Janet Dacal Steps in for Sick Star at IN THE HEIGHTS at Actors' Playhouse in Miami

According to the Miami Herald's theater critic Christine Dolen, Broadway actress Janet Dacal flew out to Florida to star last-minute in Actors' Playhouse's production of In the Heights after the lead Sarah Amengual was taken ill.

Read the original report here.

Dacal originated the role of 'Carla' for the off-Broadway and Broadway productions of In the Heights and played 'Nina' in later performances. The actress appeared in Actors' Playhouse's The Last Five Years earlier this season.

Dacal rehearsed with Actors' Playhouse all day yesterday, March 23, and performed for the first time last night. She will continue to step in today for the In the Heights the matinee, and next Wednesday's evening performance.

Actors' Playhouse will present Broadway's Tony Award-winning Best Musical In The Heights at the Miracle Theatre through April 6, 2013.

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.

The Actors' Playhouse's production of In The Heights marks the first time ever members of the original Broadway and National tour casts will join together with Miami's finest talent to bring this regional production to South Florida audiences.

The principal cast is comprised of South Florida's own Carbonell, Silver Palm, and Silver Knight Award-winning actor Nick Duckart (Actors' Playhouse: Godspell, Joseph..., Next to Normal, The Color of Desire) as Usnavi, OSCAR CHEDA (1st National Tour: In The Heights) as Kevin, Marcus Paul James (Broadway: Rent, In The Heights) as Benny, Sarah Amengual (Broadway: West Side Story, Actors' Playhouse: Next to Normal) as Nina, RAYNER G. GARRANCHAN (City Theatre Shorts for Kids, The ALLIANCE THEATRE Lab's Home Sweet Funeral Home) as Sonny, Doreen Montalvo (Broadway: In The Heights) as Abuela Claudia, CHRISTIE PRADES as Vanessa, television star DENISE CELINA SANCHEZ (TV: Esta Noche Tu Night, Sabado Gigante) as Camila, and Elise Santora (Broadway: In The Heights, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Capeman, Man of La Mancha, first national tour of In The Heights) as Daniela, ALICIA TAYLOR TOMASKO (Broadway: In The Heights) as Carla, Jose-Luis Lopez (Broadway: In The Heights) as Grafitti Pete, and Henry Gainza (Actors' Playhouse: Godspell, Spelling Bee) as Piragua Guy.

Ensemble members include: Renata Eastlick, Rosie Fiedelman (Broadway: In The Heights), REBECCA KRITZER (1st National Tour: In The Heights), Dexter Carr (Broadway: Bring it On), JIMMY A. ARGUELLO, Javier Muñoz (Broadway: In The Heights), Ivore Rousell and ERIKA NAVARRO.

The creative team for In The Heights includes Director David Arisco, Choreographer Stephanie Klemmons (based on Original Choreography by Andy Blankenbeuhler), Musical Director Manny Schvartzman, Assistant Director Henry Gainza, Scenic Designer Sean McClelland, Costume Designer Ellis Tillman, Lighting Designer Patrick Tennent and Sound Designer Alexander Herrin.

Tickets may be purchased through the box office at 305-444-9293 or online at www.actorsplayhouse.org.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride