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In The Heights Marcy Harriell assumes the role of 'Vanessa'


Marcy Harriell assumes the role of 'Vanessa' on 18 Nov 2008 in the Broadway musical In The Heights - winner of the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical.

Harriell assumes the role from original cast member Karen Olivo who exited the show on 2 Nov 2008. Olivo has been cast as 'Anita' in the upcoming Broadway revival West Side Story playing at the Palace Theatre from 23 Feb 2009.

During the interregnum the role of 'Vanessa' was played by understudies.

Harriell's Broadway credits include 'Lennon' (2005) and 'Rent' (1996). Off-Broadway credits include 'Getting Home,' 'Little Fish,' and 'Sorrows and Rejoicings' all for Second Stage Theatre.

In The Heights opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on 9 Mar 2008, following previews from 14 Feb 2008. The show is currently booking through to 12 Apr 2009.

The musical opened to mostly good to luke-warm reviews: "There is no more joyful musical to see this season." (NY 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.

In The Heights now stars Andr�a Burns (Daniela), Janet Dacal (Carla), Robin De Jes�s (Sonny), Carlos Gomez (Kevin), Mandy Gonzalez (Nina), Christopher Jackson (Benny), Priscilla Lopez (Camila), Olga Merediz (Abuela Claudia), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Usnavi), Marcy Harriell (Vanessa) and Seth Stewart (Graffiti Pete).

In The Heights has music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegria Hudes.

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.

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.

The off-Broadway 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.

In The Heights is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman, who also produced the Off-Broadway production.

Click here to buy tickets for In The Heights

Originally published on

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