In the Heights' star-studded cast

MANILA, Philippines - Atlantis Productions’ staging of the Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights features a star-studded cast to grace the musical theater stage.  Directed by Bobby Garcia, In the Heights runs from Sept. 2 to 18 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

In the Heights with its hip-hop, salsa, merengue and soul music infused score by Lin Manuel Miranda, took Broadway by storm when it opened in 2008 garnering 13 Tony Award nominations and winning four Tony Awards including the Tony Award for Best Musical.

In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood — a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.

Leading the cast is acoustic balladeer and songwriter Nyoy Volante as Usnavi, the bodega owner who dreams of returning to his homeland Puerto Rico. Nyoy has received critical acclaim on the stage in Atlantis Productions’ staging of Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Dreamgirls and The Rocky Horror Show.

Star Power finalist K-La Rivera makes her professional musical theater debut as Nina, the Stanford student who returns to her old neighborhood with some surprising news.  The young Fil-Canadian singer is touted by many to be the next big thing in the Philippine entertainment industry.  

One of the country’s finest dramatic film actresses, Jackie Lou Blanco, makes her English language musical theater debut as Camila, Nina’s loving and supportive mother. Jackie Lou has appeared in numerous films and on TV shows and is thrilled to be a part of the cast of In the Heights.

Miss Saigon star Ima Castro takes on the role of Vanessa, Usnavi’s love interest who works at the Salon with Daniela. Ima is earning rave reviews in the title role of Aida, also for Atlantis Productions.

Powerhouse singer Tex Ordoñez plays Daniela, the owner of the Salon who has bigger dreams for herself and her business. Tex was last seen on the Atlantis stage in Dreamgirls. She was also a part of Hong Kong Disneyland’s opening cast and is thrilled to be back on stage.

Calvin Millado returns to the musical theater stage as Kevin, Camila’s husband, who runs Rosario’s Car Service.  Calvin is known for his critically-acclaimed performance as Roger in the Manila and Singapore productions of Rent. He has also appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show, Dreamgirls, Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, Avenue Q and Legally Blonde.

Felix Rivera, who received critical acclaim as Gabe in Next To Normal, returns to the stage as Benny, the dispatch driver who work at Rosario’s Car Service, and finds himself falling in love with Nina. Felix has appeared in some of the finest roles in Avenue Q, Spelling Bee, Legally Blonde, Xanadu and A Little Night Music.

Jimmy Marquez joins the cast as the neighborhood Piraguero, who walks the streets selling the coolest ice shavings. The soul balladeer placed second in Star in a Million and went on to win the silver medal at the Shanghai MusicFest.

Also featured in the cast are Jay Glorioso, who received critical acclaim as Mdme. Armfeldt in A Little Night Music in Manila and Singapore, as Abuela Claudia, Marcos Acosta as Sonny, Tanya Manalang as Carla and Jerald Napoles as Graffiti Pete.  Joining them are Alys Serdenia, Johann dela Fuente, Japs Treopaldo, Carlos Canlas, Delphine Buencamino and Stanley Canete.

Director Bobby, fresh off the critical and commercial success of Next to Normal, says, “I am thrilled to be working on In the Heights. It has a fantastic score and a great story.  It is very Pinoy! Its message of chasing your dreams and finding your home is really powerful.  I haven’t stopped listening to the music since it first came out.  I am also thrilled to have assembled a really stellar cast from different parts of the industry. They will all bring Lin Manuel-Miranda’s  passionate Tony Award-winning score to vibrant life each night.”

A limited number of shows are also now available for show buying and fundraising opportunities with excellent returns on your investment. It is the perfect show to raise money for your organization, foundation or charity. Don’t miss out on this chance to be a part of one of the most exciting Tony Award-winning musicals of the decade!

In the Heights has choreography by Cecile Martinez, set design by Mio Infante, lighting design by Jay Aranda, costumes by Twinkle Zamora, musical direction by Ceejay Javier and vocal coaching by ManMan Angsico.

With an amazing cast, incredible dancing and a gripping tale of hope and self-discovery, In the Heights is destined to be Manila’s newest hit. The New York Times calls it, “A musical about chasing your dreams and finding your true home, with enough energy to light up the George Washington Bridge. A singular new sensation!”

For details, call 892-7078 or visit www.atlantisproductionsinc.com.