In the Heights: J. Dacal & D. Del Rio to join cast

The 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical In The Heights, welcomes back original cast member Janet Dacal as 'Nina' on 19 Feb 2010, and welcomes David Del Rio as 'Sonny' on 15 Feb 2010.

Dacal (Nina) returns to In The Heights having originated the role of Carla in the original Off-Broadway and Broadway productions. She most recently starred in the world premiere of Frank Wildhorn's 'Wonderland' (Tampa). On Broadway she has alsp appeared in 'Good Vibrations.'

Rio (Sonny) makes his Broadway debut in In The Heights. A recent graduate of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, School of Film & Television, he is best known for his starring role in Nickelodeon's 'The Troop.' Other TV: 'Law and Order: SVU.' Regional: Cosi, Rumors and as 'John Merrick' in The Elephant Man.

Dacal will assume the role of 'Nina' from Mandy Gonzalez and David Del Rio the role of 'Sonny' from Robin De Jesús Gonzalez and Tony Award nominee de Jesús both starred in the 2007 Off-Broadway engagement of In The Heights, and have been with the Broadway production since the first performance. Gonzalez's final performance will be on 24 Jan 2010, and de Jesús' final performance will be on 14 Feb 2010. From 25 Jan - 18 Feb 2010 the role of 'Nina' will alternate between understudies Nina Lafarga, Courtney Reed and Gabrielle Ruiz.

In The Heights currently stars Andrea Burns (Daniela), Robin De Jesús (Sonny), Mandy Gonzalez (Nina), Marcy Harriell (Vanessa), Christopher Jackson (Benny), Priscilla Lopez (Camila), Olga Merediz (Abuela Claudia), *Javier Muñoz (Usnavi), Rick Negrón (Kevin), Courtney Reed (Carla) and Willian B. Wingfield (Graffiti Pete).
*Corbin Bleu assumes the role of 'Usnavi' from 25 Jan 2010.

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 30 May 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.