The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the Heights
The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the Heights
barcelona20
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#1The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the Heights
Posted: 3/6/08 at 5:36pm
AUTHENTICITY
Passing Strange - The author (Stew) actually experienced his story, albeit with a few with slight exaggerations.
In the Heights - Lin Manuel grew up in a well off family, went to private college, and didn't technically live in Wash Heights, this story is mostly fiction based on cliches.
#2re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the Heights
Posted: 3/6/08 at 5:39pmso?
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
barcelona20
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#3re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 5:58pmIf you're looking for art that is authentic and real compared to contrived, then Passing Strange is the recommended choice.
#4re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 6:12pm
oh lord, spare me the pretentious bull****.
Have you even SEEN ITH? Or is this just desperate attempts to get peopel to see a sinking show?
singingbackup
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/3/06
#5re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 6:19pmOne would argue that people bursting into song (besides many of us here) is far from 'authentic' and rather 'contrived.'
#6re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 6:20pmYeah, and Lin-Manuel Miranda has more talent in his left pinky than you'll find in the entirety of the writers of a show that falls back on literally sitting there and TELLING YOU how good it is.
Deycallmemimi2
Chorus Member Joined: 11/28/07
#7re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:00pm
Lin gives an amazing performance and In the Heights is a fun show that will do well because of its SUPER TALENTED CAST, FIERCE CHOREOGRAPHY, AND OVERALL JUST BEING A FRIVILOUS FUN HIGH ENERGY SHOW that makes you forget it has no real stakes, or conflict in the book that seems it was written by a 4th grader. Thats where the problem in the show is!
Passing Strange is food that feeds the soul, and In The Heights is like Cake! In life you need both! So hopefully they can both have the long successful runs!
Deycallmemimi2
Chorus Member Joined: 11/28/07
#8re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:00pm
Lin gives an amazing performance and In the Heights is a fun show that will do well because of its SUPER TALENTED CAST, FIERCE CHOREOGRAPHY, AND OVERALL JUST BEING A FRIVILOUS FUN HIGH ENERGY SHOW that makes you forget it has no real stakes, or conflict in the book that seems it was written by a 4th grader. Thats where the problem in the show is!
Passing Strange is food that feeds the soul, and In The Heights is like Cake! In life you need both! So hopefully they can both have the long successful runs!
#9re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:01pm
Doesn't mean Passing Strange is any better.
The word I would have used is: quality.
While ITH is far, far from a perfect show, it is vastly superior to Stew's debacle that's onstage at the Belasco.
Updated On: 3/6/08 at 10:01 PM
#10re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:04pm
Uh, Stew also came from a well-off family. I don't see your point.
Both shows are terrific on their own merits.
Apples and oranges.
I hope they both do well.
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
#11re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:09pm
I think you should have stayed at "difference"-
They are totally different shows.
barcelona20
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#12re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:16pm
First off, i have seen both shows. Passing Strange twice actually.
I don't think they are totally different shows, as they both have similar themes of discovering what is real and where "home" is, which is with your family. The difference is Passing Strange tells the story in a real, authentic way, whereas ITH uses writers from ABC Family to write it. I've said it before, ITH is no West Side Story. You actually "feel" when watching it, watching ITH and following the cliched story made me want to throw up.
Right, the debacle at the Belasco which received the best reviews of a musical this year.
As a musical theatre fan, especially of original work, I would like both to succeed, I just want to point out the strengths of Passing Strange, so that hopefully more people will see it and keep it going.
#13re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:18pm
So, why dont you point out why you liked "PS" (I did as well), without making a comparison to "ITH"?
Just curious....
#14re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:33pm
They are different shows, as many people are saying, so it really isn't fair to compare them.
Still, "Passing Strange" Rocks!!!
ElizabethRachel
Swing Joined: 12/5/07
#15re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:33pmYeah, I agree with above. Tell us about Passing Strange. This is slightly off topic but I was thinking of seeing that. Good idea?
#16re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:34pm
Its like comparing Apples to Oranges... I like both and I cannot really compare my experiences between the two!
Though I would say something about Manuel Lin Miranda's character, though he might not experience it...but there's tons of Usnavis...living everyday in the United States.
Its every immigrant story! my parents are immigrants to this country and they are Asian-Americans (Filipinos) and I can even relate to Usnavi's character. It has that universal theme of living in USA, trying to make some money here, but ultimately go home to where you belong...it was "authentic" to me.
J*
Updated On: 3/6/08 at 10:34 PM
#17re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:36pm
Yeah, I agree with above. Tell us about Passing Strange. This is slightly off topic but I was thinking of seeing that. Good idea?
Yup. Best show Ive seen this season so far! Go see PASSING STRANGE!
J*
Updated On: 3/6/08 at 10:36 PM
#18re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:44pmits more universal than just every immigrant story. I can relate and im born and raised in this country. It works for anyone whos every left home for somewhere far away or different from where they grew up.
#19re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 10:59pmWell, to be fair, "Passing Strange," in a way, is also about a person leaving their home for somewhere far away, or different from where they grew up. Maybe for a different reason, but still.
#20re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 11:10pm
Yeah, and Lin-Manuel Miranda has more talent in his left pinky than you'll find in the entirety of the writers of a show that falls back on literally sitting there and TELLING YOU how good it is.
Not once did anyone in the cast of Passing Strange do that.
#21re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/6/08 at 11:23pm
I would not call PS a "sinking" show, Liverpool. I work there and the excellent word of mouth is gradually spreading. The house was jam packed tonight, and people LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the show, young AND old. What's with the negative comparisons---I thought you people on BWW LOVE the theater? PS is only playing 4 weeks--let's give ALL the new shows a chance...it's not like Mr. & Mrs. Suburbia and their children make IMMEDIATE plans to go to a show the next day. Let the marketing of PS's reviews and word of mouth build....
Again, I echo Mr. Jaystarr, BenKaye,etc. -- this is one rockin, funny, acerbic, self parodying musical. 26.00 -54.00 (discounts online) for Orch. Who WOULDN'T want to go??
#22re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/7/08 at 12:12am
http://www.stagestrucknyc.com
A very well written "review" on Passing Strange by someone who saw it last night....sorta captures the essence of PS, I believe.
kidmanboy
Leading Actor Joined: 5/10/04
#23re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/7/08 at 7:00am
As far as Stew standing there and telling you the story...he's not telling you, he's providing INSIGHT, something that In the Heights does not do at all. And I didn't really find ITH all that fun either. Certainly better than this fall's new musicals, but by NO means a memorable evening in the theater for me.
Also, Usnavi narrates parts of ITH as well...and really doesn't add anything to it by doing so.
#24re: The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the
Posted: 3/7/08 at 10:52am
Right, the debacle at the Belasco which received the best reviews of a musical this year.
Which is meaningless when it comes to personal opinion. Spring Awakening got excellent reviews last season and I was supremely disappointed.
And since when does "authenticity" dictate the quality of a musical? You say In the Heights is no West Side Story, yet other than its use of vernaular, West Side Story was not especially authentic either. I don't remember reading about Bernstein being a gang member in the 50s. Nor have I been led to believe he is Hispanic. And since the story was based on Shakespeare, I doubt he's old enough to have ever been a Montague or a Capulet nor lived in Verona in the 16th century. The Light in the Piazza was considered an artistic triumph of its season and how "authentic" do you believe it to be? Or most musicals for that matter?
Honestly, I don't understand how authenticity would be used to judge two completely different musicals unless they happen to attempt to tell the exact same story and be historical in nature. Otherwise, the point is moot.
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