Photo Flash: Orlando Shakes Presents IN THE HEIGHTS!

Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF's production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights runs from September 5 - October 7, 2018. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

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. In the Heights is the winner of the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestrations.

"This production brings our theater an incredible opportunity to feature a diverse cast of Latinx performers from Orlando and nationwide," says Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. "Lin-Manuel Miranda has created a community of characters whose stories are universal: stories of family, of love, of running a small business, and reaching for your dreams. It's definitely going to touch our audience's hearts."

Orlando Shakes' In the Heights features:

• Ernie Pruneda* as Usnavi de la Vega. Past credits include Sister Act: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Clopin), Tarzan(Terk), Les Miserables (Marius), Peter Pan (Cecco), All Shook Up (Dean Hyde), White Christmas (Ezekiel), and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Ritchie Valens) and many other appearances and performances across the country and at sea.
• Alina Alcántara as Abuela Claudia. A Music Business alumna from Berklee College of Music, some of Alina's recent credits include El Wiz (Orlando Fringe),Madagascar: A Musical Adventure (Orlando Rep), and her Orlando Shakes debut in Man of La Mancha.
• Iliana Garcia* as Nina. She was last seen as Carla in the John W. Engeman Theater's production of In the Heights. Other Regional credits: In the Heights(Nina, Vanessa), You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally), Fiddler on the Roof (Chava), Hot Mikado (Yum-Yum), the collegiate premiere of Pop! (Valerie), and the premiere of Resident Alien (Sveta). TV/Film: Around & Around, "Blue Bloods." For more information, please visit: www.ilianagarcia.net.
• Deon'te Goodman makes his Orlando Shakes debut as Benny. NYC credits: Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical, The Prince of Egypt (Stage Reading). Regional credits: Songbird (Two River Theatre), Caroline, or Change (Cape Fear Regional Theatre), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Florida Repertory Theatre), and Stop Kiss (B Street Theatre). He has also landed principle roles in many operas, including Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, Philip Glass'Galileo Galilei, and Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. www.deontegoodman.com

Additional casting includes Juan Cantú* as Kevin, Leesa Castaneda as Camila, Nina V. Negron* as Vanessa, Zachary Infante* as Sonny, Vicky Campadonico as Daniela, Kayla Alvarez as Carla, Erick Ariel Sureda as Graffiti Pete, and Bert Rodriguez* as Piragua Guy. The ensemble includes Melanie Farber, Nicolette Quintero, Alejandra Martinez, Cherise James, Maiky Ayala, Kyle Laing, Joshian Morales*, Rico Lastrapes, Carlos Pereyo, Ana Martinez Medina, and Mark V. Harriott.

Director Nick DeGruccio returns to Orlando Shakes after directing Man of La Mancha in 2017. Credits include: Guys and Dolls and In The Heights (TUTS), Next To Normal (La Mirada Theatre, San Diego Music Theatre), Putting It Together, A Year With Frog and Toad (South Coast Repertory), The Last Five Years (LA Premiere, Pasadena Playhouse),Carrie (UCLA), First Date (Southern CA Premiere, La Mirada Theatre),Company (Cabrillo Music Theatre), A Christmas Memory (The Laguna Playhouse), The Laramie Project (LA Premiere: Colony Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Ovation Award for Direction), Jekyll & Hyde (Cabrillo Music Theatre: Ovation Award for Direction) and 1776 (Musical Theatre West/Performance Riverside/Cabrillo: Ovation Award for Direction), The Andrews Brothers (Coyote StageWorks, Desert League Award for Direction), Caught (World Premiere, Zephyr Theatre), RENT, La Cage Aux Folles, The Andrews Brothers (Musical Theatre West), Cinderella(The Ordway). Havok Theatre Company: LA Premieres of Dog Sees God, Kiss of the Spider Woman (Ovation Award for Production), Thrill Me and The Story Of My Life. LA Premiere of Side Show (Colony Theatre), The Spitfire Grill (Laguna Playhouse), Zanna, Don't! (West Coast Ensemble: LADCC Award for Direction), Side By Side By Sondheim (The Rubicon Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse), Bad Apples (Rubicon Theatre: World Premiere), Beehive (El Portal Theatre),Guys and Dolls (MTW, Cabrillo), The Full Monty (San Diego Music Theatre). 2008 LADCC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre, BackStage Award for Direction for an Outstanding Season. www.nickdegruccio.com

The artistic team also includes Assistant Director Eric Zivot, Musical Director Josh Ceballos, Choreographer Kim Ball, Scenic Designer Jim Hunter, Lighting Designer Bert Scott, Costume Designer Christopher Vergara, Wig Designer/Stylist Ron Wolek, Sound Designers Craig Beyrooti and Trevor Peters, Audio Engineer Britt Sandusky, AEA Stage Manager Laura Lockner, and AEA Assistant Stage Manager Emily DeNardo.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association.

Publicity photos by Dynamite Films, info@dynamitefilms.com, feature Alina Alcántara, Iliana Garcia, Deon'te Goodman, and Ernie Pruneda for Orlando Shakes' production of In the Heights. Costume design by Christopher Vergara. Graffiti by Danny Rock, @dannyrock148.

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