‘In the Heights’ to thrill Sydney this summer
This summer, the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall will be transformed into a vibrant Manhattan street corner for the long-awaited Sydney return of In the Heights, the four-time Tony Award-winning musical from one of America’s most acclaimed writers and producers, Lin-Manuel Miranda (Moana, Hamilton).
Combining the sounds and rhythms of salsa, soul, hip-hop and merengue with explosive street dance and rap, this revolutionary musical has been a Broadway smash hit since its debut in 2008. Uplifting and energising, In the Heights takes audiences on a journey into the lives of the residents of Washington Heights – a New York City neighbourhood on the brink of change – and in the process poignantly captures what it means to chase your dreams while staying connected to your community.
The characters of Washington Heights grapple with love, lust, identity and ambition – from Usnavi: the first generation Dominican-American kiosk owner facing rising rents and gentrification, to Nina: forced by poverty to drop out of her Ivy-league school, and Benny: the ambitious wannabe entrepreneur. All the while, the promise of a life-changing lottery ticket hangs in the air.
Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance Olivia Ansell said, “In the Heights will thrill audiences this summer. The wit of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s lyrics and playful dexterity of a Grammy Award-winning, rap-infused Latin score, together with an all-Australian cast, shows us what a real modern musical should be. This exhilarating production filled with heart, energy and a melting pot of cultures will take over the Concert Hall with enough salsa-fuelled sass to leave you begging for more.”
These Sydney Opera House performances as part of Sydney Festival follow a hugely popular sell-out season at the Hayes Theatre Co. earlier this year, which saw tickets disappear before the opening night. Directed by Luke Joslin and produced by Blue Saint Productions in association with Neil Gooding, In the Heights at the Sydney Opera House features a diverse cast of exceptional Australian performers who deliver an exhilarating and moving production.
Featured artists include Stephen Lopez (Usnavi), Joe Kalou (Benny), Olivia Vasquez (Vanessa) and Luisa Scrofani (Nina).
The performing company includes Marty Alix, Monique Montez, Libby Asciak, Alexander Palacio, Ana Maria Belo, Margi de Ferranti, Richard Valdez, Stephen Tannos, Will Centurion, Michelle Rozario, Samantha Bruzzese, Romina Villafranca, Keanu Gonzales, Romina Villafranca and Dayton Tavares.
Nominated for an impressive 13 Tony Awards in 2008, In the Heights is an unique musical experience that will leave audiences uplifted and tapping their toes.
The musical will run January 16-20, 2019. Tickets go on sale today, September 28. For more information, visit www.sydneyoperahouse.com.
Photo: In the Heights being performed at the Hayes Theatre Co. earlier this year. Photo by Grant Leslie.