Photo Flash: First Look at Paramount Theatre's IN THE HEIGHTS in Aurora

Nominated in 2008 for 13 Tony Awards, taking home four including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestration, In the Heights is an exuberant contemporary musical that follows three days in the lives of residents living in New York's largely Hispanic Washington Heights neighborhood. Aurora's Paramount Theatre launched its third Broadway subscription series today with the first local professional staging of In the Heights, one of Broadway's most acclaimed contemporary musicals, a potent reminder of the importance of chasing one's dreams, and the show all of Chicago will be talking about this fall. Press opening is Saturday, September 14 at 8 p.m. Performances run through October 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Conceived and featuring music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, with a book by Pulitzer Prize- winner Quiara Alegría Hudes, In the Heights transports audiences to a Latino enclave on 183rdStreet in New York City where family bonds are strong and neighborhood ties are equally as binding. But change is in the air that will impact everyone. In the Heights is a story of dreams and sacrifices, loyalties and love, all taking place in one city block surrounded by millions. The pure energy of the barrio pulses with the poetry of rap, soaring ballads and powerful Latin-inspired grooves resulting in one of the most original scores to hit Broadway in years. In a community on the brink of change, full of hopes and dreams, the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you and which you leave In the Heights. Rated PG.

As always, top theater artists from Chicago and all over the country have been tapped to reward Paramount audiences with a breathtaking production of In the Heights. Rachel Rockwell, named "2012 Chicagoan of the Year in Theatre" by the Chicago Tribune, and director of Paramount's wildly acclaimed productions of Hair, Annie and The Music Man, will direct. The cast features Nick Demeris (Usnavi), Paula Scrofano (Abuela Claudia), Lillian Castillo (Carla), Keely Vasquez(Daniela), Ricardo Gutierrez (Kevin), Lucinda Johnston (Camila), Luis Herrera (Sonny), Jonathan Butler-Duplessis (Benny), Caitlainne Rose Gurreri (Vanessa), Christina Nieves (Nina), Kris Santiago (Graffiti Pete) and David Baida (Piragua Guy). Ensemble members are Missy Aguilar, Kasey Alfonso, William Carlos Angulo, Mary Joe Duggan, Courtney Landwerlen, Rachel Marie LaPorte, Eric Lewis, Yando Lopez, Terrance Martin, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Daniel Spagnuolo and Lauren Villegas.

The set is a beauty, a replica of the original Broadway design by Tony nominee Anna Louizos. Tom Vendafreddo (music director/conductor) will lead the Paramount Theatre Orchestra with live, lush renditions of the play's rich musical score. Paramount's In the Heights production team also includes Katie Spelman (choreographer), Elizabeth Flauto (costumes), Jesse Klug (lights), Jeff Dublinske (sound), Sarah Ross (props), DiAnne Morrisette (wigs), Rose Marie Packer (stage manager) and Beth Ellen Spencer (assistant stage manager).

Single tickets to In the Heights are also on sale for $36.90 to $49.90. For renewals, new subscriptions, single tickets and information, go to ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or visit the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 2 hours prior to evening performances.

Photo Credit: Liz Lauren

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