‘In the Heights’ is the final show in West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park’s ninth season Mainstage Series.
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Playhouse on Park is in the homestretch of Season Nine, and only one Mainstage Show remains: In The Heights! Tickets for this musical are already going fast, with previews and opening night nearly sold out! Opening night for In The Heights is June 15; the complimentary wine and cheese reception is at 7 p.m., and curtain is set for 8 p.m.
With music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and book by Quiara Alegria Hudes, In The Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.
In The Heights is the winner of the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.
Playhouse co-artistic directors and co-founders Sean Harris and Darlene Zoller return to direct and choreograph In The Heights. Melanie Guerin serves as Musical Director for the nearly 10-piece band.
A Young Professionals Night Out has been planned in conjunction with this production. For $20, young professionals (ages 21-35) can enjoy a pre-show reception, hosted by Playhouse’s Young Professional Advisory Board, as well as take in the show!. There will be complementary wine and snacks from local eateries. The pre-show reception starts at 6 p.m., with the play beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Young Professionals rate is for this night only.
A special Tuesday matinee for this production is planned for June 26 at 2 p.m., with all tickets priced at $22.50. In addition, there are two open mic nights scheduled for June 23 and July 21. Come to the show and stay or come on over just for open mic. Take the stage or sit back and cheer on those who are performing! Open mic nights are free and open to the public, and BYOB (tips for the pianist are encouraged). Bring your own sheet music or choose from ours; we’ll provide an accompanist!
Starring in this production are: Niko Touros (NYC: URINETOWN; Regional: MAMMA MIA!, HAIR, SISTER ACT) as Usnavi, Amy Jo Phillips (Broadway: Queenie SHOWBOAT, TOM SAWYER. National Tours: Bloody Mary SOUTH PACIFIC, Emma TAP DANCE KID, THE ME NOBODY KNOWS and PORGY & BESS. TV: THE UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT) as Abuela Caudia, Stephanie Pope (Broadway/Off Broadway: JERICHO, PIPPIN (Astaire Award nom., ACCA Award), Velma Kelly CHICAGO, Muzzy Van Hossmere THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, Leading Player FOSSE, Gymnasia A FUNNY THING HAPPENED, The Hunnies JELLY’S LAST JAM) as Camila, JL Rey (Regional: EVITA, ANNA IN THE TROPICS, HAMLET, MAN OF LA MANCHA, THE LARAMIE PROJECT, TV: 30 ROCK, BILLIONS) as Kevin Rosario, Analise Rios (Jean’s Playhouse: Wednesday THE ADDAMS FAMILY & Lucy YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN. Analise is in an upcoming steampunk rock opera tour, NULL PARADOX) as Nina, Leyland Patrick (Noel S Ruiz Theatre:BRING IT ON!; THE LITTLE MERMAID; MEMPHIS; DREAMGIRLS) as Benny, Sophia Introna (Hudson Guild Theater: EMERSON LOSES HER “MIAND”; Rider University: BONNIE AND CLYDE, SHE KILLS MONSTERS, THE TEMPEST) as Vanessa, Nick Palazzo (Playhouse on Park: Adam MISS NELSON IS MISSING; Goodspeed: LINCOLN IN LOVE; Ocean City Theatre Company: CINDERELLA; Cortland Repertory Theatre: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF) as Sonny, Paul Edme (Past credits include AIDA, MEMPHIS, FENCES, Mr. Jenkins HOW TO SUCCEED and Harpo THE COLOR PURPLE) as Graffiti Pete, Sandra Marante (NYC THEATER: Beauty BEAUTY & THE BEAST, Lalume KISMET, Adina ELIXIR OF LOVE. REGIONAL THEATER: Aldonza MAN OF LA MANCHA, TV: BULL (CBS)) as Daniela, Paige Buade (The Hartt School: A … MY NAME IS ALICE; B.M.T.: Tracey Turnblad HAIRSPRAY; Ursula THE LITTLE MERMAID; AreaStage Company: Woman 2 EDGES; Miami Children’s Theater: Woman 2 SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, Daniela IN THE HEIGHTS) as Carla, and Willie Marte (Venice Theatre: SISTER ACT, FENCES; National Theatre for Education and Arts: DON QUIXOTE, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ) as Piraguero.
The ensemble cast includes: Olivia Ryan (Playhouse on Park: A CHORUS LINE, MAMA D’S OUTRAGEOUS ROMPs; Goodspeed Musicals: SWEETWATER), Gabrielle Baker (iSummer Theatre of New Canaan: THE DANCING PRINCESSES, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN; Wagner College: TITANIC, HAIR), Jon Rodriguez (Off Broadway: LA CANCION (Star) at Repertorio Español, BRING IT ON (LaCienega) with The Broadway Workshop. NYC/Regional: IN THE HEIGHTS (Ensemble, Sonny u/s), and SPRING AWAKENING (Georg)), Isiah Bostic (WCSU: Bobby COMPANY; Flick VIOLET; Aristocrat, Che u/s EVITA), Maya Cuevas (The Hartt School: Ensemble MACBETH, Tituba THE CRUCIBLE; New Generation Theater: Little Inez HAIRSPRAY, Vanessa IN THE HEIGHTS), Jahlil M. Burke (Long Island Theatre: Jake SIDE SHOW, Jason BARE, King Triton THE LITTLE MERMAID).
In The Heights runs through July 29. Tickets are now on sale, ranging from $40-$50. Student, senior, and Let’s Go Arts discounts available. There is no show on July 4, Independence Day. Each Sunday matinee features a post-show talkback with the cast and director.
For more information about Young Professionals Night at In The Heights, Free Open Mic Nights, and Sunday Talk Backs, visit www.playhouseonpark.org.
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