Lincolnshire, IL – Marriott Theatre kicks off its electrifying 2024 season with IN THE HEIGHTS, the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical from the creator of Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes, directed by James Vásquez (Marriott Theatre: Damn Yankees; Old Globe: HAIR, The Rocky Horror Show; Goodspeed: Cabaret), and choreographed by William Carlos Angulo (Marriott Theatre: The Sound of Music; The MUNY: Legally Blonde; National Tour: May We All)with Music Direction by Jeff Award Winner Ryan T. Nelson. IN THE HEIGHTS explores three days in New York’s Washington Heights, a neighborhood 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 you leave behind. IN THE HEIGHTS previews January 24, opens Wednesday, January 31 at 7:30pm and runs through March 17, 2024.
Washington Heights – 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. Through struggles and triumphs, it also shows us that despite the challenges we face, we must hold onto our dreams and traditions as we strive towards a better future. It’s a reminder that even amid change, the human spirit and resilience can shine through.
“IN THE HEIGHTS is about family – both chosen and not,” said director James Vásquez. “It zooms in on a neighborhood, maybe totally unlike our own, and celebrates the lives of this little community. But by the end, we’ve been welcomed into that neighborhood – that family – and as theater does so beautifully, it brings us all together and leaves us all feeling a part of something special.”
IN THE HEIGHTS will star Joseph Morales, who played in the First Broadway National Tour of In the Heights as Usnavi. He also performed as Hamilton in Hamilton with the Original Chicago Company/Original Philip Company. Co-stars include Paola V. Hernández as “Vanessa” (Marriott Theatre debut; Broadway at Music Circus, 20th Anniversary Tour: Rent); Addie Morales as “Nina” (Marriott Theatre: The Sound of Music; Drury Lane Theatre: Evita); Yasir Muhammad as “Benny” (Marriott Theatre: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream); Crissy Guerrero as “Abuela” (Marriott Theatre debut; La Mirada Theatre and Dallas Center: In the Heights); Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel as “Camilla” (Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Measure for Measure; Court Theatre: Fen, The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice and Electra; TV: “Fargo”, “Chicago Med”) and Rudy Martinez as “Kevin” (Oceanside Theatre: Man of La Mancha; The REV Theatre Co.: Anyone Can Whistle), with Jordan Arrendondo, Lillian Castillo, Andres J. DeLeon, Michelle Lauto, Wesley J. Barnes, Bryanna Ciera Colón, Carisa Gonzales, Natalia Nieves-Melchor, Justin Payton Nelson, Isa Ramirez, Alix Rhode, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Arik Vega and Phillip Wood.
The artistic team features Scenic Designer Arnel Sancianco, Costume Designer Harri Horsley, Lighting Designer Jesse Klug, Sound Designer Michel Daly, Props Designer Sally Zack, Conductor Noah Landis, Associate Choreographer Shani Talmor, Assistant Director Lorenzo Rush, Jr., Stage Manager Richard Strimer, Intimacy Director Katie Johannigman, Fight Choreographer Adrian Aguilar and Dialect Coach Cynthia Santos DeCure.
IN THE HEIGHTS is scheduled to run Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with select Thursday 1:00 p.m. shows. Ticket prices start at $60 (excluding tax and handling fees). Call for student, senior, and military discounts. To make a restaurant reservation, please call 847.634.0100. Reservations are strongly recommended. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or go to www.tickets.marriotttheatre.com. Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information.
