Get Set to Soar IN THE HEIGHTS at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre

The Big Apple has never felt more like a small town than in Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit musical "In the Heights." The Pennington Players proudly present this Tony Award-winning show at Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre Fridays, Oct. 14 and 21 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 15 and 22 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Oct. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Oct 14. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

"In the Heights" stars a group of neighbors - and the close-knit Washington Heights community they call home. It's a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams, and uncertainties. Set over the course of three summer days, the show centers around Usnavi, a bodega owner who looks after the aging Cuban lady next door, pines for the gorgeous girl working in the neighboring beauty salon, and dreams of winning the lottery so that he can return to his native Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Nina, Usnavi's childhood friend, has returned from her first year at college with unsettling news for her parents, who have spent their savings to build a better life for their daughter. Sharing the trials of a heat wave, a power failure, and the sudden death of a beloved neighbor, Usnavi and the other residents come to recognize what it truly means to be home.

Nominated for 13 Tony Awards in 2008, "In the Heights" was the winner of four: Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations. It won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album and was also nominated for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The show has toured extensively in the U.S. and abroad, where its universal message connects with audiences everywhere.

Says Pennington Players Director Kyrus Keenan Westcott, "We are thrilled to be bringing this show to the Kelsey stage. The music is fun, the dancing is intense, and the story will capture you from the opening note. Words cannot describe how excited I am for people to see this."

The show stars Terrence Berry of Asbury Park as Usnavi; Alexandra Cusumano of Manalapan as Vanessa; Phil Solomon of East Brunswick as Benny; Mimi B. Francis of North Brunswick as Abuela Claudia; Tara Keelen of Flemington as Nina; LaJuan Miller of Plainfield as Sonny; Lorraine Perri of Florence as Daniela; Brittany Rivera of Hamilton as Carla; Joe Rodriguez of New York City as Piragua Guy; Jake Van Horn of Levittown, Pa., as Graffiti Pete; Elio Lleo of West New York, NJ, as Kevin Rosario; and Jen Rosario-Kent of Cherry Hill as Camila Rosario.

The ensemble features Ray Alexander of Burlington, Tia Brown of Lawrence, Christian Confalone of South Brunswick, Ashley DiStefano DeAntonio of East Brunswick, Mariah King of Jersey City, Marshall McGuire of Ewing, Taylor McQueen of Springfield, Kelsey Rivera of Perth Amboy, Sasha Saco of Hamilton, Dani Tucci-Juraga of Morrisville, Pa., Rob Veith of Mount Laurel, Donte Wilder of Newark, and Shan Williams of Ewing.

The creative team includes Producers Vicki Kaiser and Judi Parrish, Director Kyrus Keenan Westcott, Stage Manager Vicki Kaiser, Assistant Stage Manager Vianna Fagel, Music Director Mike Gilch, Choreographer Rachel Tovar, Lighting Designer Star McCloud, Sound Designer Nick Mastalesz, and Set Designer Bryan Schendlinger. Properties are by Dottie Farina and costumes are by Sally Page.

Tickets are $20 for all and may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.

Ensemble members include, back row, from left, Marshall McGuire, Christian Confalone, Shan Williams, and Donte Wilder; front row, from left, Kelsey Rivera, Ashley DiStefano DeAntonio and Robert Veith. "In The Heights" is presented by The Pennington Players at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre Oct. 14 to 23. For tickets, call 609-570-3333 or order online at www.kelseytheatre.net. Photo by KyrusKeenan Photography.

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