In the Heights: Musical cast

In the Heights Cast - Broadway musical

Cast and Creative Team Highlights.

Principal Roles Across Major Productions.

• Usnavi. Lin-Manuel Miranda (2007-2009 Broadway), Javier Muñoz (2009 Broadway), Sam Mackay (2015 London), Anthony Ramos (2021 film), Lin-Manuel Miranda again at the 2023 reunion.
• Nina. Mandy Gonzalez (Broadway), Claudia Kariuki (London transfer), Leslie Grace (film), Vanessa Sears (2024 U.S. tour).
• Vanessa. Karen Olivo (Broadway), Christina Modestou (London), Melissa Barrera (film), Linedy Genao (2023 reunion).
• Benny. Christopher Jackson (Broadway), David Bedella (London), Corey Hawkins (film), Noah J. Ricketts (Kennedy Center concert).
• Abuela Claudia. Olga Merediz dominated Broadway and film, with powerhouse vocals unchanged.
• Sonny. Robin de Jesús (Broadway), Damian Buhagiar (London), Gregory Diaz IV (film).
• Daniela. Andréa Burns (Broadway), Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (London), Daphne Rubin-Vega (film).
• Carla. Janet Dacal (Broadway), Aimie Atkinson (London), Stephanie Beatriz (film).
• Kevin. Carlos Gomez (Broadway), David Baida (London), Jimmy Smits (film), Eden Espinosa played a gender-flipped Kevin at a 2023 workshop.
• Camila. Priscilla Lopez (Broadway), Eve Polycarpou (London), Olga Merediz alternated in workshops before settling as Abuela.
• Piragua Guy. Eliseo Román (Broadway and reunion), Lin-Manuel Miranda (film cameo).

Creative Leaders.

• Director. Thomas Kail shaped every Broadway incarnation and advised the film.
• Choreography. Andy Blankenbuehler fused salsa footwork with crisp street styles.
• Music Supervisor. Alex Lacamoire refined the pulse, assisted by Bill Sherman.
• Scenic Design. David Korins built the iconic bodega façade and rotating fire-escape grid.
• Costumes. Paul Tazewell dressed vibrant cottons, later updated for the film by Mitchell Travers.
• Lighting. Howell Binkley used saturated ambers to mimic humid Manhattan nights.
• Sound. Acme Sound’s Oscar-winning engineer Tony Smolenski III balanced rap with brass.
• Hair and Wigs. Charles LaPointe crafted Nina’s curls and Daniela’s towering beehive.
• Orchestrations. Lacamoire and Sherman layered güiro, trombone, and hip-hop beats in tight charts.

Recent Ensemble Accolades.

The 2024 touring cast won the Equity Foundation Award for Best Ensemble.
London’s 2015 troupe received the Olivier for Outstanding Achievement in Music.
The 2023 reunion benefited Broadway Cares, raising 1.2 million dollars in one night.
High-school performers across 27 states staged licensed versions during 2024-2025 season.

Backstage Heroes.

• Stage Manager: Cue maestro Charles Means logged 1,117 consecutive Broadway performances.
• Dance Captain: Stephanie Klemons maintained choreography integrity on tour and film set.
• Dialect Coach: Betsy Aidem ensured authentic Uptown cadences for international casts.
• Fight Director: J. David Brimmer staged safe yet tense blackout scuffles.
• Intimacy Coordinator: Ita O’Brien joined the 2021 film, setting new Broadway standards.

Legacy in Numbers.