In the Heights
Mar. 31st, 2018 11:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meteordustSo last weekend, I went to see In the Heights at the Hayes Theatre. It's been on my list of musicals to see ever since that episode of Ugly Betty when Justin was over the moon about it, and wow, was it really ten years ago that it first came out? And of course by now I was curious about LMM's first major project, and whether the seeds of Hamilton could be seen in it.
The website said it was a sold out season, but to check back daily for returns, which is how I was lucky enough to snag a ticket. It was my first visit to the Hayes Theatre, an easy walk from Kings Cross station. When I got there, I understood one of the reasons it was sold out: the theatre is tiny, only seating 111, which meant that anywhere was a great view.
I love immigrant stories. They are the stories of my parents, and the parents of my friends and relatives. This musical really hit home, even though it's about a totally different group of people halfway across the world. The same and not the same. Family, community, culture, dreaming of a better life somewhere else, the courage to leave behind everything you've ever known. And how it means different things for this generation, and the generation before, and the generation before that. But the journey will always continue. Finding a new place to call home. Hoping your children will do better than you. Keeping your stories alive.
So yeah, I may have cried a bit during.
I also love stories told over a short timeframe, so I liked the intensity of how it all took place over three days. It hammered home how a community is not just a place but a moment in time, and if people move on, that fragile thing can be dispelled.
The cast was awesome. The songs were catchy and moving. I love how many duets and big ensemble numbers there were. Most of the plot developments were clearly telegraphed, but in a narratively satisfying way, and there were still a few things that caught me by surprise.
Anyway, it was great to get to see it at last. Now I'm waiting for my CD of the Broadway cast recording to arrive, and I expect I'll be playing the hell out of it.
The website said it was a sold out season, but to check back daily for returns, which is how I was lucky enough to snag a ticket. It was my first visit to the Hayes Theatre, an easy walk from Kings Cross station. When I got there, I understood one of the reasons it was sold out: the theatre is tiny, only seating 111, which meant that anywhere was a great view.
I love immigrant stories. They are the stories of my parents, and the parents of my friends and relatives. This musical really hit home, even though it's about a totally different group of people halfway across the world. The same and not the same. Family, community, culture, dreaming of a better life somewhere else, the courage to leave behind everything you've ever known. And how it means different things for this generation, and the generation before, and the generation before that. But the journey will always continue. Finding a new place to call home. Hoping your children will do better than you. Keeping your stories alive.
So yeah, I may have cried a bit during.
I also love stories told over a short timeframe, so I liked the intensity of how it all took place over three days. It hammered home how a community is not just a place but a moment in time, and if people move on, that fragile thing can be dispelled.
The cast was awesome. The songs were catchy and moving. I love how many duets and big ensemble numbers there were. Most of the plot developments were clearly telegraphed, but in a narratively satisfying way, and there were still a few things that caught me by surprise.
Anyway, it was great to get to see it at last. Now I'm waiting for my CD of the Broadway cast recording to arrive, and I expect I'll be playing the hell out of it.
