In The Heights, Playhouse Stage Company’s main stage production at Park Playhouse, to premiere June 28
Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical by the creator of Hamilton
ALBANY, N.Y. (June 24, 2019) — Playhouse Stage Company is proud to present In The Heights, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda (the creator of Hamilton) at Park Playhouse in Washington Park from June 28 to July 27. The official press opening is July 2.
A uniquely American story about what it means to be home, In the Heights tells the story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood, a place where the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and the struggle to decide which traditions to honor and which ones to leave behind.
“The magic of Park Playhouse continues in Washington Park this summer with In The Heights,” said Owen M. Smith, producing artistic director. “This show was Lin-Manuel Miranda’s breakout success as a lyricist and composer before Hamilton. We’re thrilled to have Michael LoPorto, a Park Playhouse veteran, as director and delighted with the amazing cast and crew assembled.”
In The Heights will be directed by Michael LoPorto, choreographed by Ashley-Simone Kircher and Joey Rosario, and under the musical direction of Brian Axford.
Lawn seating at the lakehouse amphitheater is always free and first come, first served. For premium reserved tickets and more information, visit parkplayhouse.com or call the Playhouse Box Office at (518) 434–0776.
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About Park Playhouse: Park Playhouse augments the quality of life for a diverse audience in the Capital District by producing FREE theatre in an outdoor setting, mounting high quality productions at venues throughout the region and providing arts education programs to young people in the community. We make theatre an all-inclusive art form, accessible to people from all walks of life and socio-economic backgrounds. parkplayhouse.com
Cast biographies:
DEVIN CORTEZ* (Benny) is a Los Angeles native returning to Park Playhouse for his third season. He is a proud graduate of Emerson College’s BFA musical theater program in Boston. Previous Park Playhouse credits include DAMN YANKEES (Joe Hardy), THE PAJAMA GAME (Sid Sorokin) and SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. Devin just finished premiering Tony winner Warren Carlyle’s new musical ¡HAVANA! as Miguelón on NCL. Other regional credits include WEST SIDE STORY (Bernardo) and DISNEY’S NEWSIES (Race). TV/Film credits include “I Love You, Man” (Young Peter), “Disney’s Skyrunners” (Jake), and “Cougartown” (Mailboy). Devin is a proud AEA and SAG-AFTRA member. Special thanks to the Park team for the opportunity and his family for their endless support. Philippians 4:13 www.devincortez.com
LUIS HERRERA (Sonny) is thrilled to be making his debut at the Park Playhouse! Regional Credits include: the Chicago Premiere of IN THE HEIGHTS (Sonny- Paramount Theater), ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Papa Ge- Porchlight Music Theater), BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (Ritchie Valens- Timberlake Playhouse), UNDER A RAINBOW FLAG (Bender- Pride Films and Plays) ; Luis has collaborated with the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, Revolución Latina, Pregones/PRTT, Broadway Bodies, Theo Ubique, and Chicago’s Victory Gardens Theater. Luis can also be heard on four MTI Student-Edition reference recordings. Thank you to God and family for being his foundation and inspiration. Also, thank you to Gregg Baker Management. Follow his journey @luisherreraofficial
BRANDON JONES (The Piragua Guy) is thrilled to be apart of IN THE HEIGHTS! Other Park shows include, AVENUE Q (Gary Coleman), DAMN YANKEES (Smokey), RAGTIME (Booker T), DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID (Sebastian), SPELLING BEE (Mitch). He has performed Off-Broadway, in National tours, and regional theaters across the country. He would like to thank the production team, cast, family and friends for all their hard work and support. Follow Brandon on Instagram: @brandon_l_jones
JOYEL KALEEL (Carla) is thrilled to be sharing the stage with such a talented group of actors. Other credits include: DREAMGIRLS, HAIRSPRAY, CROWNS, BIG RIVER, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and more. She would like to thank her friends at Jean Paul Spa for their love and support, to Amanda Serrano (Daniela) her best friend on and off stage, and special thanks to Pumba for always being there through the sharps, the flats, and the vibrato xoxo.
ADAM JAMES KING* (Usnavi) is incredibly thankful to be joining the Park Playhouse family and to be telling this important story. Television/Film credits: “Ballers” (HBO), “Quantico” (ABC), “The Deuce” (HBO), “Knightman” (Dir. Jun Sekiya). Theatre Credits: DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Gaston), INTO THE WOODS (Cinderella’s Prince), DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID (King Triton), BYE BYE BIRDIE (Albert Peterson), ANNA IN THE TROPICS (Santiago), LENIN’S SHOE (Kebab). Adam is a proud alumni of Ithaca College BFA musical theatre program and an Alumni of the LA Stunt Training Center. Adam would like to thank Mom, Dad, CJ, Andrew, and Claire for their endless support and unshakable love. 1 Corinthians 16:13
TARA KOSTMAYER* (Vanessa) is truly honored for the chance to share in this story with such an incredible cast and crew for her Park Playhouse debut! Off-Broadway: A CHORUS LINE (NYCC Encores!). Regional: DISNEY’S CRUISE LINE, 42ND ST (SDMT), OJO (La Jolla Playhouse), WEST SIDE STORY (Lamb’s Player’s Theatre). Proud UCSD graduate. Endless love and thanks to God, family, FSE, the girls, the DCL and Muir Musical crews and Leo for their constant love and support. @tarakostmayer
JOHNNY MARTINEZ (Kevin Rosario) is a native of Brooklyn and has lived in Saratoga Springs for the last 14 years. There he is co-director of Tango Fusion Dance, teaching all Latin and ballroom dances. Recently he performed in the Radius Play Festival, Berkshire Mass. played Kevin Rosario in SLOC’s production of IN THE HEIGHTS, choreographed JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at HMT and was in HAMLET at Cap Rep. Other roles include WEST SIDE STORY (Bernardo- US & European tours), THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Gomez Addams), CHICAGO (Billy Flynn), and DRACULA’S GRANDMOTHER (Bram Stoker). Regional theater: DAMN YANKEES, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, CINDERELLA, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, A CHORUS LINE. This is his Park Playhouse debut. Thanks to everyone. Tangofusiondance.com
LEYLAND PATRICK (Graffiti Pete) is 24 years old and, is more than excited to be playing the role of Graffiti Pete. Some of his previous works include, IN THE HEIGHTS (Benny- Playhouse on Park, 2018), BRING IT ON! (Cameron-CmPac, 2015). “I’m so excited to be sharing the stage with such an amazing cast! Everyone is so talented and I love the energy they all put towards this show. Break legs everyone!!”
ARIANA PAPALEO (Nina) is thrilled to be back at Park Playhouse as Nina in IN THE HEIGHTS! She is currently studying at NYU Tisch School of the Arts in Drama. Previous credits at Park Playhouse include; DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID (Ariel), OLIVER (Nancy), THE PAJAMA GAME (Gladys), RAGTIME, SHREK THE MUSICAL. She would like to thank her family and her Park Playhouse family for their endless support. She also is incredibly grateful to yet again be in a show with her sister Alexis Papaleo.
AMY JO PHILLIPS* (Abuela Claudia) is thrilled to make her Park Playhouse debut. Broadway: Show Boat (Queenie) , Tom Sawyer. National Tours: South Pacific (Bloody Mary), Tap Dance Kid (Emma), The Me Nobody Knows and Porgy & Bess. Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors and Pretty Faces. Other Credits include: In The Heights, All of the women in Ain’t Misbehavin’, Man of LaMancha, Godspell, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Nunsense and Jesus Christ Superstar. Amy can be seen, and or heard on, Power, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Gotham, The last OG, 30 Rock, commercials for Levis, Mobile and McDonalds, and the soundtracks for Show Boat, Tom Sawyer, St. Louis Woman, and Pretty Faces. Amy wishes to thank all who have been there along the way especially her parents (miss you both) and God, because He is truly amazing.
AMANDA SERRANO (Daniela) is returning to the Park Playhouse stage as Daniela in In the Heights?! No me diga! Previous regional credits include LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Chiffon), WEST SIDE STORY (Anita), IN THE HEIGHTS (Daniela), HAIRSPRAY (Dynamite), SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Woman 2) and DAMN YANKEES (Gloria Thorpe). Amanda has previously been a New York Lottery spokesperson, calling the winning numbers on television. Amanda would like to thank her parents for their constant love and support. Joy, you will always be the Carla to my Daniela and Alex, my wonderful fiancé, you will always be the bee to my honey. I can’t wait to spend my life with you. @theamandaserrano
LA SWORD (Camilla) holds an MFA in Musical Theatre from UC–Irvine. She recently appeared at Seacoast Rep in IN THE HEIGHTS (Camila), Pines Dinner Theatre in CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES (Mavis), Gaylord Resort in TRADITIONS (Mrs. Claus), and Halton Theatre in HAIRSPRAY (Female Authority), ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (Dolly Tate), BYE BYE BIRDIE (Doris MacAfee), and MY FAIR LADY (Mrs. Pearce). Her tv and film projects include “The Outsider” and “Watchmen” for HBO, “Insatiable”, “A&E Investigates”, and “The Angry Man”. To the amazing creative team, talented company, and my family, Para Siempre!
* — Denotes actor appearing courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association, the professional union of actors and stage managers in America.
