Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#1Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:08pm
Returned to IN THE HEIGHTS last night with a friend who hadn't seen the show. Friend was excited to see Jordin Sparks, was saddened to learn that she was out (and had been out for the matinee, after, allegedly, experiencing vocal problems during Broadway on Broadway).
As far as I've heard, Sparks so far has been out more than she's been in. Is she another one falling victm to the 8-show grind?
That said, the show is in better shape than it was when I revisited a few months ago, though still just as slow-moving. Jon Rua is an affable Usnavi (he's the understudy for Kyle Beltran) and far better than Corbin Bleu, though not as good, obviously, as Lin-Manuel Miranda, Shaun Taylor-Corbett is a strong Sonny, and Clifton Oliver and Gabrielle Ruiz were delightful as Benny and Nina. For once, I 'got' why Nina's father doesn't like Benny.
The stalworts - Olga Merediz, Andrea Burns, Priscilla Lopez and Eliseo Roman - are just as good as they were last year, and the year before that, and the year before that.
My friend and I, in the end, agreed that we couldn't imagine Sparks as Nina. I'm interested in hearing what people who have seen her thought.
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#2Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:12pm
The stalworts - Olga Merediz, Andrea Burns, Priscilla Lopez and Eliseo Roman - are just as good as they were last year, and the year before that, and the year before that.
Andrea Burns left the show months ago -- Bianca Marroquin now plays Daniela.
#2Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:13pm
"For once, I 'got' why Nina's father doesn't like Benny."
I'm curious. Just what was it you 'got'?
Faced with these Loreleis, what man can moralize!
#3Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:14pm
random question, and yes I'm going to be this person: do you have a pic of your Playbill? I'd heard that they'd changed it so that only Sparks is on the cover, a la the Corbin cover of months ago?
Bianca Marroquin was the summer Daniela, Burns should be back by now.
#4Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:14pmAndrea returned to the show. This is the second time she took the summer off
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#5Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:14pm
Brody - Tell that to the Playbill editors, and the person in charge of the cast board, and Andrea Burns who was on stage last night.
Mallardo - It's a racial thing. I never really felt that angle came across with Chris Jackson in the role.
ETA - Don't have a photo of the Playbill cover, but it is the promotional photo of Sparks that's in all of the advertisments. She also gets top billing on the title page.
Updated On: 9/13/10 at 03:14 PM
#6Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:16pmOkay. I always assumed it was Benny's race.
Faced with these Loreleis, what man can moralize!
#7Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:16pm
Sparks was injured some time during her first week in the show (don't remember the exact date). She was out for a few days, and has been missing scattered performances since.
I have seen her Nina twice, and am not a fan. She sings it fine, but the acting is shaky at best. She was often either very whiny and dull, or very hyper and speeding through the scenes. Her best scene is Everything I Know, which (seemingly coming out of nowhere based on the rest of her performance) is very well acted and rather touching. Overall though, I was not impressed. I think she could improve, but we'll see.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#8Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:17pm
Andrea is a f***ing lying sack of s**t!
I saw her at Starbucks about a week ago and she said she was done forever with IN THE HEIGHTS when I asked if she would be returning to the show.
#9Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:20pm
Andrea is a f***ing lying sack of s**t!
I saw her at Starbucks about a week ago and she said she was done forever with IN THE HEIGHTS when I asked if she would be returning to the show.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I'm sorry. She returned nearly a month later than originally planned, but she is, in fact, back in the cast.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
#10Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:21pm
Sorry to double post...here is the playbill cover.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
#11Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:32pmUgh, I really want to catch Rua's Usnavi.
#12Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:52pm
I saw the show Saturday night. Andrea was on as Daniela (and incredible as ever). Jordin was also in and had no vocal problems that I could pick up on, however she did not come out at stage door (it was announced she wasnt feeling well). The cast was particularly on fire that night, no one was out, and the energy was high. I even enjoyed Marcy that night.
I think Jordin does a solid job, though she chooses to sing a lot of the score very soft and breathy - not the powerhouse that Mandy was. She does have her brief moments of vocal power, though. I saw the Memphis matinee, and Jordin is a better actress than Montego (though based on people's thoughts of Montego, I'm not sure that is saying much)
Updated On: 9/13/10 at 03:52 PM
Pianist3912
Leading Actor Joined: 7/12/07
#13Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 4:25pm
I can't imagine Rua's Usnavi being better than Corbin's, or even great for that matter, based on how he does as Graffiti Pete. But I also loved Corbin.
Having seen Mandy, Janet, Jordin, and both of the current understudies, Jordin's Nina singing-wise, is for sure the most powerful. In those moments where she lets loose, her voice fills the theatre like none of her predecessors could.
That said, her acting needs major work. She looks uncomfortable/awkward on stage for most of the show, fidgets a lot, and doesn't seem to naturally be able to "react" yet. She has grown from her first week, however. I'm hoping she eventually will get it. I'm sad to hear she was out both shows yesterday; she's missed a lot. She was out from a Sat. evening to a Thursday the other week.
In regards to the rest of the new cast, Clifton's great, though his voice has been sounding more and more tired as time progresses. I absolutely LOVE Shaun Taylor-Corbett. Kyle is also great; a very unique performance I think. Priscilla Lopez, bless her, is on autopilot every night. I love seeing her understudy Blanca go on.
#14Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 4:48pmI have some serious doubts whether or not Jordan had vocal problems. I was offered these Sunday tickets on Wednesday. The producers knew she wasn't going to be there Sunday and Monday way in advance of Broadway on Broadway. The whole thing is just strange. Maybe they are not happy with Jordan and are making up things to keep her out of the show. Something is not right.
#15Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 4:54pm
Jon Rua is actually a great Usnavi.
In addition, someone was talking about how the show is not in bad shape and Marcy, and I agree. I went to Chris Jackson's last show and she actually was a highlight for me, even though I did not like her the first time around.
dave1606
Broadway Star Joined: 12/8/07
#16Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 4:57pmSo just to clarify, Jordin will not be in for tonight? I am seeing the show and was wondering if I will see here. (I will be going regardless, just curious.)
#17Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 5:09pm
I wouldn't swear to it....but I don't think so. Inserts for the Playbills were made for Sunday's show, usually one or two cast changes are with a little slip of paper, this was the full size of a Playbill. Let us know.
I also read that Jordin was bit by a pit bull in the park yesterday. Did anyone see this? Link below
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/sparks-suffers-pitbull-bite_1165354
Updated On: 9/13/10 at 05:09 PM
#18Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 5:14pmBrodyFosse, maybe Andrea was playing with you when she said she was through with ITH forever.
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#19Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 5:24pm
BrodyFosse, maybe Andrea was playing with you when she said she was through with ITH forever.
Obviously.
Her response actually was: "... its been good to me for several years but time to move on."
#20Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 5:25pmEverything BrodyFosse writes should be taken with a grain of salt.
LondonNow
Swing Joined: 5/17/10
#21Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 5:30pm
For what it's worth, Heights always has a full, Playbill-sized insert with the full cast for that particular performance. I've never seen the small slip inserts there, and I've been many, many a time.
I was at the show last Monday night. Since I didn't go to see Jordin, I wasn't disappointed that she was out. In fact, I was very happy to get to see Courtney go on as Nina, and she did a wonderful job. She's a fantastic Vanessa too- caught her in that role back in July. Marcy though was having a good night, and I enjoyed her performance. I loved Kyle's Usnavi, and it was fabulous having Andrea back on the stage. I like Clifton, even though I miss Chris Jackson quite a lot. Everyone seemed to be on fire- lots of energy- and the theatre was full too (the orchestra section was at least- I couldn't see up in the mezzanine).
I did see Jordin at Broadway on Broadway, and I thought she sounded fine. I'm sorry that so many people who were hoping to see her in the show have been disappointed thus far.
It seems like much of the original cast was at Lin-Manuel Miranda's wedding on the 5th. The NY Times article has a short video from the ceremony and reception, and I spotted Karen, Mandy, Olga, Priscilla, Janet, Andrea (and her adorable little boy, dancing up a storm).
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#22Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 5:30pm
Everything BrodyFosse writes should be taken with a grain of salt.
Most definitely... and then some. 
#23Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 5:35pm
^ They already have the people in the theatre is this really needed?
#24Some thoughts on IN THE HEIGHTS
Posted: 9/13/10 at 7:11pmI'm curious how old Shaun Taylor-Corbett comes across in the show as Sonny. I don't know how old he is in real life, but I saw him in a different production and he seemed like he was in his early 30's. He is a good actor so can probably play Sonny in an age-appropriate way, but I would wonder if he comes across as older than Jordin Sparks or whoever is playing Usnavi (Jon Rua or Kyle Beltran).
"What was the name of that cheese that I like?"
"you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start"
"well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"
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