My thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS (long and brimming with spoilers)- Page 2

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 2/17/08 at 2:34pm

yeah, in regards to the Cry-Baby demo, it is just really bad. i really hope they make a lot of changes when they are in NY.

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 2/17/08 at 2:38pm

so sorry to ask this but what was the running time? I have to be somewhere after the show and was just curious.

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 2/17/08 at 2:41pm

2 1/2 hours. i was out by 10:30pm yesterday.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 2/17/08 at 3:30pm

Yeah, I really hope changes were/are made to Cry-Baby. The demo is just dreadful.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/17/08 at 11:12pm

Tonight's show ran 2.5--- posted review on another thread. REALLY enjoyed it !!!

[Actorman112]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 4:52am

The reason (that i thought) for the Rosarios not to approve of Benny was because he was Dominican and the Rosarios are Puerto Rican. They actually say that during the show.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:54am

i, too, felt that the ending was MUCH too abrupt. i thought if they were going to end it on that note, they should've at least danced us out after everyone came out for a bow.

you need to feel that wonderful choreography and vibe once the show is done. and the way it ends now, you don't at all. i didn't have as much of a problem with the book as everyone else did but i believe a lot of this relies on the fact that i wouldn't begin to know how to tell the story of SO many characters in any shape or form. there CLEARLY is a story here (albeit a simple one) as so many people in the audience were clapping in recognition to everyone spoken.

i DEFINITELY say this is going to win Best Musical this year.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:54am

Yes, they did... but there was also just a general feeling of "this is our baby-girl, and no man would be good enough"-

At least that is what I felt.

[stuckinthemiddle]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 12:45pm

Ok. My two cents on the Benny thing (and this is only because I live it)... I am CERTAIN that it's because he's not hispanic enough for them. I suffer the same thing. Raised completely in the states, I had no desire to learn Spanish and my parents didn't enforce it with me, so now, I get a lot of funny looks from hispanics I meet at my retail gig who walk up to me and start speaking spanish because I "look" like I should speak Spanish. I've even had people get mad and leave when they realize I don't understand them. It's unreal. Also - I have been through the rejection by a boyfriend's family for exactly that reason.

It's 100% true they should make their point more clear in the show, though. It's making me sad to hear that the book hasn't improved from the off-b'way production.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 12:53pm

Is there a show curtain?

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 1:23pm

I dont know, but was I the only one that thought of "Selena" during that scene??

And I do agree... they need to make it clearer. As a father of a little girl, I can tell you that I dont think anyone will ever be good enough for her. Thats just the way many parents are.

I think that is why is affected us both differently. You live it, because of your upbringing, and I am going to live it, raising a daughter. Makes for great conversation !! :))

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 1:28pm

There is a curtain that comes down at the end of act 1. Its kind of bland- blue. For act 1, the set is exposed when the audience enters.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 1:46pm

<< they should've at least danced us out after everyone came out for a bow.

>>

Totally agree !!! I was waiting for that, and it didnt happen. That is one thing I have a feeling that they change/add, prior to the opening. Going back Thurs... cant wait !

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 11:52pm

LOVED it. I, on a whim, decided to do the lotto and won! Despite its flaws it was amazing!!!

Everything about it, save for the book, were just fantastic.
Janet Decal, Andrea Burns and Robin were hysterical and I hope at least a couple of them get Tony nods.

Olga Merediz was also amazing as was Lin-Manuel Miranda.
It was a blast!
Updated On: 2/22/08 at 11:52 PM

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 12:31am

I too saw the show. I saw it last night. I agree with much of what you say. The ending is very abrupt. However, I still think it's score, characters, simple plot and choreography make this a wonderful, new and original musical. I don't think Broadway has ever seen something like this. It's not like Rent or SA (no offense, both are wonderful shows!)...it has a very simple story about love, family and home. The music is very intense and there really aren't too many dull moments. I agree, some of the dialogue is a little too "basic"...but still...I had a wonderful time (as did everyone else in the audience). I saw the producer sitting a few rows next to me. He was taking notes, so I'm sure they are working on it. This show is going to be the sleeper hit.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 7:57am

Hi Obsessed !!! Glad you guys liked it (hey bwayguy!)

I overheard some of the creative team talking the other day as people were leaving. I have no doubt there will be some changes, and I am guessing with the ending. Either fireworks again, OR.. really want to see them reprise "96,000" !!!!

As far as it being a hit-- totally agree. I think they have a MAJOR hit on the hands !!

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 1:03pm

Hey Testing!!

The cast recording will be shipped out in May if you pre-order the CD from the theatre. If not they said you will get it in July.

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 5:45pm

I didn't want to start a completely new topic but here.

http://tinyurl.com/34cb9w

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 5:56pm

I love that second photo where all you see is the guy's head popping up out of the pit, looking at Mandy and Alex. It amuses me for some reason.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 9:24pm

I caught the matinee today and loved it. The book does need some tightening, but they're off to a very good start and it sounds like changes are going to be made. I thought the show was pretty excellent, and agree that it's going to be a hit. Engrave the choreography Tony now, too.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/24/08 at 1:18am

<< I caught the matinee today and loved it. The book does need some tightening, but they're off to a very good start and it sounds like changes are going to be made. I thought the show was pretty excellent, and agree that it's going to be a hit. Engrave the choreography Tony now, too.
>>

Could not agree more !!! :))

[Anakela]

Posted: 2/24/08 at 1:28am

I was at Heights last weekend, and again this weekend (don't judge) and I am wondering, for anyone else who may have seen both versions, what are people's thoughts on the way they have changed Nina's number "Everything I Know," where now instead of it being her number, Usnavi is sitting next to her through most of it? This has been my favorite number since back in the 37 Arts days, and, I don't know, there was something in, when I was watching the matinee today, in Usnavi being there during that number that I just wasn't digging. I understand why he's there, but I thought the number was more powerful when it was just Nina.

(AND I didn't like the change from "spare some of her recipes" to "spare some of her photos" before this number either- I just thought recipes tied in so perfectly to the very first Nina/Abuela interaction that we see wayback in Act I.)

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 2/24/08 at 1:36am

Great article, thank you.

Usnavi's there during "Everything I Know," now? That's strange...

[casualtyofLoVe]

Posted: 2/24/08 at 1:47am

"Everything I Know" has always been one of my favorite songs too. I liked it a lot off broadway, but when I heard the demo version I loved it so much more. When i saw the show on the 17th, it was just Nina singing and it was very similar to the demo version and I loved it! I thought it sounded so much better than it did off broadway and it even made me cry. When i went back a few days later they had changed it back to Usnavi sitting with Nina and they changed all of the verses around. I didn't like it as much the second way. I mean I love the show so much one song won't really make that much of a difference, but I really hope they change it back to the way it was on the 17th.

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 2/24/08 at 1:50am

i agree with you anakela in both of your comments. i believe that is was more powerful and provoking when it was just Nina. It just felt like her "goodbye" to Abuela Claudia. It comes from her heart. with usnavi there, it just seems like she can't say all she wants to say because usnavi is there. i dunno, just my thoughts.

i also think that they should change the sentence before the song back to "spare some of her recipes". it does tie it back again to whhen Nina and Abuela shared that little something. it is like somehow it came in ful circle.