Winner of Four Tony Awards
Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the current smash hit Hamilton, brings New York City’s Washington Heights to life in his first groundbreaking work. With spirited characters, pulsing choreography, and an award winning Latin- hip-hop-infused score, In the Heights won 4 Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Musical, and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2009.
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Archive: In the Heights
Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes
Directed by Nathaniel Shaw
"Pure Broadway... Virginia Rep is setting the stage on fire"
"Impassioned, invigorating...With this pitch-perfect, dynamic production that transcends generational and cultural boundaries, Virginia Rep breaks new ground."
"Exceptionally staged by Virginia Repertory Theatre's artistic director, Nathaniel Shaw, this production is firing on all cylinders, charming from the opening title number onward. "
"Joyful exuberance... Excellent production...
Under Nathaniel Shaw’s high-octane direction and on a stunning set by Anna Louizos that duplicates the Broadway design down to the slightest urban rips, streaks and smears, the cast of nearly two dozen rocks the house"
"A vibrant, vivid ensemble brings Latino flavor and theatrical fervor to this spirited, superb staging."
Composer/Lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda and Writer Quiara Alegría Hudes
"This scrappy little musical about chasing your dreams and finding your true home is Mr. Miranda’s own dream come true." New York Times
Cast members Arielle Jacobs, JJ Caruncho, Shea Gomez, and Josh Marin
Arielle Jacobs (Vanessa)
Broadway: Wicked (Nessarose), In The Heights (Nina Rosario in the closing cast, opposite creator Lin-Manuel Miranda). Original tour casts: Disney’s Australian production of Aladdin (Princess Jasmine), In the Heights (Nina), Disney's High School Musical (Gabriella). Off-Broadway, she has starred in two world-premiere plays by Pulitzer-winning playwright and director Nilo Cruz: Farhad or the Secret of Being (Farhad) and Sotto Voce (Lucila). Regional: Into the Woods (Baker's Wife, opposite Tituss Burgess as the Witch and JJ Caruncho as the Baker), Rent (Mimi), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Julia), and The Rose of Corazon (Rosa).
JJ Caruncho (Usnavi)
This is a story about love. Dreams. Family. The meaning of “home”. About the incredible beauty and heroism there is in every life. It’s about all of us. It’s about you. And it’s for you. I’m glad you’re here. Past roles include: Hamlet, The Baker in Into the Woods, and more Off-Broadway, regionally and internationally. As a singer/musician, JJ has sung/played at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center, from LA to New Orleans and everywhere in between. JJ has performed and recorded albums with Wynton Marsalis and Tituss Burgess.
Shea Gomez (Nina)
Shea is thrilled to be making her Virginia Rep debut! She was recently seen in the National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (directed and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler). Other credits include Moisés Kaufman's Carmen at Tectonic Theatre Project, iLLA at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and original cast of Sam Willmott's Standardized Testing: The Musical.
Josh Marin (Benny)
Josh is over the moon with excitement to be a part of this incredible cast, crew and production team! He currently lives in New York. Credits include: local commercials, Spielberg’s “Lincoln”, Georg in Spring Awakening, Tamino in The Magic Flute (adaptation), Tommy Djilas in The Music Man, Mr. Black in The Wild Party, Chad Deity in The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Harpo in The Color Purple and, most recently, Flick in Violet.
PLAYBILL
Press Release
Media
In the Heights preview video on Virginia this Morning, WTVR Channel 6
Dedication
With great respect and affection, we dedicate this production to the memory of Clarence L. Townes Jr. As a co-founder and Executive Director of Richmond Renaissance, Chairman of the Richmond Public School Board, and a lifelong advocate for his alma mater, Virginia Union University, Mr. Townes was one of RVA’s pioneer bridge builders. He came to know and respect our theatre when his daughter June was among the stars of our production of Ain’t Misbehavin’. He viewed us as a vital player in downtown redevelopment, and assisted our efforts time and time again. His intelligence and can-do generosity are greatly missed.