In the Heights question

[ben1986]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 7:26am

What type of theatre lover would you recommend In the Heights for. I ask this because I'm debating getting tickets to it for my mother. My mom loves the classics and her favorite shows are Evita and My Fair Lady. Although when I heard that it was very hip hop infused I stopped because I'm not sure whether sure enjoy a hip hop score. Would you recommend this show for her. Right now I'm debating between ITH and Damn Yankees.

Thanks in advance for all your wisdom!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 7:30am

IN THE HEIGHTS beautifully combines traditional musical theatre music with more modern, hip-hop music.

I think it's worth taking your Mom to. It's a very enjoyable, old-fashioned type of musical, with some new styles of music integrated into the storytelling.

DAMN YANKEES is a cheap, lazy production, and you're likely to see a production as good at your local community theatre.

See the 2008 Tony Award winning Best Musical. You won't regret it.

[jagfkb]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 7:34am

Well, my mothere actually loves great, old American musicals as well, but then again, In the Heights, while using hip hop and salsa, is also similar to a great American musical, due to it's touching story and relatable characters. All in all, In the Heights is the better show.

However, if she does enjoy older musicals, why not bring her to Gypsy, South Pacific, or perhaps you could try a comedy and go to Boeing-Boeing or The 39 Steps

[once a month]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 7:38am

By all means take her! As much as I loved and was moved by both Gypsy and South Pacific, I felt that the pignancy quota in ITH won hands down. As much as I love to laugh my way through a musical comedy, I was deeply moved in Washington Heights and felt like I wanted to know all the characters even more.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 7:50am

I saw Damn Yankees on Sunday and while I wanted to love it, I was left cold (and not just by the overworking AC in City Center). It didn't feel like a "Broadway Show" to me. Just...something was missing. It's hard to put my finger on it. Maybe ~ pun not intended ~ heart? It just felt like it was missing something.

OTOH, I saw In The Heights just before the Tonys and fell absolutely in love with it. I wasn't sure about seeing it because I'm not really that into hip hop/rap/etc. but I wanted to give it a chance and finish out seeing all the nominated Best Musical shows. And I was completely drawn into the show. Like others have said, even with the oh-so-modern score, it has the feel of an old-fashioned musical in the storytelling, plot devices, etc. And I second what once a month said about wanting to know the characters even more. I definitely recommend it!! (I actually wish I knew for sure how my dad really felt about trying for Wicked lotto tickets...I'd go ahead and buy us tickets for ITH while my mom and sister see Wicked (which we already have tickets to)...I just can't tell if he WANTS to see Wicked or not, and he won't come right out and tell me)

Updated On: 7/15/08 at 07:50 AM

[Marianne2]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 7:55am

I have not seen Damn Yankees, but I loved In the Heights. The music is what makes it a unique show. The characters were also easy for me to relate to. And if you are concerned about the music of In the Heights being exactly like the trashy rap and hip hop you hear on the radio, it isn't.