In The Heights

This is a very well done recording (2-CD) of a great new Broadway score. I loved the show on Broadway, and Lin-Manuel Miranda is a dynamo -- and it is well captured on this recording.

The music is so catchy, you will find yourself playing this over and over -- and it stays with you long afterward when you find yourself humming the music during the day.

Certainly try to see the show if you can -- and get the album, which captures it well. One of my favorite cast recordings in many years.

Though not quite reaching the level of "Rent" or "West Side Story", "In The Heights" is marvelous & feels a bit like a cross between these classic shows.

Conceived, scored and led by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show recieved 13 well-deserved Tony nominations in a season that the revivals ("South Pacific", "Gypsy", and "Sunday In The Park With George") garnered noticeably more attention ... and walked away with the big prize, "Best Musical".

In addition to Mr. Miranda, the cast includes Robin De Jesus (Tony-nominee & terrific in the movie "Camp"), Mandy Gozalez, Christopher Jackson, Priscilla Lopez (Tony-winner from "A Chorus Line"), and the amazing Olga Merediz (Tony-nominee).

The score is a mixture of pop, Latin, and hip-hop influences and sounds better and better with repeated listenings. Best tracks:

In The Heights
Breathe
96,000
Paciencia Y Fe (Patience And Faith)
When You're Home
Blackout
Sunrise
Enough
Everything I Know

Terrific Show/CD: 4 1/2 stars

Lin-Manuel Miranda is not only both a friendly & powerful storyteller, but he knows how to write music and lyrics that are contemporary & urban and relevant & powerful. He instantly invites us in to the rich, lush spirit of the community which is perfectly captured here with its sexy hip-hop and Latin influences. In addition to Lin-Manuel, standout performances include Robin De Jesus, Mandy Gonzalez, Karen Olivio, Carlos Gomez, and (of course) Olga Merediz as the neighborhood's Matriarch. The arc of the stories are clear and the overall arc is
deep and moving.

Had the pleasure of seeing this show before all the Tony nominations. A lot of fun. The recording captures all the latin music, clever lyrics and energy. I highly recommend this recording.

"In The Heights" was in development in one form or another for almost a decade (not unlike many other musicals). Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the music and lyrics for the show, was a college student when he wrote the first version of the show. Since then, it has blossomed and transformed into a musical truly worthy of the Broadway stage.

The music is very catchy and upbeat. Melodically, I would call it a mix of "Rent" and "Spring Awakening" with a heavy dose of rap, filtered through the lens of various Latino music styles. It does not contain the overt sexual themes and profanity from the aforementioned shows, however. Overall: effective, energetic, and at times quite touching.

The storyline, while not as "deep" or "profound" as some other successful shows, is engaging and relatable.

Stand out tracks include:

- Breathe (one of the best songs written for the stage in recent memory, in my opinion)
- Sunrise (incredibly romantic, beautiful song)
- Alabanza (best rap in the show)

The album is also incredibly affordable for a double-disc musical. This irresistible show will be dancing in your head long after your first listen. Get it now!