Passing Strange - The author (Stew) actually experienced his story, albeit with a few with slight exaggerations.
In the Heights - Lin Manuel grew up in a well off family, went to private college, and didn't technically live in Wash Heights, this story is mostly fiction based on cliches.
Yeah, and Lin-Manuel Miranda has more talent in his left pinky than you'll find in the entirety of the writers of a show that falls back on literally sitting there and TELLING YOU how good it is.
Lin gives an amazing performance and In the Heights is a fun show that will do well because of its SUPER TALENTED CAST, FIERCE CHOREOGRAPHY, AND OVERALL JUST BEING A FRIVILOUS FUN HIGH ENERGY SHOW that makes you forget it has no real stakes, or conflict in the book that seems it was written by a 4th grader. Thats where the problem in the show is!
Passing Strange is food that feeds the soul, and In The Heights is like Cake! In life you need both! So hopefully they can both have the long successful runs!
Lin gives an amazing performance and In the Heights is a fun show that will do well because of its SUPER TALENTED CAST, FIERCE CHOREOGRAPHY, AND OVERALL JUST BEING A FRIVILOUS FUN HIGH ENERGY SHOW that makes you forget it has no real stakes, or conflict in the book that seems it was written by a 4th grader. Thats where the problem in the show is!
Passing Strange is food that feeds the soul, and In The Heights is like Cake! In life you need both! So hopefully they can both have the long successful runs!
First off, i have seen both shows. Passing Strange twice actually.
I don't think they are totally different shows, as they both have similar themes of discovering what is real and where "home" is, which is with your family. The difference is Passing Strange tells the story in a real, authentic way, whereas ITH uses writers from ABC Family to write it. I've said it before, ITH is no West Side Story. You actually "feel" when watching it, watching ITH and following the cliched story made me want to throw up.
Right, the debacle at the Belasco which received the best reviews of a musical this year.
As a musical theatre fan, especially of original work, I would like both to succeed, I just want to point out the strengths of Passing Strange, so that hopefully more people will see it and keep it going.
Its like comparing Apples to Oranges... I like both and I cannot really compare my experiences between the two!
Though I would say something about Manuel Lin Miranda's character, though he might not experience it...but there's tons of Usnavis...living everyday in the United States.
Its every immigrant story! my parents are immigrants to this country and they are Asian-Americans (Filipinos) and I can even relate to Usnavi's character. It has that universal theme of living in USA, trying to make some money here, but ultimately go home to where you belong...it was "authentic" to me.
its more universal than just every immigrant story. I can relate and im born and raised in this country. It works for anyone whos every left home for somewhere far away or different from where they grew up.
Well, to be fair, "Passing Strange," in a way, is also about a person leaving their home for somewhere far away, or different from where they grew up. Maybe for a different reason, but still.
Yeah, and Lin-Manuel Miranda has more talent in his left pinky than you'll find in the entirety of the writers of a show that falls back on literally sitting there and TELLING YOU how good it is.
Not once did anyone in the cast of Passing Strange do that.
I would not call PS a "sinking" show, Liverpool. I work there and the excellent word of mouth is gradually spreading. The house was jam packed tonight, and people LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the show, young AND old. What's with the negative comparisons---I thought you people on BWW LOVE the theater? PS is only playing 4 weeks--let's give ALL the new shows a chance...it's not like Mr. & Mrs. Suburbia and their children make IMMEDIATE plans to go to a show the next day. Let the marketing of PS's reviews and word of mouth build.... Again, I echo Mr. Jaystarr, BenKaye,etc. -- this is one rockin, funny, acerbic, self parodying musical. 26.00 -54.00 (discounts online) for Orch. Who WOULDN'T want to go??
As far as Stew standing there and telling you the story...he's not telling you, he's providing INSIGHT, something that In the Heights does not do at all. And I didn't really find ITH all that fun either. Certainly better than this fall's new musicals, but by NO means a memorable evening in the theater for me.
Also, Usnavi narrates parts of ITH as well...and really doesn't add anything to it by doing so.
Right, the debacle at the Belasco which received the best reviews of a musical this year.
Which is meaningless when it comes to personal opinion. Spring Awakening got excellent reviews last season and I was supremely disappointed.
And since when does "authenticity" dictate the quality of a musical? You say In the Heights is no West Side Story, yet other than its use of vernaular, West Side Story was not especially authentic either. I don't remember reading about Bernstein being a gang member in the 50s. Nor have I been led to believe he is Hispanic. And since the story was based on Shakespeare, I doubt he's old enough to have ever been a Montague or a Capulet nor lived in Verona in the 16th century. The Light in the Piazza was considered an artistic triumph of its season and how "authentic" do you believe it to be? Or most musicals for that matter?
Honestly, I don't understand how authenticity would be used to judge two completely different musicals unless they happen to attempt to tell the exact same story and be historical in nature. Otherwise, the point is moot.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian