Still Riding the In The Heights High

It's been a week since I saw the 2008 Tony Best Musical, In The Heights. The show is not like the classical Broadway musicals such as Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables. It has pop, Latin, and even less traditional, rap. I won't write a full review since I don't think I have the capacity to, anyway. For a review by a real professional, see the NY Times review at: http://theater2.nytimes.com/2007/02/09/theater/reviews/09heights.html. But in sum, the Heights is referring to Washington Heights, an area in the North of Manhattan adjacent to the George Washington bridge. This area is called the barrio by the Latin American immigrants that inhabit the place. The musical is, then, a montage of the lives of these immigrants with the main character, Usnavi in the middle of it all. Usnavi himself is played by the brains of the entire musical--concept, music, and all--Lin-Manuel Miranda.

From a layman's point of view, then, I really loved the musical because it was a freakin' show, man! The music was so festive since it had the Latin American flavor. Then it breaks out into rap with playful lyrics and witty dialogue. Sure, the storyline can be soap operatic, but it is Latino after all! The story might be a bit thin, but the storytelling was certainly entertaining. And the dancing! The dancing was unbelievable, you just wanted to jump onto the stage and join the party. It was so infectious that the audience seemed like they wanted to have a dance party right there when we stood up after the show.

In The Heights reminds me of Rent, except it was funny and much, much more upbeat (naturally!). There were little things that just made the audience crack up, like when his Abuela was telling how Usnavi got his name. His father got the idea when he was just getting off the boat from the Dominican Republic. The father sees a ship docked and says he's going to name his son after that. And Usnavi reacts, saying, but that's US NAVY! So it's not that funny when I'm telling it, but it was.

I just had a really good time watching it. Another bonus was I have this illusion that Lin-Manuel Miranda flirted with me during the show. While he was rapping the lines directing you to Washington Heights, ending with "I hope you're writing this down I'm gonna test you later," he was looking at me (yes, I was in the front row, won the lottery). So you're thinking, he probably looks at that seat every night, but come on, let me have my moment.

Dan Radcliffe on Broadway

After seeing In The Heights, Zjong and I were walking by the Broadhurst Theater where Equus was playing, and we noticed that there were barricades by the backstage door. Along with the barricades are wide-eyed teenage girls that were red-faced from the excitement. These could only spell Dan Radcliffe coming out from the play. True enough, in a few moments, he graciously went around signing autographs and let his photos be taken. Notable for me, though, was not Dan Radcliffe as I've seen him before and I'm not really interested in someone that I could have given birth to. It was his hot, hot bodyguard! Aah, life and its surprises.

I'm In Love With Jason Lezak!

Need I say more? The guy caught my attention when I watched the most exciting race in swimming that I've ever seen. Anchoring the 4X100m freestyle relay in the recently concluded Beijing Olympics, he caught up with France's Alain Bernard when it seemed impossible, with his record breaking 46.06 split. This is even faster than the 100m individual freestyle record which Bernard himself swam at world record pace of 47.12. A sports anchor said that Jason's swim is the equivalent of a mother who is able to lift a car to save her child who's pinned under it. I rarely root for the Americans, but this time, I just couldn't help it!

His performance in the relay allowed Michael Phelps to continue in his quest for eight gold medals in a single Olympics to beat Mark Spitz's record of seven.

Michael Phelps must be thinking, "Jason's the Huck to my Tom, the Ron to my Harry, ... " and I can't think of any other metaphors at the moment.

And, of course, he's terribly cute. I don't even have to say anything about what a hot body he has... swimmer that he is.

But before I can even start imagining our life together--if his being Jewish would be a hindrance to us being together, if he's willing to move to new york or am i willing to move to irvine and all that--my fantasies were crushed by my discovery that he's been married for four years. Argh!

Scene in NY: Debbie Downer Downtown

Saw Rachel Dratch, SNL alum, around the Chelsea area last Monday. I remember her most from her character Debbie Downer on SNL. The petite comedienne looked like she needed a shower (it was very warm last Monday).

Ladies Only... Which Movie Star Are You?

Email from Aileenbear. I'm Debbie Reynolds... borderline almost Grace Kelly! HAHA!

This is kind of fun! Ever wonder which movie star you are most like? Don't read ahead please! Well ~ A team of researchers got together and analyzed the personalities of movie stars. The gathered info has been incorporated into this quiz. There are only 10 questions so it doesn't take long.

Number your paper from 1 to 10, then answer each question with the choice that most describes you at this point in your life and then add up the points that correspond with your answers. Send this to all of your friends ( including person who sent it to you) with your star's name in the subject line.. ... And don't be a butt and ruin the fun by not responding ... Now ... Don't look ahead or you will ruin the fun!

1. Which describes your perfect date?
a) Candlelight dinner for two
b) Amusement Park
c) Roller blading in the park
d) Rock Concert
e) Have dinner & see a movie
f) Dinner at home with a loved one

2. What is your favorite type of music?
a) Rock and Roll
b) Alternative
c) Soft Rock
d) Classical
e) Christian
f) Jazz

3. What is your favorite type of movie?
a) Comedy
b) Horror
c) Musical
d) Romance
e) Documentary
f) Mystery

4. Which of the following jobs would you choose if you were given only these choices?
a) Waiter/Waitress
b) Sports Player
c) Teacher
d) Policeman
e) Bartender (My new dream job!)
f) Business person

5. Which would you rather do if you had an hour to waste?
a) Work out
b) Make out
c) Watch TV (Can't deny that I'm a TV addict.)
d) Listen to the radio
e) Sleep
f) Read

6. Of the following colors, which do you like best?
a) Yellow
b) White
c) Sky blue
d) Teal
e) Gold
f) Red

7. Which one of the following would you like to eat right now?
a) Ice cream
b) Pizza
c) Sushi
d) Pasta
e) Salad
f) Lobster Tail

8. Which is your favorite holiday?
a) Halloween
b) Christmas
c) New Year's
d) Valentine's Day
e) Thanksgiving
f) Fourth of July

9. If you could go to any of the following places, which would it be?
a) Reno
b) Spain (Tara na, Roomie!)
c) Las Vegas
d) Hawaii
e) Hollywood
f) British Columbia

10. Of the f ollowing, who would you rather spend time with?
a) Someone who is smart
b) Someone with good looks
c) Someone who is a party animal
d) Someone who has fun all the time
e) Someone who is very emotional
f) Someone who is fun to be with (Roomie, pwede na ako na lang ang may good looks!)

Now total up your points on each question:

1. a-4 b-2 c-5 d-1 e-3 f-6
2. a-2 b-1 c-4 d-5 e-3 f-6
3. a-2 b-1 c-3 d-4 e-5 f-6
4. a-4 b-5 c-3 d-2 e-1 f-6
5. a-5 b-4 c-2 d-1 e-3 f-6
6. a-1 b-5 c-3 d-2 e-4 f-6
7. a-3 b-2 c-1 d-4 e-5 f-6
8. a-1 b-3 c-2 d-4 e-5 f-6
9. a-4 b-5 c-1 d-4 e-3 f-6
10. a-5 b-2 c-1 d-3 e-4 f-6

NOW ....take your total and find out which Movie Star you are:

(10-17 points) You are MADONNA: You are wild and crazy and you know it. You know how to have fun, but you may take it to extremes. You know what you are doing though, and are much in control of your own life. People don't always see things your way, but that doesn't mean that you should do away with your beliefs. Try to remember that your wild spirit can lead to hurting yourself and others.

(18-26 points) You are DORIS DAY: You are fun, friendly, and popular! You are a real crowd pleaser. You have probably been out on the town your share of times,yet you come home with the values that your mother taught you. Marriage and children are very important to you, but only after you have fun. Don't let the people you please influence you to stray.

(27-34 points) You are DEBBIE REYNOLDS: You are cute, and everyone loves you. You are a best friend that no one takes the chance of losing. You never hurt feelings and seldom have your own feelings hurt. Life is a breeze. You are witty, and calm most of the time. Just keep clear of back stabbers, and you are worry-free.

(35-42 points) You are GRACE KELLY: You are a lover. Romance, flowers, and wine are all you need to enjoy yourself. You are serious about all commitments and are a family person. You call your Mom every Sunday, and never forget a Birthday. Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the real thing.

(43-50 points) You are KATHERINE HEPBURN: You are smart, a real thinker. Every situation is approached with a plan. You are very healthy in mind and body. You don't take crap from anyone. You have only a couple of individuals that you consider "real friends". You teach strong family values. Keep your feet planted in them, but don't overlook a bad situation when it does happen.

(51-60 points) You are ELIZABETH TAYLOR: Everyone is in awe of you. You know what you want and how to get it. You have more friends than you know what to do with. Your word is your bond. Eve ryone knows when you say something it is money in the bank.You attract the opposite sex.. Your intelligence overwhelms most. Your memory is the next thing to photographic. Everyone admires you because you are so considerate and lovable. You know how to enjoy life and treat people right.

Happy Third Month, Lucia and Jacinta!

The twins are growing up fast. And I'm missing it. Miss their sounds, their cheeks, their smells...