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Post by talkstageytome on Jun 1, 2016 0:59:52 GMT
Second time seeing In The Heights this afternoon, first time with the 'new' cast. I loved it even more the second time round, especially since I've had a chance to properly take in the cast album now and haven't seen the show since September. Only 3 understudies on today (Vas Constanti as Kevin, Gabriella Garcia as Nina and Michael Cortez as Piragua Guy (loved his interactions with Phillipa as Daniela)), and I believe two of them have taken over in their roles full time now (so I presume Michael will be full time Piragua Guy too), although that's not reflected in the programmes and is still written on the cast board.
Sam Mackay is incredibly warm and likable as Usnavi, Joe Aaron Reid and Gabriella Garcia were great, and Gabriella and Lily were both so different in their portrayals that I didn't find myself making comparisons, which was great. I wish Camilla had more songs because 'Enough' is amazing! Vas was very good as Kevin, but I don't really remember David in the role, so couldn't compare the two either. This cast is just amazing though, I was in love with every single dancer/ensemble member by the end! And the music is brilliantly catchy, choreography is wonderful, lighting is great. I'd happily see this again tomorrow, it's got a brilliantly feel good feel! Although, as others have said, the plot is a bit thin. But really it didn't matter much when I was watching it. May take my mom and sister in the summer hols.
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Post by d'James on Jun 1, 2016 1:11:28 GMT
Has Michael ever been on as Kevin? I've seen him as Usnavi, and he's great. I just can't imagine him looking old enough alongside Josie Benson. (Not that she looks old, but it would be a bit jarring to think he had an 18 year old daughter.) Jocasta actually looked great as Camila (although as I said, her voice was a bit young-sounding) so maybe he'd be fine.
If Vas is now permanent Kevin, does anyone know if they're rehearsing new cast members at the moment? What's the description for El Piragüero? How old should he be? I think slightly older works, especially if the actor is the main understudy for Kevin.
I know what you mean about the plot but I'd rather it was a simple plot done well, than a complicated one done messily.
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Post by talkstageytome on Jun 1, 2016 1:24:17 GMT
Has Michael ever been on as Kevin? I've seen him as Usnavi, and he's great. I just can't imagine him looking old enough alongside Josie Benson. (Not that she looks old, but it would be a bit jarring to think he had an 18 year old daughter.) Jocasta actually looked great as Camila (although as I said, her voice was a bit young-sounding) so maybe he'd be fine. If Vas is now permanent Kevin, does anyone know if they're rehearsing new cast members at the moment? What's the description for El Piragüero? How old should he be? I think slightly older works, especially if the actor is the main understudy for Kevin. I know what you mean about the plot but I'd rather it was a simple plot done well, than a complicated one done messily. I saw an announcement on Twitter that Vas and Gabriella are both full time Kevin and Nina now, and they're both very good. I'd be surprised if they get new people in those roles (although they could possibly do with a few more swings). Is Michael C the Kevin understudy then? He looks about the same age as Benny and Usnavi so yes, I imagine that'd be a bit odd. I'd love to see him as Usnavi when he's on though, as he really stood out in the ensemble bits (especially in the club). I don't see any particular reason why the Piragua Guy would need to be any particular age, he seemed to hang out as if he was part of the Benny/Usnavi friendship, which made sense. And as I said, danced with Daniela at the club. Very good point about the plot. The characters are interesting and relatable, so even though not much really happens in the grand scheme of things, it's not like the show is boring or anything. |
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Post by d'James on Jun 1, 2016 1:33:55 GMT
Yeah. It's basically 24-48 hours in the life of a group of people from a small part of New York City - a pivotal 24 hours, but at the end of it, life goes on as normal.
Michael is great as Usnavi, as is Cleve. In fact I've seen so many different actors play most of the parts that whoever you see will be great (I've only seen it three times). I guess the reason I think Piragua man should be slightly older is only so he can understudy Kevin. When I saw Spin play the role, it made perfect sense.
They do definitely need more cast just so each role has at least two covers because at the moment with Kevin, there's only Michael who had some recent back trouble according to his Twitter. I'm not sure how many people there are to cover Nina but it may only be one also.
I, too, saw the Tweet about Gabriela and Vas becoming first cast but it has since disappeared (or I'm looking in the wrong place).
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Post by talkstageytome on Jun 1, 2016 1:47:36 GMT
Hmm, I can't seem to find it now, although maybe I'm looking in the wrong place too!
Planning a third trip in July / August so maybe I'll catch an Usnavi understudy then. I've loved Sam every time, but it'd be interesting to see a different take on the role.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2016 9:31:19 GMT
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Post by d'James on Jun 2, 2016 12:49:39 GMT
It'll be great. Hopefully they don't use too many names to overshadow it. I'm not sure whether Lin should be in it - I don't love him on the recording to be honest. I don't think his age is a problem really though.
As always, I'll be the first to mention live vs recorded singing. A lot of the songs would work fine if pre-recorded. However, a song like 'Enough' would sound better if sung live if you ask me.
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Post by partytentdown on Jun 2, 2016 12:53:10 GMT
So why have loads of cast members left? It's still all the original lot on the website.
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Post by Steffi on Jun 2, 2016 14:07:13 GMT
Only Lily Frazer and David Bedella have left.
Gabriela has now confirmed she has taken over as Nina. There was a tweet stating Vas has taken over as Kevin but it has been deleted. So no official confirmation yet that David is not coming back.
Rafaella Covino has joined the cast (I'm guessing to replace Gabriela in the ensemble).
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Post by ctas on Jun 2, 2016 17:24:03 GMT
There's a June 2016 cast update that has David as Kevin so I assume he is coming back in due course. Perhaps that announcement of Vas taking over was too soon which is why the tweet has been deleted. Great to see Raffaella back with the show though!
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Post by d'James on Jun 2, 2016 17:32:01 GMT
There's a June 2016 cast update that has David as Kevin so I assume he is coming back in due course. Perhaps that announcement of Vas taking over was too soon which is why the tweet has been deleted. Great to see Raffaella back with the show though! Was she part of the Southwark cast? Yeah. The last post on David's Facebook is that he still intends to return but it was a while ago. |
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Post by ctas on Jun 2, 2016 17:54:31 GMT
The updated cast list (as of today) is on the show's Facebook page. And yes, Raffaella was with the Southwark cast. She's been touring with Hairspray until recently, she's a great dancer!
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Post by partytentdown on Jun 2, 2016 22:37:10 GMT
Joe Aaron Reid (Benny) is going to play Curtis in Dreamgirls.
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840 posts
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Post by Steffi on Jun 3, 2016 6:46:29 GMT
Glad he's got the next job lined up already. Looking forward to seeing him in the show.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2016 11:35:13 GMT
Jocasta is also going to be in Dreamgirls, as Ensemble.
So if they extend In the Heights, they are gonna need to find a new Benny and Vanessa for the change.
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Post by d'James on Jun 3, 2016 11:46:45 GMT
Jocasta's not permanent Vanessa is she? (She does cover a lot of roles though and was Dance Captain last time I saw.)
Kimmy Edwards and Ryan Reid are in Dreamgirls too. Either it's going to involve quite a few new cast members or we can assume In The Heights will close in October.
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Post by talkstageytome on Jun 3, 2016 11:50:24 GMT
No Jocasta is 'Yolanda' is she not? Christine Allado is Vanessa now.
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Post by d'James on Jun 3, 2016 11:53:42 GMT
Well she was listed as Yolanda on the understudy screen last time I saw it. She doesn't have a named part on the website.
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Post by Steffi on Jun 3, 2016 11:55:21 GMT
Rafaella is the new Yolanda and first cover Nina (as of June 11th). Jocasta is female ensemble. I don't remember the last time I saw her in the ensemble though.
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Post by theatreboy1 on Jun 6, 2016 19:27:29 GMT
There is no Nina listed on the website?
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Post by Steffi on Jun 6, 2016 19:32:16 GMT
Possibly a mistake. Gabriela is listed as Nina on the show's Facebook page: |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 21:12:50 GMT
This is just one of the most confusing casts on the West End... hugely talented but so damn confusing!
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Post by steve10086 on Jun 6, 2016 21:16:37 GMT
Have tickets for this, but bit concerned that all anyone talks about is cast absences and people covering other roles. Doesn't sound very reassuring.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 21:21:11 GMT
Have tickets for this, but bit concerned that all anyone talks about is cast absences and people covering other roles. Doesn't sound very reassuring. An amazing show and all of the cast are brilliant. Don't be concerned, you will love it anyway.  |
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840 posts
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Post by Steffi on Jun 7, 2016 9:27:52 GMT
I've seen various understudies and have always enjoyed the show no matter who was on.
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