In The Heights
Ranked #11,605 in Entertainment, #128,879 overall
In The Heights - 2008 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical
With those simple words rapping in the background my attention was drawn away from my computer and I was hooked to the T.V.
I was watching the Tony's when I kinda got bored and went to my computer to, well, mess around. I had almost lost complete touch with the tony's, other than the once in a while turn of the head to see what was on, when Usnvavi opened his scene. I heard Hip Hop and it was on a broadway musical.I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I immediately picked up my phone and text my best friend Nicole: "Are you watching this?". She replied with a big "Yes!". Needless to say I watched the rest of the scene and was even more captivated when I heard spanish being spoken and sung. I couldn't believe it. I immediately went on-line to find out all I could. I went and got the CD a few days later and have been listening to it ever since.
The music is awesome. The characters are well rounded and human. The story (from what I can tell from the CD) is well written. And I haven't even seen the show yet (*UPDATE* I have seen the show! Read my review below!)
Oh and did I mention it won 4 Tony's including Best Musical? Alabanza!
Review of "In The Heights"
Follow Nina Rosario on Twitter!!
Check out the cast of the tour!
Starring
Original Broadway cast
Lin-Manuel Miranda, UsnaviAndréa Burns, Daniela
Janet Dacal, Carla
Robin De Jesús, Sonny
Carlos Gomez, Kevin
Mandy Gonzalez, Nina
Christopher Jackson, Benny
Priscilla Lopez, Camila
Olga Merediz, Abuela Claudia
Karen Olivo, Vanessa
Seth Stewart, Graffiti Pete

The cast on stage
My Review
In The Heights
In The Heights follows a predominately latino barrio for a few days in the Washington Hieghts district of New York. It's the story of Usnavi who is looking to go back to his roots in the Dominican Republic while also taking care of both his Bodega and his younger cousin Sonny. Usnavi is also in love with Vanessa but doesn't quite know how to tell her. The story also follows Vannessa (she wants to leave the Barrio), Benny (has high hopes of owning his own business and winning the heart of Nina), Nina (returning from failed stint at Stanford after being one of the few to get out of the Barrio), Kevin and Camila (The parents of Nina who struggle with what is right for thier daughter), and Abuela Claudia (the patriarch of the block who everyone respects and loves). One of the themes of the play is 'home'. And what it means to each character.
The play starts with Usnavi introducing himself and all the main characters in a opening Hip Hop number that sets the tone for the rest of the night. You know your in for a treat. And it never let's up. With a mixture of Hip Hop, Latin music, and Broadway tunes it makes you want dance in your seat. The story itself flows and is easy to follow. It pulls you in and doesn't let go till the very end. The characters are all engaging and believable.
One of my favorite parts was when Abuela Claudia breaks out into her first musical number "Paciencia Y Fe". Prior to this number Abuela seems frail and forgetful, then all of the sudden the spotlight hits her and she belts out "CALOR!". Surprising anyone not familiar with the songs. The musical actually has a lot of strong female characters. Nina is very independent and very bright. Camila comes on strong in the second act putting Kevin in his place. Vanessa wants nothing more than to get out of the barrio on her own.
I'm so glad we went to go see it with most of the original cast (Karen Olivo left in October). Usnavi, Benny, and Nina were awesome and I can't imagine anyone else playing them and being that good. The character of Usnavi is probably one of the most likable characters you'll see on stage anywhere.
I can't really put into words how much I enjoyed this musical. We ended up going to see it twice. And I wish I could have seen it again. From Usnavi to Benny to Nina to the Piragua guy to Sonny to Graffiti Pete it was all good. I can't wait for the show to go on tour and come here to L.A. I guess the best way to show how good the show was is to tell you this. As the first number ended my friend tells me "feel my arm, I have goosebumps." She said the same thing at the end of the show.
Pics from my trip:
Clips of "In The Heights", "The Club", and "96,000"
Amazon Spotlight
In The Heights (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Amazon Price: $11.96 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
"USNAVI:
But as for manana, mi pana
Ya gotta keep watchin
You'll see the late night
You'll taste beans and rice
The syrups and shaved ice,
I ain't gotta say it twice
So turn up the stage lights
We're takin a flight
To a couple days
In the life of what it's like
ALL
En Washington Heights!"
This Music is amazing. A little bit hip hop, a little spanish flavor, a little of Broadway in the mix and you got In The Heights. An amazing album that I can't stop listening to.
In The Heights Lyrics!
Click below to check them out
In The Heights Lyrics Home PageIn The Heights
Breathe
Benny's Dispatch
It Won't Be Long Now
Inutil
MORE TO COME! CHECK BACK OFTEN!
The Tony Awards performance
Lights up on Washington Heights!
Get your T-shirt
Poll
Lin-Manuel Miranda talking about his influences
Phantom and Rent
In The Heights on The View
T.V. Commercial
Show Some Love
For In The Heights
This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.
Benny's Dispatch
In The Heights Song Book
Musical Montage
Did You Like It?
When Your Home and It Wont Be Long Now
Lyrics from Carnaval del Barrio
"Maybe you're right, Sonny
Call in the coroners
Maybe we're powerless, a corner full of foreigners
Maybe this neighborhood's changing forever
Maybe tonight is our last night together, however
How do you wanna face it?
Do you wanna waste it, when the end is so close you can taste it?
Y'all could cry with your head in the sand
I'm a fly this flag that I got in my hand"
Sign the guestbook!
Let me know what you think or just say hi!
-
Reply
-
KimGiancaterino Feb 22, 2011 @ 11:19 pm | delete
- Wow ... your passion really shines through. Blessed by an Entertainment > Performing Arts Squid Angel.
-
-
Reply
-
MarcoG
Sep 22, 2008 @ 6:32 pm | delete
- Thanks for joining the theatricality group :) Nice lens
-
10 Year Old
by kidgrifter
Hi! Enjoy! more »
- 71 featured lenses
- Winner of 13 trophies!
- Top lens » The Guide to Guy Cookbooks





























