Video: Welcome Home! The Cast of IN THE HEIGHTS Brings the Barrio Back to NYC

Paciencia y fe! The wait is just a little bit longer for the return of  In the Heights at New York City Center. Leading the cast are Tony Award winner Natalie Venetia Belcon (Claudia), Jaci Calderon (Nina), Ashley De La Rosa (Vanessa), Linedy Genao (Daniela), Ishmael Gonzalez (Sonny), Ivan Hernandez (Kevin), Cedric Leiba Jr (Piragüero), Matte Martinez (Usnavi), Aaron James McKenzie (Benny), Ilia Isorelýs Paulino (Carla), and Veronica Vazquez-Jackson (Camila).  

The cast also includes Gabi Campo, Adriel Flete, Amanda K. Lopez, Kate Louissaint, Ángel Lozada, Yani Marin, Alora Tonielle Martinez, Bianca Leticia Medina, Sael Antonio Nuñez, Cristian ”Chino” Rodriguez, Kiki Rodriguez, SeQuoiia , Michael Anthony Sylvester, and Ricardo A. Zayas.

The 2008 Tony Award-winning musical unfolds over three hot July days in New York City’s Washington Heights as bodega owner Usnavi and his neighbors navigate the meaning of home in a rapidly changing neighborhood. Directed by David Mendizábal with Music Direction by Alejandro Senior and choreography by Mayte Natalio, this gala concert production underscores the show’s lasting cultural resonance and introduces its story and score to a new generation of audiences. 

“I think there’s just a real alignment of vision and what it means for all of us in the ensemble and the cast and the creative team to be doing the show right now in this moment where it feels important to continue to show positive images of Latina community and the resilience of our community. So it’s very special,” explained Mendizábal.

Featuring music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegría Hudes, In the Heights blends hip-hop, Latin rhythms, and traditional Broadway sounds to tell a multigenerational story about family, ambition, and belonging.

“[This show] means everything. It changed my life,” said Genao. “I saw myself represented on stage for the first time. And so to be that for a younger generation and more to come means everything.”