Javier Munoz to Play Usnavi in IN THE HEIGHTS

Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman, the producers of the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical In The Heights, announced today that Javier Muñoz will take over the role of "Usnavi" on Monday, February 16, 2009 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street). Javier Muñoz joined In The Heights for a reading in 2005 and has been involved ever since, in the ensemble and as understudy for "Usnavi" at the O'Neill Theater Workshop and in the 2006 Off-Broadway and current Broadway productions. Lin-Manuel Miranda's last performance will be Sunday February 15, 2009.

"Javi played "Usnavi" in those crucial moments when I needed to step out and watch the show as composer. He's evolved in tandem with the role and helped me to discover qualities and nuance in this character that I may not have otherwise known. I'm proud to be handing the hat over to such a talented man," said In The Heights' Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda.

"We didn't need to look beyond the In The Heights family to find our new "Usnavi." The role is so ingrained that Javier lives it onstage in a rich and powerful performance, however, his generosity of spirit as a human being is his greatest qualification for the role. The corner bodega could not be in better hands," said producer Jill Furman.

In The Heights is the winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Lin-Manuel Miranda won the 2008 Tony for Best Music and Lyrics, Andy Blankenbuehler won the 2008 Tony for Best Choreography, and Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Orchestrations. In The Heights began previews on Broadway Thursday, February 14, 2008, after a six-month award-winning 2007 Off-Broadway run. The musical opened on Broadway to critical acclaim Sunday, March 9, 2008, recouped its $10 million investment in 10 months (twice breaking the house record at the Richard Rodgers Theatre) and garnered a 2008 Grammy Award nomination for the original cast album. In November, 2008, Universal Pictures acquired the rights to produce a feature film based on In The Heights. With a book by Pulitzer Prize finalist Quiara Alegría Hudes and conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, In The Heights is directed by Joseph A. Callaway Award-winner Thomas Kail. Alex Lacamoire is music director and music arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman. In The Heights features a scenic design by Anna Louizos, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley and sound by Acme Sound Partners. In The Heights is produced by Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Jill Furman, Sander Jacobs, Robyn Goodman/Walt Grossman, Peter Fine and Sonny Everett/Mike Skipper with associate producers Ruth Hendel and Harold Newman.

Javier Muñoz made his Broadway debut with In The Heights. His Off-Broadway credits include In the Heights, The Porch (Ziad), and the 2006 New York Musical Theater Festival's All Is Love (Yellow Lover). His television work includes Nickelodeon's "Umizumis."

In The Heights stars Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, Robin de Jesús, Mandy Gonzalez, Marcy Harriell, Christopher Jackson, Priscilla Lopez, Olga Merediz, Javier Muñoz, Rick Négron and Seth Stewart leading a cast of 28 that features Tony Chiroldes, Noemi Del Rio, Rosie Lani Fiedelman, Marcus Paul James, Nina LaFarga, Doreen Montalvo, Krysta Rodriguez, Eliseo Román, Luis Salgado, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Rickey Tripp, Michael Balderrama, Blanca Camacho, Joshua Henry, Stephanie Klemons, Jose Luis Lopez, Jon Rua and Elise Santora.

In The Heights is about a vibrant and tight-knit community at the top of the island of Manhattan. The music pulses with the hopes and dreams of three generations as they struggle to forge an identity in a neighborhood on the brink of transition.

Tickets for In The Heights range from $41.50 to $121.50, and can be purchased at the Richard Rodgers Box Office or at www.ticketmaster.com. The playing schedule for In The Heights is as follows: Tuesdays and certain Sundays at 7pm, Wednesdays at 2pm and/or 8pm, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8pm, with matinees Saturdays and certain Sundays at 2pm.

In addition, two hours prior to each performance of In The Heights, a limited number of tickets will be sold by lottery for the front row of the Richard Rodgers Theatre at $26.50 per ticket. There is a limit of two tickets per person. The tickets must be paid for in cash and you must be present for the drawing.