Rubicon Theatre Company to Stage Summer Youth Production of IN THE HEIGHTS

Rubicon Theatre Company presents the summer youth production of the inspiring and exhilarating 2008 Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, actor-composer-lyricist of Broadway's sensational Hamilton. In the Heights opens Friday, August 5 and runs through Saturday, August 13.

Helmed by Education and Outreach Director BrIan McDonald, this hip and uplifting score is performed by the Musical Theatre Intensive students and features an 8-piece orchestra with Musical Direction by John Enrico Douglas and choreography by Carolanne Marano.

This vivid but universal story about home and change is set in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, 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.

Set over the course of three days, the story centers on Usnavi, a bodega owner who looks after an elderly Cuban neighbor and pines the beautiful young woman working in the nearby beauty salon. He dreams of winning the lottery and retiring to the Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, his childhood friend Nina has returned to the tight-knit community after being away for her first year in college, made possible by her parents' selfless sacrifice, but Nina harbors a surprising secret that could shatter all their dreams for the future. As the neighbors rally together in the face of change, romance and unexpected turns of fortune, the biggest struggle is deciding which traditions to take with you and which ones to leave behind.

The Musical Theatre Intensive is a four-week program designed to challenge serious musical theatre students in a professional setting. The program offers intermediate to advanced training in acting, singing and dancing. With supportive and nurturing guidance, the workshop encourages risk-taking and individual creative expression. The program culminates with two weeks of public performances. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Education and Outreach program at Rubicon Theatre Company, spear-headed by BrIan McDonald.

"I'm thrilled to direct In the Heights with this phenomenal cast. Some of the students have been with us since we started the summer programs, and it is so gratifying to see these performers grow and mature as artists." As to the musical, McDonald adds, "The music is incredible. It makes you want to get up, dance and just move. The story is relatable too. It's about home and community, but also about hopes and dreams. There's a real energy to this musical. It's palpable and contagious."

The Musical Theatre Intensive draws students from all over Ventura and L.A. County. This year's production ofIn the Heights features Abel Alderete (Oxnard), Alexandra Anthonioz (Ojai), Torie Ball (Oxnard), Daniel Brackett (Ventura), Zandler Chavez (Oxnard), Erika Cook (Ventura), Anna Demaria (Ventura), Yesenia Espinoza (Oxnard), Brogan Gallagher, Jesse Graham (Santa Paula), James Graham (Santa Paula), Becky Graham (Santa Paula), Kelsie Hoj (Ojai), Gabriel Lemus (Ventura), Zachary Meade (Ventura), Mimi Mize (Oxnard), Gabriel Nunag (Oxnard), Jenikka Francine Nunag (Oxnard), Stephen Russell, Sierra Shannon (Ventura), Michelle Sherman (Ventura), Erin Snett (Ojai), Mikayla Sullivan (Camarillo), Nico Wicklin (Chatsworth), Lucy Willhite (Oak View), Allison Zatlin (Thousand Oaks), Isabella Zonni (Whittier).

ABOUT THE DIRECTORS:

BRIan McDonald (Rubicon Associate Producer/Education and Outreach Director) appeared in the National Tours of Miss Saigon and Forever Plaid, the latter of which he also directed for various regional theatres including Rubicon. Other Rubicon directing credits include Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol; Other Desert Cities (5 Stage Scene LA Awards including Outstanding Direction and Production); A Tuna Christmas (in which he also appeared); The Sunset Limited; Bus Stop (five Ovation nominations including Best Play); Master Harold...and the boys (three Ovation nominations including Best Play, Indy Award and Stage Scene LA Award for Direction); and the World Premiere musical Hello! My Baby, written and conceived by Cheri Steinkellner. He also conceived and directed A Rubicon Family Christmas Concert. As an actor, Brian has appeared on the Rubicon stage in Forever Plaid, The Importance of Being Earnest, Man of La Mancha, A Tuna Christmas and the one-man show The SantaLand Diaries. Regionally, he has appeared on stage at Denver Center, Theatre Virginia, The Lyric Stage, La Mirada Performing Arts Center, Ensemble Theatre Company, The Pasadena Playhouse, Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center and the Ahmanson. Brian received the L.A. Weekly Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Gaveston in the Circle X production ofEdward II. He holds a B.F.A. from Boston Conservatory.

Carolanne Marano (Choreographer) has been a professional dancer/actor for the past 30 years. She returns to Rubicon having recently worked as Choreographer for My Fair Lady and Choreographer/Director for West Side Story. She most recently served as the Director/Choreographer for Once on this Island at the University of North Carolina. Her work as a Choreographer includes A Night in Paris a Go-Go with Belinda Carlisle/Rufus Wainwright New Year's Eve show for the LA Philharmonic; Three Musketeers and Avenue Q at Cape Fear Regional Theatre; Urinetown, The Drowsy Chaperone, Godspell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Romeo and Juliet at Rubicon Theatre; Venus and Adonis at George Cadbury Hall, UK; The Music Man at Downey Civic Light Opera; and the film "The Ghastly Love of Johnny X." Carolanne has taught Musical Theatre at The University of Southern Oregon; University of Worcester, UK; and Pineapple Dance Studio in London, England. A member of Actors Equity, she has performed as Nellie Forbush in Downey Civic Light Opera's South Pacific and at the Hollywood Bowl with Reba McIntire in South Pacific, among others.

John Enrico Douglas (Musical Director) Since retiring from the legal profession, John has served as musical director and/or pianist for scores of Broadway musicals and revues at Santa Barbara area high schools, and youth, community and professional theatre companies, including PCPA and Circle Bar B Dinner Theater. For his musical direction of Rubicon's Youth production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, John was honored with a Santa Barbara Indy Award. Most recently he has served as music director for BigStage's Hairspray at the Lobero Theater, Animal Farm at Westmont College, 42nd Street at Goleta Valley Junior HS and the west coast high school premiere of Disney's Tarzan at Dos Pueblos HS. John's credits as a songwriter/composer include two shows at Santa Barbara High School (Village Fable, 2008 and Pinocchio, 2009), six shows with City at Peace at Center Stage Theater (2007-2012), and a show at PVAC summer camp (2005). He is in his sixth year as adjunct music instructor at Westmont, where he directs the jazz band and teaches piano, and is in his seventh year as director of the GVJHS jazz bands. John is on staff in the Santa Barbara City College music department, and on faculty at SBCC adult education. He recently arranged and orchestrated production numbers for the grand opening gala of the renovated Garvin Theater at SBCC. Performing credits include tours with the Pointer Sisters, Donald O'Connor and Eddie Fisher, and shows with Aretha Franklin and Dizzy Gillespie, among others.

The design and production team for In the Heights includes David King (Set Designer), Nick McCord (Lighting Designer), Kenny Hobbs (Sound Designer), Amber Zepf (Costume Designer) Jessie Vacchiano (Production Manager) and Kimberly De Leon (Stage Manager).

The show runs approximately 120 minutes, plus one 10-minute intermission.

Rubicon Theatre Company's Musical Theatre Intensive presentation of In the Heights runs Friday, August 5 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, August 6 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Sunday, August 7 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.,Wednesday, August 10, Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, August 13 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Performances are at the company's home at 1006 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001. Advance tickets sales are $15 -$20 (Tickets are $5 more at the door.) To purchase by phone, call the Rubicon Box Office 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 7 days a week at (805) 667-2900. To purchase tickets online, go to www.rubicontheatre.org.

Pictured: Jenikka Francine Nunag and Jesse Graham play love interests Vanessa and Usnavi respectively in the summer youth production of the Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights. Photo by BrIan McDonald.