Why the Hype for In The Heights?- Page 2

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 7/2/08 at 6:04pm

I think ITH is hyped up, but I get why.

LPF, PS fans are rational. HOW DARE YOU?!! Updated On: 7/2/08 at 06:04 PM

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 7/2/08 at 6:15pm

yeah i didn't think there was hype... like someone said... shows like Producers, Wicked, Rent.. those shows are hyped... i absolutely new nothing about In the Heights until i saw the tony peformance... and i'm on these darn message boards and websites EVERY day... after the tonys i was HOOKED and then i bought the CD and was even MORE hooked... times like this i wished i lived in new york!

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 7/2/08 at 6:21pm

What hype?

Dancing is amazing. Score is pretty great. Book is ****ing TERRIBLE!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 7/2/08 at 6:34pm

What makes ANY show appeal to ANYONE?

Personal taste, I guess is the only "real" answer.

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/2/08 at 8:29pm

Thanks for all the responses. Guess I should have used the word "popular" instead of "hype"...I get your point as it's not overly advertised.

jrb, like your explanation. Guess the music just isn't my thing.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 7/2/08 at 8:39pm

Because it's a show that although has sad themes, is completely uplifting for me and others.
Many people have been fans since its off broadway run, and even just before the Tony wins, so they feel like they watched the show grow and became even more fabulous.
The cast are all incredibly talented, and all of them really appreciate their fans.
The music is unlike anything I've ever seen on a broadway stage, is ridiculously catchy, and has such a fantastic blend of many different genres.
Like Lin said; it's about home, and anyone who has had a family member sacrifice something for them can relate to the story. If not that, there's probably a character in the show that any one could relate to.
The dancing is freaking AMAZING as well, it's just so much fun to watch, and although is lacking a little book wise, is made up by all the wonderful performances and music.

[winston89]

Posted: 7/2/08 at 8:55pm

I honestly don't think that this show is overhyped on this thread anymore then any other thread about any other show. There is a large enough fan base for any performer or show that if one person says something bad about it there are always going to be more people who jump down that person's throat for their comment. For example, I don't like Patti LuPone. I can't stand her singing and I don't understand all the fuss about her. But, That comment will (and I am sure this will happen in this thread by someone) have people jump down my throats because there are a lot of patti fans out there.

That being said, I like this show because the music is fresh and new and explores a genre that hasn't been on Broadway before. I do admit that the book is a bit weak but has a very good storyline. Even though I can't relate to the storyline of a family member sacrificing something to help out their family. I can relate to the storyline of the character of Nina considering that I am starting college in the fall and have started to question the whole meaning of home to me. It was because of that that this show became the first show in my life that had something going on in the story that I was feeling in my own life. And it is for that reason that this show has become a special show for me. I also think that the dancing is AMAZING and the Tony for best choreography was well deserved.

I have also found that even though they are rapping on stage that there are people young and older ( some who have never listened to rap before) who can still understand the lyrics to the songs. And, there are also the group of people who never heard rap before and that is why they are having trouble understanding the lyrics. I myself while not the biggest rap fan on the planet but have had listened to it before. Didn't have any trouble understanding what was being sung on that stage.

I also agree with what has been said. Shows like Wicked or Rent have/had hype. In The Heights not so much. The only place I really heard it being talked a lot about was here. But, on this message board there seems to be a small group of fans who love every show on Broadway so that doesn't surprise me.

[toanythingtaboo 2]

Posted: 7/2/08 at 9:07pm

well i didn't give this show a second thought until their performance on the tony awards.

i quickly got the soundtrack and i'm progressively getting hooked, song by song.

the show is 'hyped' because its brought something new to the table, its fresh and has a lot of heart. so many shows around at the moment lack those qualities, so its no surprise that its causing a stir.

personally, i love the total mash of musical genres and culture. as someone who's lived in the uk and has never had a single spanish lesson, i didn't think i'd 'get' the show. but i really do, you don't need to understand what's being said to know what's happening. i like pretty much every genre of music, rap however i was never a huge fan of...probably because it tends to be about stuff i can't relate to...aka i wasn't raised in a ghetto, shot at 9 nine times, shag every girl i come across and now live life as a zillionaire.

but the rap in the show is well articulated, it means something and expresses the characters feelings better than if they just burst into a classic show tune.

over all, i'd say the show appeals to people who are interested in something different. its not typical musical, so it depends on ones tastes

[WiCkEd BaCcHaE]

Posted: 7/2/08 at 9:36pm

Elaborating on what others have said, I agree that much of the 'hype' has a lot to do with the use of contemporary music styles in a musical. Somewhere around the sixties and seventies, musicals stopped keeping up with the latest trends in pop music and decided to do its own thing (Example: Sondheim. And thank God for him).

While we have many fantastic shows as a result, ppl seem to get excited when a musical comes around that incorporates contemporary music with the musical theatre tradition. I personally believe that this will be considered another chapter in musical theatre history years from now and, while it may not stay around for very long, I think its a great experiement. I guess we'll see how long it continues.

[Humbert]

Posted: 7/2/08 at 11:47pm

mmFan,
I totally understand your question. My answer is that the show has one of the best marketing teams in the business behind it - they are the team behind Avenue Q (and Rent) and are very talented - that's the reason for the hype. Also, it appeals to the political needs of the industry, which is how it won the Tony. It is not the best show, but has a very easy, commercial, palpable package. It's easy.

[abitoftap]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 2:45am

If hype is meant to mean generate interest in a show which you may not have been aware of ...ITH was. When we visited NY in April from the UK, I was deciding what shows to see and book, from January.Gypsy came first but I spotted the comments on this board regarding this show, then the ads in the top right of these pages, the music links, the postcards, which lead to the stuff on Youtube etc etc. The bits of music sounded great, the videos looked great and we booked to see the show in February.
Best decision I ever made.

If by hype you mean pushing something which isn't good enough to justify all the comment..NO.. a million times.

The marketing team for ITH deserve a medal. I felt I'd discovered the show myself (which I clearly hadn't), but it made me feel part of the whole deal..and when they won the Tonys!

Looking ahead, having seen the less than thrilling London transfers of the Producers and Chicago (after seeing the early months of the New York shows), I'm worried the whole energy and freshness wouldn't travel.

[My Oh My]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 4:13am

"This show has about as much appeal to me as would any other Broadway show to the Latino, rap, hip-hop crowd."

Yeah, because there are NO Latinos out there who enjoy traditional musical theatre. *eye roll*

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 12:51pm

mmFan.... you are not alone in your opinion. The show was enjoyable and had some great things to recommend it BUT it is certianley over hyped! I forgot about in completely thet next day. The music is nice. The story is boring. The show is worth seeing but not worthy of all the awards and praise bestowed upon in. People tend to get on bandwagons

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 12:57pm

it's so over-rated...