The exiting Mandy Gonzalez (the current Nina) and Tony Award nominee Robin de Jesús (Sonny) both appeared in the 2007 Off-Broadway engagement of In the Heights, and have been with the Broadway production since the first performance at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Gonzalez's final performance will be Jan. 31 at 7 PM, and De Jesús' final performance will be Feb. 14 at 7 PM. From Jan. 25 to Feb. 18 the role of Nina will alternate between understudies Nina Lafarga, Courtney Reed and Gabrielle Ruiz.
Del Rio (Sonny) will make his Broadway debut in In the Heights. A recent graduate of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, School of Film & Television, he is best known for his starring role in Nickelodeon's "The Troop."
Dacal (Nina) returns to In the Heights having originated the role of Carla in the original Off-Broadway and Broadway productions. She most recently starred in the world premiere of Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland (Tampa and Houston). She appeared in Broadway's Good Vibrations and Arena Stage's Señor Discretion Himself.
As of Feb. 19, 2010, In the Heights will star Corbin Bleu, Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, David Del Rio, Marcy Harriell, Christopher Jackson, Priscilla Lopez, Olga Merediz, Rick Négron, Courtney Reed and William B. Wingfield leading a cast of 28 that features Tony Chiroldes, Dwayne Clark, Rosie Lani Fiedelman, Ruben Flores, Marcus Paul James, Nina Lafarga, Jennifer Locke, Doreen Montalvo, Gabrielle Ruiz, Luis Salgado, Kevin Santos, Rickey Tripp, Michael Balderrama, Blanca Camacho, Stephanie Klemons, Allison Thomas Lee, Alejandra Reyes, Jon Rua and Marcos Santana.
In the Heights won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The show, infused with hip-hop and Latin-infused music, covers two days in the life of the residents of Washington Heights, where families are fighting to make a new home in a neighborhood that is threatening to push them out. In the Heights is the winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Lin-Manuel Miranda won the 2008 Tony for Best Music and Lyrics, Andy Blankenbuehler won the 2008 Tony for Best Choreography, and Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Orchestrations.
With a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, In the Heights is directed by Thomas Kail.
Tickets for In the Heights range from $41.50 to $121.50, and can be purchased at the Richard Rodgers box office or at www.ticketmaster.com. The playing schedule for In the Heights is as follows: Tuesdays and Sundays at 7 PM, Monday, Thursdays–Saturdays at 8 PM, with matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 2 PM.
For more information visit www.intheheightsthemusical.com.
