ps, it's always nice to speak to another boricua on these boards. Bienvenida :)

[evadiva]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 1:57pm

No Chita it's ok. I was just rambling. Look for the stage is very important so you made good points. You know? It's cool.

[evadiva]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 2:01pm

Thanks chica!

[Anakela]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 11:54am

Janet!!! :)
Janet Dacal, Fresh Face Interview: broadway.com

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 12:09pm

What a doll!! I can't wait to see this again on the 20th.

[Steve2]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 12:27pm

Piling on the ITH Love:

I saw this last Thursday after first seeing back in March (based on BWW response).
The cast was absolutely on fire and the audience was very enthusiastic. Everyone was very nice at the stage door as well. I thanked Lin-Manuel and said congratulations and he extended his hand for me to shake which I thought was gracious and unexpected.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 1:11pm

On a completely random note, has anyone ever gotten to speak to Priscilla/got anything signed from her?

I have. It was back in previews so I don't know how things are now, but she was very sweet (especially since I was slightly stunned).


By the way, Janet is about the cutest thing ever,

[Anakela]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 1:26pm

OMG IT'S FINALLY UP!!!
Legally Brown: The Search For The Next Piragua Guy

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 1:39pm

YESYESYES!!! oh my god i just died laughing at Cheyenne's "awesome blossom fabulous fantastic!"

and "if hunter cries one more time im gonna f*cking beat the sh*t out of him"

I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

a HIT!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 2:27pm

That was funny.

[Anakela]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 4:09pm

ps the other link is dead- The Search for the Next Piragua Guy is now in widescreen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2yoyjJtKWg

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 4:10pm

I almost shat a brick when I saw Allison Janney

[Anakela]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 4:18pm

The whole video is my favorite, but Asmeret Duff is GENIUS- "...one of you will keep being on Broadway." lol

And Quiara with the "I am not buying what you're selling." That was perfect. *love*

And the list of guest judges!

And for two seconds I thought Cheyenne was naked under his apron.

...yeah, the whole video is my favorite.

[PlayhouseBeauty]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 4:21pm

I finally got to see ITH on Sunday and I have to say it was FANTASTIC!!! I bought the cast recording the day it came out and fell in love with the whole musical. I thought every single actor/actress was amazing in their roles. There was no weak link!!!

I got to stage door afterwards and everyone came out. This cast is the most appreciative cast I have ever met. Karen was hysterical she was having a great time with everyone. Mandy couldn't have be sweeter and my god Chris is sooooo gorgeous!!! Lin-Manuel was in kind of a rush but tried to stay and talk to everyone as long as they could. Priscilla was so gracious as was Olga! I just had a great time meeting them all! :)

I just have a quick question about the show. What nationality is Benny supposed to be? Because from what I understood was that he was not part of the Latin community? If anyone could help out with this question that would be great!

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 4:26pm

PlayhouseBeauty, we had a discussion about this recently. Benny's not latino, he's African American, the idea being that he's an outsider within a community of outsiders. But for whatever reason, a lot of people (including my own mother) tend to miss that.

Glad you loved the show :)

[PlayhouseBeauty]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 5:21pm

Thanks for the info Broadway Chica....I knew Benny wasn't Latino, I just wasn't sure what he was lol!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 8:18pm

Just got back from Disney--- was flipping thru cable stations down there, and come across a channel that I believe was called American Latino TV (or something like that) - They had a great spot about "ITH"--- Excellent interviews with Olga and Robin, and Mandy and Chris. Better than anything I have seen here.

Has anyone else seen it?

[Anakela]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 8:37pm

Testing- American Latino TV airs here too. I have "In the Heights" saved on my tiVo wishlist, which is how I know it airs here, that episode got saved for me. The off-Broadway episode from wayback got saved too, when it was repeated.

(fwiw tiVo says it aired at 4pm on channel 9 WWOR)

[Testing1232]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 8:52pm

Thanks, Ana !! It really was a great spot !!! Just read that Chris and Mandy will be performing Sunday (9/14) at "Broadway on Broadway" (my apologies if this was already posted) -

I believe its at 11:30am

[HometownGlory]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 1:03am

JUST saw ITH for the first time and loved it. It didn't change my life, but the voices are fantastic and the choreography, lighting and general production are out of this world. I love the simple power of the story.

Chris Jackson was out, unfortunately. His understudy Rogelio Douglas, Jr. was wonderful, however. 96,000 is the highlight, but the whole show crackles. This is why I love original casts! They each have such a handle on their parts. Mandy Gonzales, needless to say, was dazzling. What a great dancing ensemble they have (I would love to see Krysta Rodriguez have more to do.) At the stagedoor, everyone was very nice - Lin was in a hurry but still signed. The unbelievably beautiful Karen Olivo continues to blow my mind with her voice. I told her that her singing touched my soul, and she was a sweetheart. Lovely, lovely woman who I hope to see onstage often. (Unfortunately, as I was praising her to the skies, Janet was right behind her signing my Playbill. We made eye contact and I said "You were wonderful, too!" I realized that it came out as a throw-away compliment, which it really wasn't meant to be. I loved watching her onstage.) And what a thrill to meet Priscilla Lopez!

Olga Merediz looked up at me, smiled and asked if I had been at the show before, because I looked familiar? I told her no, that it was my first time and I loved it. She asked my name, took my hands and told me that she would look for my name in lights, when I had given no previous indication of my career aspirations.

That was pretty damn special, I'm not going to lie.
Updated On: 9/5/08 at 01:03 AM

[tinysinger87]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 4:22pm

how much of the original cast will still be in it on Oct 25th? I just got front row mezz tix for my birthday!!!!
just wondering thanks!

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 4:24pm

They will all be there. They will probably start leaving around March.

[tinysinger87]

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

scoooooooooooore !!!!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 6:32pm

Has Robin de Jesus taken any time off? I haven't noticed anything in the past on the understudies website (which is why I asked).

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 6:46pm

Nope, I don't think so. I have only heard of one understudy going on but I'm sure there have been more.