In the Heights: Arielle Jacobs to play Nina

The 2008 Tony Award-winning Musical In The Heights has announced that Arielle Jacobs will make her Broadway debut as 'Nina Rosario' on 15 Nov 2010 at Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre. 2007 "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks will play her final performance as 'Nina' on 14 Nov 2010.

As previously announced Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator, original star and Tony and Grammy Award-winning composer of In The Heights, will return to his Tony nominated role as 'Usnavi' on 25 Dec 2010, for the final 19 performances of the Broadway run.

Arielle Jacobs makes her Broadway debut in In The Heights directly from playing 'Nina' in the National tour of In The Heights. She has also played 'Gabriella' in the National tour of 'High School Musical,' and appeared in workshops for the musicals 'Mark,' 'GoGo Beach,' and 'It Shoulda Been You.' TV/film credits include "Commander in Chief," "Dance War," "Water Lilies" and "Disney's 365."

In The Heights currently stars Jordin Sparks (Nina), Kyle Beltran (Usnavi), Marcy Harriell (Vanessa), Priscilla Lopez (Camila), Andrea Burns (Daniela), Olga Merediz (Abuela Claudia), Rick Negrón (Kevin), Clifton Oliver (Benny), Courtney Reed (Carla), Shaun Taylor-Corbett (Sonny) and Jon Rua (Graffiti Pete).

In The Heights opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on 9 Mar 2008, following previews from 14 Feb 2008, where it will play its final performance on 9 Jan 2011.

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 and an Obie Award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics.