Would A Nerdy White Suburban Chick Enjoy "In The Heights?"

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 3:24pm

My theatre class is going to see In The Heights in a few months. I was all pumped to go on this New York trip, since I've only been to New York once in my life before, but I just found out today that the show was In The Heights. Now I'm not sure if I want to go anymore. Can you guys tell me a bit about the show and whether you think I'd enjoy it?

I speak no Spanish at all, and I don't really listen to much music except some Broadway cast recordings, the Beatles, Queen, David Bowie, and Billy Joel. Is In The Heights all rap, hip-hop, and R&B? And would I understand what was going on at all? I enjoy most musicals-- the only ones I've ever REALLY disliked were Spring Awakening and Starmites-- but from what I've heard, this doesn't really sound like most traditional Broadway 'musicals.' What do you guys think?

Updated On: 9/22/09 at 03:24 PM

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 3:32pm

There are only moments where they speak in Spanish. It's not the whole show. And they have a Broadway cast recording. There are heavy elements of hip hop and R&B but it's original material and it's used to enhance the story. I've never seen it, but the cast recording is one of my favorites.

In The Heights Description

Updated On: 9/22/09 at 03:32 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 3:32pm

Go for it Schmerg!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 3:33pm

Also, go to the "site that must not be named but still gets posted on here all the time" to watch the Tony performance to get a feel of it.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 3:36pm

Wow.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 3:40pm

Spider, Youtube is no longer a banned word.

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 3:40pm

but from what I've heard, this doesn't really sound like a 'musical.'

Oh, it sounds like a musical, don't you worry. And the book is so weak that a five year old would know how it ends just by watching the first twenty minutes.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 3:41pm

TheatreFan - Oh. Well, it's still fun to say

[mina3]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 3:57pm

Leaving aside all the presumptions and stereotypes inherent in your question: I am a nerdy white formerly-suburban chick and I very much enjoyed In the Heights.

It is a very typical musical in form and structure. The language and occasional use of rap are the only major factors differentiating it from, say, Fiddler on the Roof (another musical about a cultural community - surprisingly similar, in fact). I don't listen to rap or R&B and have about an eighth-grade understanding of Spanish, and it was plenty easy to follow. I have friends from other countries who saw it and also had no problem relating.

I'm not sure I understand why you would turn down the opportunity to see an award-winning, fairly popular Broadway musical that you haven't seen before. Even if you hate it, which I doubt, wouldn't it be worth the experience and the exposure to a large part of modern Broadway history?

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:03pm

Enjoy? Yes!
Love? Probably not.

I'd say go for it. Like mina3 said, even if it doesn't end up being your favorite show, you won't regret seeing it.

[mariusmyhomeboy]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:07pm

Yes! Go, go, go. Everyone can relate to the story.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:08pm

Mina, thank you. That's really the kind of response I was hoping to get. I didn't think there was a HUGE chance that I'd hate it if so many dyed-in-the wool theatre fans loved it... but my theatre teacher kept hinting we'd see Next To Normal, so I was a little surprised because that wasn't what I'd prepared for. It's nice to hear that it's not all rapping and hip-hop, because all I know about it is that it's "the rap musical."

To answer your question about why I might turn down the opportunity-- it's solely a financial thing. Tickets are $200 (for seats in the very last row of the theatre, plus a six-hour bus ride), and I don't know if I want my parents to spend such a ridiculously humongous sum of money on anything unless I want to see the show so much that I'd forgo all Christmas and Birthday presents or any fun activities I might want to do during the year, like seeing movies or going out to eat!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:10pm

I agree that everyone can relate to it. I love the show and I am not only white and nerdy, but also from the Midwest.

I speak Spanish too though so that helps.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:11pm

Tickets are $200 (for seats in the very last row of the theatre, plus a six-hour bus ride),

Damn. We've been paying $60 with a 4 hour bus ride. It's going to cost over $100 this year though because the bus company no longer has school prices...

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:12pm

a large part of modern Broadway history

I don't know if I'd go that far, at least not yet, but yes, it's worth seeing. Although I understand about the money issues. I wouldn't pay $200, but I live in New York, so I have many more opportunities to see it for less.

Signed, another nerdy white formerly suburban chick (who is conversational in Spanish)

[mariusmyhomeboy]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:17pm

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=969773&boardname=bway&boardid=1

^ A few translations.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:27pm

Yes! Go!

Unlike some shows where the music is not a mixture of Theater and rock or rap or hip hop or whatever, In The Heights works the two beautifully. The music flows incredibly well and you will be singing it on your way out. the dancing is phenomenal, the lights and sets are gorgeous and the cast is great (most of them).

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:35pm

Was the real question "Is watching ITH from the last row in the theatre for $200 worth it?"

Because I'd say it's not worth that much.

[mina3]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:40pm

Believe me, I understand the money thing. But still - maybe it's just me, but if the options are "go to NYC and see a Broadway musical I don't know much about" and "don't go to NYC and don't see a Broadway musical," I'm pretty sure I know where I'd be.

My high school brought a bunch of us out here to NYC one year, and we saw Thoroughly Modern Millie and Urinetown. I couldn't have told you a thing about either show beforehand, and I wasn't particularly over the moon about either, but that trip is what got me back into theatre and eventually led me to a career. You just never know! (And honestly, I think Next to Normal is more atypical as far as the traditional musical form than In the Heights is.)

[legally_popular]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:44pm

I highly recommend it too. It's an amazing experience. I had some reservations as well before seeing it. I am a white, nerdy, suburban chick too and although I had heard many good things about it and it won the Tony, I still didn't think I would love it as much as I did. I don't even listen to rap or hip-hop music, but now I listen to this cast recording ALL the time. I am not a Latina myself, but I really related to the story and certain characters especially.

Creatively and technically speaking it is truly a beautiful show. The choreography is awesome and the lighting is gorgeous (you will have a great view from the last row and be able to take everything in). The book is not the greatest, but the music is amazing. I fell in love with this show and I hope you enjoy it as well!

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 4:59pm

You should have no problem understanding the Spanish. They say what everything means except for things that are obvious like "attencion" meaning "attention". For everything else, they literally state what it means in English. And with the rap music, it isn't like popular R&B with heavy beats where they just talk with rhythm. I would hardly call the score rap. I would classify it with a Latin sound more than anything. You will not have a hard time at all understanding anything, even if you were to miss the entire first act. It's that easy to follow.

[dented146]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 5:13pm

My wife loved it.
Updated On: 9/22/09 at 05:13 PM

[dented146]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 5:13pm

Updated On: 9/22/09 at 05:13 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 5:31pm

How can it be 200 bucks for one show and a bus ride? Especially if you have cheap seats??? We go for an entire weekend...see THREE b'way shows, an improv troup, take classes, have several included meals together -- and more, and we pay UNDER 600 bucks. We are five hours away. (And another teacher got quoted 200 bucks for Hamlet....which isn't offering discounts!)

BUT....ITH is a sweet show. It is terribly predictable and Act I drags a little. But you should have a great time, the music is pretty lively and the dancing is lots of fun. While I wouldn't see it a second time by my own choosing, I doubt you will be disappointed. It really isn't a hispanic story specifically, but one of immigrants more generally and very specifically about living the Dream.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 5:35pm

To be a dissonant voice, I saw the full OBC about a month after the Tonys...and it was easily my least favorite show of the trip. The first act isn't terrible, it has the best songs. Act II was (IMO) dreck.

You could not drag me back unless Kelly Bishop, Daphne-Ruben Vega and LaChanze went into the show.