The style of music in "In The Heights?"

[BenKaye]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:19pm

A lot of people seem to be raving about In The Heights, and it's possible I might see it, but the one thing that is really keeping me from seeing this is, the music.

From that I've heard, from the online videos, the commercials, the behind-the-scenes footage, it all basically just sounds like generic latin music, which I'm not such a fan of.

Is there any "Broadway-esque" style of music contained in this score? I would really like to know, thanks y'all.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:22pm

If you're looking for "Adelaide's Lament" or "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy" or "How are Things in Glocca Morra," In the Heights will leave you disappointed. There are the same kind of songs, but they're written in the Latino-style.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:37pm

I'd actually say that the songs are showtunes with a bit of latino influence in them. There are one or two hip hop songs, and one or two totally latin-style songs, but mostly I'd say contemporary showtunes.

[FIERCEY516]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:50pm

they are FAR from "showtunes"

I mean, what IS a "showtune" anymore?? with WICKED and PASSING STRANGE and shows of this nature, it's hard to truly define that term anymore.

I did NOT enjoy "In The Heights" but I personally really really liked the music. It was so different and exciting. It will be a great album to have on your iPod.

It's really an infusion of rap/reggaetone/salsa/marimba/R&B. I imagine some might believe that the slower quieter ballads are "showtunes" but the ballads are clearly based on pop/contempory stylings.

I also think the arrangements, for this specific score, are top notch. loves it.

[BenKaye]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:55pm

Thanks for your input everybody. Let me just specify a bit.

My favorite composers include Stephen Sondheim, William Finn, Michale John Lachiusa, Jason Robert Brown, and Adam Guettel.

I liked the scores to Passing Strange, and many other "rock" shows.

Other recent scores I like include Spring Awakening, Grey Gardens, Urinetown, Avenue Q, Caroline or Change, and I also like the works of Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty.

To a person with this sort of taste, would the score appeal?

[BkCollector]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:56pm

Ben,

Maybe you should take this as an opportunity to take a look into Latin music. It is very rhythmically and lyrically comparable to a lot of musical theater in it's inventiveness and cleverness.

Maybe you also should ask yourself what it is about Latin music that you do not like and then look at those reasons and see what the foundations are for them. A little soul-searching might open you up to a world of music you never knew existed before.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:05pm

I enjoy some of those composers as well, and I LOVED In the Heights. I say branch out a little, you might enjoy it.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:27pm

*sigh* here goes:

It may all seem like "generic Latin music" to you, but that's FAR from the truth. There's no such THING as "generic Latin music". Our music is very varied, very complex, and varies from nationality to nationality. Puerto Rican music is different from Cuban music, or Mexican, etc. While there are some similar traits, and to the untrained ear it may all sound the same, believe me, there are vast differences. We may all be linked through heritage, but we take pride in our specific, regional and cultural identities. That goes from our expressions, our history, the foods we eat, and our music. And, frankly, I find this sort of generalization to be very offensive.

When you see the show, those of us belonging to or familiar with these cultures can tell what each character's nationality is by the music they sing and dance to.

In The Heights fuses the sounds of Puerto Rican and Cuban salsa, Dominican merengue, Mexican rumba, bachata, boleros, bomba y plena, along with hip hop, rap, reggaeton, pop music, and, yes, traditional showtunes. The music is very genuine, very specific, and beautifully composed, orchestrated and performed. It's as authentic to our culture as Broadway has ever gotten it.

I would say you need to open yourself up to different things, instead of writing off the entirety of the musical offerings our cultures have to offer. If you decide you don't like our music, it should at least be an informed opinion.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:30pm

Chica, have I mentioned that you make some wonderful postings on this subject?

[FIERCEY516]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:30pm

Broadwaychica, what song would you consider a "traditional showtune" ??

I heard nothing that was of even faint resemblence to a "traditional showtune"

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:33pm

"When You're Home" follows every convention of a traditional theatrical ballad- so do a few other songs in the show.

Edit: Another one- Everything I Know. A lot of Nina's songs do...

Updated On: 3/26/08 at 07:33 PM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:34pm

<< I heard nothing that was of even faint resemblence to a "traditional showtune" >>

"Traditional showtune" in what sense? There are a number of ballads on the score. "Breathe" for one, I would consider a typical Broadway ballad.

[FIERCEY516]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:37pm

then I must be deaf. I will have to go back and re-listen.

all of the ballads are clearly contemporary, with a pop/R&B influence. especially pop.

we'll agree to disagree.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:44pm

What Katurian said

To clarify, what I meant was that there are songs that perfectly belong to the musical theatre tradition. Their structure, buildup - it's all very "showtuney". For all its "hip", contemporary vibe, ITH is a very traditional and in some ways old fashioned piece of musical theatre. "Breathe", as Testing said, is a perfect example.

And thanks dancing :)

[singingbackup]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:52pm

I found some of the songs reminded me of Jason Robert Brown and Jonathan Larson, so you should enjoy it.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:55pm

Agree, Singing... alot of the music reminded me of "Rent" -
Especially "When You're Home"-

[joniray]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 8:02pm

BenKaye, have you seen the clip at the below link? I think it’s the best one I’ve seen so far for giving an idea as to what the show is like overall musically and visually.
Clip of “Ninety-six Thousand” from In the Heights

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 8:08pm

Mmm, that clip looks from a total different show than the one I saw. Now I'm wishing I wasn't so close to the stage when I saw it.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 8:10pm

How did that person get that clip?! Ahh- It's amazing! Too close, blaxx? haha, Now I'm wishing I were closer than the 2nd mezz. That is a really great representation of one of the best numbers in the show- and illustrates how it so effectively blends showtunes, rap and latino styles.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 8:12pm

Great clip !!! The choreography seems just a bit different now.. unless I just never realized how good Seth Stewart really is !!!

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 8:17pm

Ah that clip is amazing!

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 8:19pm

I must have been too close - after I saw it I could've sworn the choreography was just a group of ensemble members crossing the stage doing a couple of random steps and then exiting.

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 8:28pm

Generic and undramatic.








Lola Delaney
A Midwestern Town

Updated On: 4/29/08 at 08:28 PM

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 8:29pm

That clip is marvelous. Thanks.

[BenKaye]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 8:51pm

That clip actually does help me a lot. Thank you joniray.

I'm sorry if I sounded offensive with my comments Broadway Chica. I didn't mean to generalize the many sounds of Latino music like that, and I apologize for that.

Thank you all for your help in the matter. It is quite possible that I will see this show in the bear future.