TV: Kenny Ortega Talks IN THE HEIGHTS Film & More

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Kenny Ortega will direct a big screen adaptation of the Tony Award winning musical In the Heights, according to Variety. The film will be the director's follow-up to Michael Jackson's This is It.  The film will be made by Universal Pictures starring the show's creator and leading performer Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Here, Ortega talks to the press in California, in advance of the show's California debut. Stay tuned for more coverage of this event from BroadwayWorld.com!

Variety recently reported that Marc Klein has taken over writing the adaption of In the Heights for the big screen. The paper also reported that Klein will be working closely with Lin-Manuel Miranda who will be reprising his starring role as they aim to start filming this August, in New York City. No other details have yet been revealed other than the expected addition of an additional song, written for the film.

Meryl Poster will produce alongside the musical's producers, Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman Willis. 

In the Heights opened on Broadway to wide critical acclaim on March 9, 2008, and continues to play the Richard Rodgers Theatre. In addition to winning the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show's creator, won the Tony Award for Best Music and Lyrics; Andy Blankenbuehler won for Best Choreography; and Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman won for Best Orchestrations. The original cast recording won the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, and Universal Pictures has acquired the rights to produce a feature film based on the smash hit musical.

With a book by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee Quiara Alegría Hudes and conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, In the Heights is directed by Joseph A. Callaway Award-winner and Tony Award nominee Thomas Kail. The music arrangements are byAlex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman. In the Heights also features Tony-nominated scenic design (Anna Louizos), costumes (Paul Tazewell), lighting (Howell Binkley), and sound (Acme Sound Partners).

For more information and tickets to the Tour engagement, visit http://www.intheheightsthemusical.com/tour-ticket-info.html