RIALTO CHATTER: Miranda To Exit 'HEIGHTS' 2/15

Various online reports are indicating that Tony Winner Lin-Manuel Miranda will play his final performance as "Usnavi" in his acclaimed Broadway hit, IN THE HEIGHTS on Sunday, February 15th, 2009 at 7pm. 

IN THE HEIGHTS opened to critical acclaim, going on to win four 2008 Tony Awards (Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations), and garnering 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.

Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman, the lead producers of the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical IN THE HEIGHTS, announced on January 8th in a statement, the recoupment of the show's $10 million investment after running only 10 months (337 performances) since opening on Broadway Sunday, March 9, 2008, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street).

In The Heights broke the house record at the Richard Rodgers Theatre set by Disney's Tarzan the week of December 28, 2008, earning $1,121,695. IN THE HEIGHTS then topped its own record the week of January 4, 2009, earning $1,136,062.

IN THE HEIGHTS has a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, is conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and direction by 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.

IN THE HEIGHTS stars Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, Robin De Jesús, Mandy Gonzalez, Marcy Harriell, Christopher Jackson, Priscilla Lopez, Olga Merediz, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rick Négron, and Seth Stewart leading a cast of 28 that features Tony Chiroldes, Rosie Lani Fiedelman, Afra Hines, Marcus Paul James, Nina LaFarga, Doreen Montalvo, Javier Muñoz, Krysta Rodriguez, Eliseo Román, Luis Salgado, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Rickey Tripp, Michael Balderrama, Joshua Henry, Stephanie Klemons, Jon Rua, and Elisa 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: Tuesday and Sunday at 7pm, Wednesday at 8pm, Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.

For more information visit, www.intheheightsthemusical.com.

Photo by Pablo Pimienta