rOcKS @ 'In The Heights' (with some spoilers)- Page 2

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 7:38pm

<< Testing, I'm not saying it out of an attempt to trash the book, I'm saying it because I legitimately don't remember it.

And on 1 viewing (yes, some people can only see thigns once), not every single lyric of every single song will register. Unfortunately, it seems the most important one didn't. The way I saw it, he sees the mural, decides to stay, everyone else be damned, and then it ends. >>

I believe you when you say that you dont remember it. I just think equating having the storefront "graffiti-ed" with being some horrific event ( and subsequently deciding to stay in NY) is missing the point.


<< I will point out that I'm not the only one who has major problems with the book. >>

That might be true (I have said that the book is not perfect several times), but my guess is that you will be one of the people that will post on just about very "ITH" thread that you think the book sucks.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 7:41pm

I didn't equate it with it being a horrific event. I said I don't see how a mural of someone can inspire a person not to leave. If, perhaps, he had a way of seeing how much he meant to everyone, then I would buy the ending. I seem to remember the only one who gets pissed that he's leaving is Robin de Jesus (forgive: I don't remember the character's name).

I've posted just as much positive as I have negative. I've said I don't hate the piece. What I hate is all the potential that isn't fully realized.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 7:46pm

Testing-

Strongest in way...the strongest contender to get a lot of Tony nods...and win it too!

yup- you are right.. when I saw the show at 37 Arts.. I did not fully 100 like it ...

Meaning- I have problems with the book and somehow they really did not explain as to what happen to Nina & Usnavi at the end...did they get together?? and book - exactly what Yankeefan perfectly pointed out- I completely agree with things he did not like about the show...I felt the book was a little loose too but again.. I saw it on Off-Broadway and things might have change...but judging on what I read.. still follow the basic storyline & subplots...

Things I like everything you guys like.

and rocks said something about Abuela's graffitti. when I saw it on Off-Brodway .. her graffitti wa skinda funny.. meaning her mouth was even open and does not even look like Olga...

I did have problem with Manuel Lin- Miranda as an actor...when I saw it.. i like everything about him but his acting wa snot really a standout for me...
His buddy was really the stand-out...

Well.. If I see the show again.. I will definitely have a different prespective.. I am sure...

J*

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 7:48pm

Yankee,

Who implied that you were "crazy"? - I certainly didnt. You voiced your opinion. If you want to post show review links from ATC, how about we use the ones from "Passing Strange" as examples? 90% of the people on ATC hated it, yet, the reviews, for the most part were raves, and most find it to be brilliant.

Are you trying to justify your opinion about the book by posting an unfavorable review from someone on ATC that felt the same way? There is no need to do that. Its your opinion. Its not right or wrong.

The problem is when people take a "my way or the highway" approach.

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 7:49pm

Karen Olivo also got kind of upset that he was leaving during "Champagne" but it changed to a different emotion pretty quickly.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 7:52pm

Oh, that was a "call me crazy" kind of thing. I'm trying to justify the fact that I'm not the only one who feels that way, yes. 'Cause I've yet to see a review on one of these boards which fully agrees with what I'm saying.

As the old Ethel Merman adage goes, "I didn't like it, but everyone else stood up and cheered, so what the f*ck do I know?" (Of course, that's a bit strong, since I did enjoy much of the show.)
Updated On: 3/2/08 at 07:52 PM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 8:14pm

I hear ya, Yankee... All that I am trying to convey is the fact that if you took your personal favorite show this year (what was it, btw?), I bet you I can find a number people that thought it was horrible.

There is no need to find people that agree OR disagree with your opinion. (or mine for that matter)

We certainly share differing opinions on the book. I think it is flawed, but would not agree that it sucks.

I think one of the things that you posted on a seperate thread was the problem that you had with Nina's parents not accepting Benny. I think you said that it didnt make sense because he was hispanic. I understand that his ethnicity plays into it, but Kevin (Nina's dad) says numerous times that Benny simply is not good enough for his daughter. You see that all the time. I have a daughter, and my guess is that I will feel the same way.

Would it make it easier for Nina's parents to accept Benny had he been Latino? She is their daughter that goes to Stanford, and he works at a Car/Limo company in the Heights.

I think that has more to do with them not accepting him than his ethnic background.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 8:18pm

Chris thought he was hispanic (w/ no knowledge of the Spanish language) and I thought he was African-American and were were both arguing what race he is ..on the way home to Boston ...It was not very well explain in the book...when we saw it.

but I guess they must have S-P-E-L-L it out more clearly now - like what testing said...

Benny simply is not good enough for his daughter. You see that all the time. I have a daughter, and my guess is that I will feel the same way.


Good point!! andy.. i did not even realize it till I read your post...

J*
Updated On: 3/2/08 at 08:18 PM

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 8:21pm

I agree with Testing on that. Kevin says, at one point, "You are nowhere near her level." I thought that made it pretty clear that he felt Benny wasn't good enough for his daughter, although he does have a problem with Benny not being Latino.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 8:21pm

Passing Strange.

Let's agree to disagree.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 8:26pm

<< Benny simply is not good enough for his daughter. You see that all the time. I have a daughter, and my guess is that I will feel the same way.


Good point!! andy.. i did not even realize it till I read your post...

>>

Thanks J ! I remember growing up and my dad (R.I.P) never thought anyone was good enough for my sister. Actually, the feeling that I get from the story is that Kevin uses Benny's enthic background as an excuse because its convenient, and he just doesnt feel that ANYONE is going to be good enough for Nina.

He wants to daughter to go back to school and get her degree from Stanford. If she falls in love with Benny, she MIGHT decide to stay in the Heights, rather than finish college.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 8:26pm

Okay guys..once and for all..I know it may not be important...but

Is Benny Latino?

J*

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 8:26pm

Did anyone else have problems with the odd mood swings in the book?

The scene at dinner where Nina's father announces that he sold the limo service was supposed to be dramatic and people were roaring when Olivo said her line and left. It just didn't register to most of the audience that the entire show isn't one big laughfest...

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 8:41pm

Yes, that was a bit strange.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 9:17pm

<< Passing Strange.

Let's agree to disagree.
>>

Agreed... see, perfect example. A TON of people left "PS" at intermission. Different strokes/different folks.

Really enjoyed "PS", btw !

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 10:09pm

Would someone point out specific songs or moments that stuck out to them as great musical theater. I really went in wanting to like it but, while I found nothing (except maybe some of the forced joke) to be particularly bad, nothing stuck with me when I left the theater. I didn't feel like the plot involved me at all, nor did I find anything to take away as far as some message or deeper meaning. I agree with whoever said that the whole thing seemed kind of light and family-oriented. it kind of seemed like an ABC Family movie to me. The few times they dropped the f-bomb seemed jarring to meas the rest of it seemed so wholesome. There were a few times where I thought they were going to get into some deeper issues with the neighborhood and the culture (such as when one character said something to the effect of "are we going to just sit and complain or do something") but that scene ended and that was the end of that. Not a single one of the songs or dance numbers particularly struck me either.

What moments particularly stuck out to you guys? I feel like maybe I missed something.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 10:12pm

The scene that you mentioned (when Daniela says "Are we going to sit around and complain or do something?") is actually one of my favorite songs ("Carnaval del Barrio").

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 10:14pm

Carnaval del Barrio,96,000 and the Finale are three of my favorite songs in the show.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 10:31pm

I just love the energy of the show... It has an excellent cast, and I love the score and the choreography.

Standouts for me are "96,000", "Paciencia y Fe", and "Breathe".

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 10:31pm

Okay guys..once and for all..I know it may not be important...but

Is Benny Latino?

Benny is supposed to be Black, the actor that plays him just happens to be light-skinned. I just checked the Playbill and both the understudies for that role are Black.

[Heybeenfood]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 11:22pm

This is what the Abuela mural looks like...
https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=15739

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 3:33pm

My favorite songs were '96,000', 'Breathe', 'In The Heights', 'Pacencia y Fe', 'Carnaval de Barrio', 'When Youre Home', and 'Finale'.

I looovvveedddd the score.