In the Heights

On YouTube there are some videos of productions in (if memory serves) Peru and Argentina, in Spanish.

Third time seeing this last night, loved it once again.

One thing I noticed, compared to the previous visits, was how much of a difference it makes having a full cast (the only understudy on was Rafaella Covino as Nina, as Gabriela Garcia is on holiday). On my last visit it was in the middle of their worst cast/understudy issues, so seeing it tonight was a revelation. It meant that the dancing was so much more impressive, and busy scenes like the Club and the Blackout make so much more sense (last time I went, Usnavi had to dance with Daniela). It also gives the smaller main roles much more room to breathe; last night was the first time I've really appreciated the character of Sonny, and that's partly because he was excellently played, but also because the actor isn't running around covering ensemble tracks - it makes him a real character, rather than just 'another person in the barrio, who also happens to be Usnavi's cousin'.

Yeah I really like the Broadway recording - apart from Enough!

What a great performance tonight. No covers apart from Reiss as Graffiti Pete.

Aimie is a great Daniela. Arun did a great job playing a character I've always hated; best Benny by far.

Loved Sarah Naudi last time. However she wasn't as good today. Hey, everyone can have a bad night.

Damian is such a cute Sonny!

Oh and I still cringe every time Vas speaks Spanish.

Btw it was delayed 15-20 mins. No reasons given. I wonder if Reiss covering Graffiti Pete was a last minute change.

Finally saw the new cast today. Reiss Hinds was the only understudy on (as Graffiti Pete).

I got my ticket in the TodayTix Cyber Monday deal for £15 but I had £10 credit so it really only cost me £5 and I was upgraded to the front row - can't complain.

It's still in very good shape, although Enough lacked a bit of the oomph Josie Benson used to give it.

Aimie Atkinson was very good - amazing how much she sounded like her predecessor (Philippa Stefani). She plays the role slightly less for laughs but it's really interesting seeing the lines delivered differently. (I never saw anyone but Philippa play Daniela the six times I saw it previously.)

Wow. I loved Arun Blair-Mangat's voice so much. Definitely one of my favourite Bennies. Wish I'd seen him as Lola in Kinky Boots now.

I think it was danieljohnson14 who said about the 'pull your damn pants up line' working better when the pants are down to begin with, which is something Reiss didn't do.

There's a very different vibe about the ensemble dancers now - well at least the ones I saw today. I think it might be because there's much more variation in height now - at least that's how it seemed. They also seemed to be dancing more as individuals rather than a team. I got used to it by the end and it worked fine.

Sarah Naudi really owns the role of Vanessa now (I saw her earlier in the year when she was second cover when she wasn't so assured). Vanessa's still a bit of a cow though.

It's an odd comment to make but I think Carla works better when she's played by an actress who's shorter than Daniela and Vanessa, which is why I never though Sarah Naudi was quite right in that role (she sang/acted/danced it just fine though.)

Does Sonny always wear knee pads?

I will be making a post in the Bad Behaviour thread about today's audience later today or tomorrow.

On Tuesday I saw the full cast (apart from Graffiti Pete). I've ummed and ahhed so much since. I was meant to be going a few times before it closed and I was going to spend my 'special' birthday vouchers on making sure I had a seat for its final night. I cancelled the next couple of trips; and I just can't justify spending the voucher on it, the current cast are just not as good as a whole. My last night will always be September the fourth.

I've seen previous criticism of Vas Constanti's pronunciation, but the worst is definitely Norma Atallah. She hasn't learnt how to say 'Nueva York' in what, six months now? (Also, Genesis Lynea saying 'No Hablo Inglés' made Nigel Farage sound cultural.)

(In my previous post I meant 'I did really enjoy . . .')

Apologies if this question has been asked before, but which seats in this theatre would you all recommend for In the Heights? I've been keen to finally see it as a big LMM/Hamilton fan but haven't been to this theatre before.

Thanks daniel!

I watched it last night from row B towards the entrance side of Platform 1. Definitely enjoyed it, but I also had Hamilton on the back of my mind. But I'm aware that In the Heights was first written when Lin was young, and really, it's hard to top someone's current best work with seeing their first major work approx 10 years after its first inception.

The cast I think was the same as written in the current programme, but I wish I had also seen the original London cast just for comparison's sake.

This is quite an intimate theatre space, and I think it works for a production that focuses on a Latino neighbourhood community in NYC. The only time I wished for a larger stage was when many things were happening at once during the group numbers.

I loved Blackout and pretty much all of the ensemble numbers. It was admittedly distracting whenever the actors would let their London accents slip in, though.

I really liked Nina and Daniela.

Are we allowed to sell tickets here? I can't remember. If not, delete obvs. If so....

We've got 3 spare tickets to In The Heights at 3pm TODAY - a couple of friends bailed on our group. Anyone want them? Not necessarily selling them all together so if you just want one or a pair then that's fine. £20 each was what we paid but could be flexible. Let me know 😙 xxx

Ahaha thanks! I managed to get rid of two of the three in the end, so not too bad!

Show was just as good today as always. I think In The Heights is a near perfect show in terms of music, choreo, lighting, cast. I'm never not impressed. I'd already seen the new cast minus Aimee Atkinson as Daniela, but she was on today and I loved her take on the role. A wonderful voice too. Gabriela Garcia as Nina is just perfect too! Shame it's closing soon, but it's had a good run at least!

Don't know if anyone has seen this, but Gabriela performing Breathe. Looks like it was filmed from one of the side blocks that opened up in the last few months, not the bad view I expected though I suppose it is the edge of that block!

Sunday.