In the Heights: Jordin Sparks in B'way debut

The 2008 Tony Award-winning Musical In The Heights welcomes recording artist and 2007 "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks as Broadway's new "Nina Rosario," assuming the role from Janet Dacal

Making her Broadway debut in In The Heights on 19 Aug 2010, 20 year old Sparks will play a limited 12 week engagement through to 14 Nov 2010.

"It's always been one of my dreams to perform on Broadway," says Jordin Sparks. "This is a brand new experience for me. I look so forward to spending time in New York City and joining this talented cast and my favorite new musical."

In The Heights currently stars Andrea Burns (Daniela), David Del Rio (Sonny), Janet Dacal (Nina), Marcy Harriell(Vanessa), Christopher Jackson (Benny), Priscilla Lopez (Camila), Olga Merediz (Abuela Claudia), Corbin Bleu (Usnavi), Rick Negrón (Kevin), Courtney Reed (Carla) and Willian B. Wingfield (Graffiti Pete).

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 14 Nov 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 and an Obie Award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics.