As Lin-Manuel Miranda's Pulitzer Prize-winning Hamilton continues its 10th anniversary celebration on Broadway, Miranda's first Broadway outing, the Tony-winning In the Heights, will mark the 20th anniversary of its debut at Connecticut's Eugene O’Neill Theater Center with a one-night-only concert.
Tony winner KO (formerly Karen Olivo) will direct the September 8 concert at New London’s Garde Arts Center. The cast will feature the previously reported Satya Chávez as Piragüero; Florencia Cuenca (Real Women Have Curves) as Camila; Tony winner and original cast member Robin de Jesús (The Boys in the Band) as Usnavi; Tomas Matos as Daniela; Katerina McCrimmon as Nina; Brandon Michael Nase as Benny; and Eliseo Roman (On Your Feet!) as Kevin.
Newly announced for the benefit are Yassmin Alers (The Notebook) as Abuela Claudia, Chachi Delgado as Graffiti Pete, Tatianna Córdoba (Real Women Have Curves: The Musical) as Vanessa, Jennifer Sánchez (Real Women Have Curves) as Carla, and Kruz Maldonado as Sonny plus ensemble members Enrique Miguel, Miguel Àngel Vàsquez, and Genesis Adelia Collado. Abel Garriga is the musical director.
With a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and a score by Miranda, the musical tells the story of the dreams, romances, and aspirations of a cast of characters in Washington Heights over the course of several hot summer days. In the Heights was developed during the O’Neill’s 2005 National Music Theater Conference, with direction by Thomas Kail and music direction by Alex Lacamoire, both of whom would stay with the production through its Off-Broadway and Broadway productions, the latter winning four 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
“It’s an honor to be returning to Heights with the O’Neill’s support. For me, this play recontextualized how Latinae people were portrayed on commercial musical stages while centering the power of community. This interpretation honors those who were present and those who came before us,” said KO in an earlier statement.
“I’m so excited to not only be celebrating this incredible show and the impression it left on the American theatre, but also to be doing it right here in southeastern Connecticut,” added Tiffani Gavin, the O’Neill’s executive director. “With KO at the helm, the audience will get to experience a fresh take on the show they helped nurture. The O’Neill has always been about the responsive give and take between its audience and performers, I hope that this reminds folks of the impact they’ve had on American culture.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit the new work development organization’s year-round programming.
In the Heights is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
For ticket information, click here.
