The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread

[Theater_Nerd]

broadwayboy223 said: "I hope they go with people who can actually SING. Daniela is such a great part and requires powerhouse vocals for Carnival 

 

I agree. They need to bring in someone who can do that song justice. With all due respect to LMM I don't know what he was thinking when he offered Sofia Vergara the part. I guess maybe he was thinking, she's Latin, curvy, sexy and popular so let's give it to her and work around that. 

I personally think it would be a mistake for her to do it unless of course it turns out she has the pipes to carry it off. 

It's one of the highlights for me in the show I would really hate for a lackluster version of it to be committed to film just because they wanted to cast "a name" in the role. 

[Sertzo19]

I've always thought Gloria Estefan would make the PERFECT Abuela Claudia. She has already acted in Wes Craven's Music of the Heart back in the day and she wasn't terrible and Paciencia Y Fe is right up her alley. I'm ready to start a petition for this casting. Would she be considered too young to play that part? 

[Theater_Nerd]

Hi Sertzo19!

I believe I read somewhere that Abuela Claudia is supposed to be in her late 60's. Gloria Estefan is 59 years old, but I don't really see this as a problem as they could age her with makeup and lighting. 

I actually think that your suggestion is one of the most inspired ones. I can really see her doing the part, and you are right...the song, "Paciencia y Fe" is right up her alley. She would do wonders with it. 

I can't see Rita Moreno or Chita Rivera doing justice to that song at all as both of their vocal ranges are extremely limited, Rivera's more than Moreno's.

[snl89]

"I hope they go with people who can actually SING. Daniela is such a great part and requires powerhouse vocals for Carnival "

In general I'm always very much an "acting chops are more important than straight singing chops" kind of person, but I will say that for Daniela, my dream would be for Sara Ramirez to play her because Sara absolutely KILLING Carnaval del Barrio would be way too heavenly *___* 

[whatacharacter]

Theater_Nerd said: "rjm516 said: "A white Benny would be total b.s.

I totally agree. whatacharacter was the one who suggested Chord Overstreet as "Benny" in his dream cast list. I was baffled. Sometimes when board members dream cast I feel as if they're just throwing names out there like wet paper to a wall to see what will stick. 

 I have seen the show 3 times and never noticed any mention of Benny's race, other than he doesn't speak spanish.  I grew up near Washington Heights and while it was predominantly hispanic, there were white, black, asian, indian, etc.  Benny is an outsider from Nina's cultural world.  I don't think that can be defined to a single race. 

 

"

 

[Rainah]

whatacharacter said: 
 I have seen the show 3 times and never noticed any mention of Benny's race, other than he doesn't speak spanish.  I grew up near Washington Heights and while it was predominantly hispanic, there were white, black, asian, indian, etc.  Benny is an outsider from Nina's cultural world.  I don't think that can be defined to a single race. "

I remember Benny's race being specified only as "Not Latino" in the script/character breakdown. So while technically he can be played by a white guy, I think it would do a disservice to the undertones of his character - so much of Benny's character is about Respectability and his desire to be successful/accepted, I think it's more powerful if he is also poc but still an outsider in the community. 

[darquegk]

That's an interesting take. I knew he was "not Latino," but I assumed he was always black because the first guy was black and it just sort of sets a casting/costuming precedent, like Fuzzy Bikini Girl in RENT is almost always Asian because the first one was Asian.

[hork]

darquegk said: "That's an interesting take. I knew he was "not Latino," but I assumed he was always black because the first guy was black and it just sort of sets a casting/costuming precedent, like Fuzzy Bikini Girl in RENT is almost always Asian because the first one was Asian.


That's what I thought, as well. You could also say that about most of the cast of Rent.

[Mr. Nowack]

Collins was supposedly written as white but they cast Jesse L. Martin and ever since he's pretty much always been black (that I've seen).

I think it would be cool to see another race Benny. 

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Naya Rivera would make a great Vanessa - I know she hasn't worked much since "Glee" but she is so freaking talented!

[Mister Matt]

Collins was supposedly written as white but they cast Jesse L. Martin and ever since he's pretty much always been black (that I've seen).

I think it would be cool to see another race Benny. 

The last tour I saw had a white Collins, but that was a long time ago.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Things are happening!

http://www.playbill.com/article/jay-z-will-be-among-producers-of-lin-manuel-mirandas-in-the-heights-film

[Rainah]

Yes, Benny is Not Latino POC
While Black is traditional, an Asian or Middle Eastern Benny would be inspired. Or even First Nations. As long as they don't cast a white guy

[Call_me_jorge]

I smell Beyoncé. 

[ljay889]

For who? She is far too old for Nina and Vanessa should be a sassy and sexy Latina. 

[Hamilfan2]

What about Auli'I Cravahlo as Nina?

[thebookofwhizzer]

Auli'l is a little young but I think Naya Rivera would be amazing as Vanessa and Gloria Estefan as Abuela Claudia!!

[bwaylyric]

Call_me_jorge said: "I smell Beyoncé. 

 

"

Beyonce as Daniela? No me diga!

[Rainah]

ljay889 said: "For who? She is far too old for Nina and Vanessa should be a sassy and sexy Latina. "

For Benny, clearly!

[Valentina3]

thebookofwhizzer said: "Auli'l is a little young but I think Naya Rivera would be amazing as Vanessa and Gloria Estefan as Abuela Claudia!!"

I like that. America Ferrera could be a good Nina, don't know if anyone's suggested her yet. Sonny = Jordan Fisher, yes?

I do think all these stars are more likely to do a lower budget movie because they don't have that much clout at movie box office. But there's a serious dearth of POC who can sing, act, and dance, who also have box office appeal.

 

I do hope they keep Ariana Grande really really far from it.

[thebookofwhizzer]

Valentina3 said: "thebookofwhizzer said: "Auli'l is a little young but I think Naya Rivera would be amazing as Vanessa and Gloria Estefan as Abuela Claudia!!"

I like that. America Ferrera could be a good Nina, don't know if anyone's suggested her yet. Sonny = Jordan Fisher, yes?

I do think all these stars are more likely to do a lower budget movie because they don't have that much clout at movie box office. But there's a serious dearth of POC who can sing, act, and dance, who also have box office appeal.

 

I do hope they keep Ariana Grande really really far from it.

 

"

I completely agree with everything!! Also I heard some news about Jordan Fisher being in it but I forgot if they said he was being considered for Sonny or Usnavi.

[BrodyFosse123]

Last week Lin stated that he'd like Jordan Fisher for Benny so I think we can all assume this is a done deal. 

“There’s certainly some incredible young Latino talent that were still babies when we were opening off-Broadway. But I hadn’t thought about it,” he told HuffPo. “I think Jordan Fisher would be a pretty good Benny. He’s playing Laurens for me on Broadway, and he’s a super-talented young man.”

[Valentina3]

I missed the Jay Z producing article :o

I'm ready to cast my Daniela vote to Rihanna now.

[thebookofwhizzer]

Ohhhhh it was benny! Haha

[hork]

Valentina3 said: "I missed the Jay Z producing article :o

I'm ready to cast my Daniela vote to Rihanna now.

 

Why? She's not even Latina, and is also kind of young for Daniela.