Anthony Ramos, who created the roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the original cast of Broadway's Hamilton, plays Usnavi in the Broadway Center Stage production of In the Heights beginning March 21 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes' acclaimed Washington Heights–set musical, directed and choreographed by Stephanie Klemons, is presented in semi-staged concerts through March 25 in the Eisenhower Theater.
The cast also features Gigi's Vanessa Hudgens (Gigi) as Vanessa, Ana Villafañe (On Your Feet!) as Nina, Eden Espinosa (Wicked) as Daniela, Mateo Ferro as Sonny, J. Quinton Johnson (Hamilton) as Benny, original Broadway cast member Blanca Camacho as Camila, Saundra Santiago (Nine) as Abuela Claudia, Broadway cast member Rick Negron returning to the role of Kevin, Virgil Gadson (After Midnight) as Graffiti Pete, Arianna Rosario (On Your Feet!) as Carla, and original Broadway cast member Eliseo Roman reprising the role of Piragua Guy.
The ensemble includes David Baida, Nico DeJesus, John Edwards, Hope Easterbrook, Rosie Fiedelman, Henry Gainza, Carlos Gonzalez, Morgan Marcell, April Ortiz, Khori Petinaud, and Voltaire Wade-Greene.
Ramos replaced the previously announced Joshua Grosso, who withdrew from the musical due to a minor foot injury.
In the Heights, which opened on Broadway in March 2008, earned Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Original Score, as well as Best Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler) and Best Orchestrations (Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman).
The Kennedy Center's inaugural season of Broadway Center Stage concerts launched February 14 with Chess. Following In the Heights, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying will be presented June 6–8.
