The word that explains the difference between Passing Strange & In the Heights

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.

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 05:57 PM

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?

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.

---

Updated On: 3/6/08 at 06:20 PM

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!

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.

---

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.

They are different shows, as many people are saying, so it really isn't fair to compare them.

Still, "Passing Strange" Rocks!!!

---

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

its 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.

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.

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.

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.

---

Updated On: 3/7/08 at 10:52 AM