In The Heights: Andr�a Burns returns as 'Daniela,' Will Wingfield joins cast on 26 Aug
Andr�a Burns, who originated the character of 'Daniela' both on and Off-Broadway, returns to the role in the Broadway musical In The Heights, winner of the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, on 25 Aug 2009.
Burn's temporarily left the show earlier this summer and was replaced by 'Six Feet Under' star Justina Machado. Machado joined the cast on 29 Jun for what was to be an eight week engagement though to 23 Aug 2009. However the star withdrew from the production earlier than expected due to TV commitments. Understudies have played the role for the last few weeks.
Burn's Broadway creits include 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'The Full Monty.' She was also the understudy for Rosie Perez in the 2007 Broadway revival of 'The Ritz.'
In further casting news, Will Wingfield is to assume the role of break-dancing street artist 'Graffiti Pete' on 26 Aug 2009 from original cast member Seth Stewart.
Wingfield, who is making his Broadway debut, is known to TV audiances for his appearances on the fourth season of the Fox reality TV show, 'So You Think You Can Dance.'
In The Heights now stars Andr�a Burn (Daniela), Janet Dacal (Carla), Robin De Jes�s (Sonny), Rick Negr�n (Kevin), Mandy Gonzalez (Nina), Christopher Jackson (Benny), Priscilla Lopez (Camila), Olga Merediz (Abuela Claudia), Javier Mu�oz (Usnavi), Marcy Harriell (Vanessa) and *Seth Stewart (Graffiti Pete).
*Will Wingfield assumes the role of 'Graffiti Pete' from 26 Aug 2009
In The Heights opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on 9 Mar 2008, following previews from 14 Feb 2008, and is currently selling tickets through to 3 Jan 2010.
The show opened on Broadway to mostly good to luke-warm reviews: "There is no more joyful musical to see this season." (New York Theatre Guide); "What it lacks in story and believability it makes up for in a vibrant rap- and salsa-flavored score." (NY Daily News); "Delivers a festive time that plenty of people will enjoy." (Star-Ledger); "Not a great musical. But it's about as impossible to dislike as an adorable puppy." (USA Today); "Deeply flawed and deeply pleasurable." (NY Sun) and "an uncalculated charmer. (Variety).
In The Heights: A quintessential New York musical about a vibrant and tight-knit community at the top of the island of Manhattan. The music pulses with the hopes and dreams of three generations as they struggle to forge an identity in a neighborhood on the brink of transition.
The musical is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, scene design by Anna Louizos, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley and sound by Acme Sound Partners.
In The Heights is the winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.
In The Heights is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman, who also produced the Off-Broadway production.
The show began life off-Broadway at 37 Arts Theatre, where it ran from 8 Feb - 15 Jul 2007, playing 33 preview and 182 regular performances.
That production won the 2007 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Choreographer, the 2007 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Ensemble Performance, Outer Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Choreography, Obie Award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics, and finally a Theatre World Award for Lin-Manuel Miranda.
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