Maybe I should define what I believe the meaning of authentic is. I believe that something authentic causes one to feel something. West Side Story for example causes many emotions, ranging from love to sadness. Death in WSS is heartfelt, while death in ITH feels only like a plot technique.
I'm sorry but when death occurs in ITH, I felt nothing. But when it occurs in Passing Strange, it feels real and heartbreaking. There is just no grit in ITH, it's too clean if that makes sense. It actually looked like a pretty nice neighborhood, not the terrible one that some of the characters made it sound like.
And just because you personally didn't like SA does not discredit everyone else's opinion.
Not once did anyone in the cast of Passing Strange do that.
You completely missed my point. Nor did I mean that he's telling you the story, for whoever posted that. I have no issue with narrators in shows. At all. Some of my favorite characters fall into that category. Did I say the CAST of Passing Strange sat on stage and told you how good it was? No. I didn't mean there was a direct line in the show that goes, "here's why our show is good." At all. Shows themselves are capable of telling the audience things, too. It doesn't have to come from a line spoken by an actor. It's a reflection on the show's entire sensibility.
Barcelona20, how one reacts to an event in a musical or play is their own experience. You didn't feel anything when death occurred in, "ITH". That's all well and good, but that was your experience. Does that mean if I felt something, that my feelings were incorrect, because you and I had a different reaction? Just asking. Because that's basically what I'm interpretting from your post.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
"Maybe I should define what I believe the meaning of authentic is. I believe that something authentic causes one to feel something."
A show doesn't have to be "authentic" to cause someone to feel something. Something that is authentic means that it is not false or an imitation and is true to the original. It can be a totally made up story, yet emotionally appeal to people on different levels. I think you need to look for a different word. Maybe the story told in "In the Heights" isn't genuine to the writer's life, but whether or not someone felt something is unique to each audience member who attends the show. It wouldn't really be a question of authenticity then.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
I just hope both of these shows close early so we can have more worn-to-the-stump revivals, Disney quickies, and musicals based on popular movies. Who's with me??
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
I wouldn't say your feelings are incorrect. Feelings are feelings, but personally, one of the numerous problems with the book of ITH, is that it never illicits any deep emotion. It's all kept at a very glossy and sitcom-like level.
For the record, I'm extremely glad that we are even able to have a debate like this about original work. I hope that we will get to do it more often in the future.
It definitely is nice to debate original work. Tears are brought to my eyes by many different things. In the case of "In the Heights", not only because of Abuella, but the sheer joy that radiated from the stage throughout the show.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
Ummmm... About 99.99% of the people "ACTING" on Broadway haven't experienced or lived through what their characters are experiencing. (Well Ashley Brown can fly) So I don't really get your point. Are you just comparing the two shows because they are both "ethnic?" Help me understand where you're coming from.
I think barcelona20 means that he feels Stew's story generates more serious emotions than In the Heights. I haven't seen either show, but from what I do know about them, they don't seem like two shows that are comparable.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
I'm talking about the experience and writing of the authors.
It's obvious that Stew's story is real, whereas Lin Manuel's is his fictionalized version of Wash Heights, a neighborhood in which he didn't technically even grow up in. I mean could they maybe have added some drama with maybe someone being shot, overdosing, etc... Instead they made it this Disneylike neighborhood in NY.
I compared the two as both are about the idea of family and home, and both currently new on Broadway.
Okay, I held off on penning anything, but here we go...
I attended the evening performance of PASSING STRANGE this past Wedneday evening with my friend James. I had purchased the tix well in advance (January 22 to be exact). I was seated second row center (A-107). First and foremost, the staff at the Belasco is top-notch; one of the nicest bunch of folks you will ever have the opportunity to meet - bright, beaming and welcoming throughout. Now, on to the show...
PASSING STRANGE, for me, amounted to a religious experience. What STEW and his merry band of misfits mount is truly something 'not to be missed' - it struck a chord with me throughout the entire 2 hrs and 20 minutes of performance. I'm 20 years old, I live in the suburbs, but I want MORE out of life. I NEED MORE out of my life. I WANT, nay, DESERVE MORE out of my life. It's about 'taking the next few steps' to accomplishing what you know in your heart is 'real' - It's about taking chances, doing what you believe you 'have to do' to achieve on this realm. The music, the emotion, the passion that oozed from that stage and throughout my being was welcomed with a great big smile from yours truly.
I was rocking out the ENTIRE time. What really made me feel wonderful was that the audience was made up of every-which-race, religion, creed, all sharing and basking in the wonder that was put forth for our enjoyment. I got teary-eyed during Stew's monologue at the very end of the show that evening, which later transitioned into the final number. Truly, truly beautiful, REAL moment for yours truly. Nevermind the fact that STEW was looking dead at me. I can't say enough about this production, and truly, truly wish it great continues successes!
The really 'telling moment' for me was after the curtain call - The houselights came up and the African American gentleman sitting next to me turned and smiled, "...Now *THAT'S* musical thatre!" I smiled back and aptly replied, "Oh yeah, brother!" Train schedules being as tehy are, I didn't have the opportunity to meet STEW afterwards at the stage door. I would, however, like others take-in this message, what I was planning on telling STEW upon meeting him after the show: PASSING STRANGE *needs* to be here. It needs to be taken-in and experienced as a whole - The music, the message, the morals, the movement. As I exited the Belasco that evening, just waiting to 'reflect', I felt somewhat hesitant. That's when I got the underlying feeling that if the walls could talk they'd pose the question, "How you gonna leave, right when it was starting to feel real?"
Barcelona- They are two completely different types of shows. Plus I lived in Washington Heights at 180th for about 6 years and noone ever got shot on my block, and guess what people there did seem pretty happy. Why would making someone get shot make it more real for you? I'm not saying you have to like the show, but Latin people don't shoot each other in washington heights everyday, there are some "normal" people that live there that aren't in gangs and love their families.
They did accomplish showing the wholesomeness of the community, but I would have liked to have seen some more dramatic elements than a girl dropping out of Stanford and lying to her parents.
I just prefer shows where you can take something away from it and apply it to life. I didn't find anything to take away from ITH.
Different people relate to different things. It's great that you got something out of PS, as did I..but that's not to say that nobody got anything out of ITH. Maybe someone who doesn't know who his/her father is, can really relate and get something out of MAMMA MIA.
I think we should keep in mind that ITH hasn't ever (as far as I know) claimed to be anything more than a celebration of life and home. It's not claiming to be a catharsis-inducing event - or even a deep emotional journey. It is celebration of home - just like the dancing I see on 183rd and in Inwood during the summer. In fact, even the advertisements for it stress the celebratory aspects of the performance...and word of mouth has never lead me to believe that it is anything else.
Every review I have read has said that it's a popcorn musical - flawed, but fun. Light-hearted and meant to make you happy. I understand not caring for the piece - honestly, while I enjoyed it, it in no way changed my life - but this really is an apples and oranges thing. It's been said several times in this post.
It's like saying that you liked Annie but hated Coram Boy - I mean, they both concern themselves with Orphans but one was so damn dark. (maybe that's not the best example...lol...scratch that)
I just don't see why we're comparing these two shows. They are so obviously not meant to be compared. One is striving for deep artistic expression, the other is striving to celebrate life and home.
One last thing...Washington Heights and Inwood are very close to one another. While they do have differences, I don't see why a few blocks distroys this guy's credibility. Economic standing is a far better argument if you're going to go down that road.
I think I met you once during Journey's End? Anyway, not to be snobbish or anything, but PassingStrange REQUIRES aggressive attention by the audience. There are soooooo many delicately turned phrases and numerous parodies of style, content, etc., that I believe makes it BOTH an intelligent AND moving story, told by a guy who has indisputable stage presence, and a kooky look. Wow, a leading man who's NOT a pretty boy! (he's up there 2 HOURS STRAIGHT and ROCKS the house!)
And just because you personally didn't like SA does not discredit everyone else's opinion.
Who said it did? You mentioned that PS has received the best reviews of a musical this year. I'm just saying it doesn't necessarily mean you will like it or even think it is a good show.
I WANT, nay, DESERVE MORE out of my life.
Why do you "deserve" more? I can understand "want" or "desire", but "deserve"?
Did you cry at Mamma Mia also?
WTF does that have to do with anything?
I mean could they maybe have added some drama with maybe someone being shot, overdosing, etc...
So you feel the current book is "contrived", but adding the use of negative stereotypes is "gritty"?
Honestly, I can understand how people can like some shows and not others. I don't have a problem with that. I just didn't get the whole "authentic" thing, which you first explained as one thing, then backpedaled to say that you were more emotionally connected to one show and not the other, which...ok. But if other people feel emotionally connected to In the Heights, you seem to get a little bitchy. So, all I have to say is, just because you personally didn't like ITH does not discredit everyone else's opinion.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
