Joe Caruncho, Jr., Tony Chiroldes Set for IN THE HEIGHTS at Front Porch Theatricals, 8/23-9/1

Following a whirlwind week in May auditioning talent from Pittsburgh and New York City, Front Porch Theatricals and Carrnivale Theatrics announce their cast for their upcoming production of In the Heights. The cast of 25 hail from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, New York, Florida, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania, and includes eleven ensemble members and five principals who have roots in Pittsburgh (including nine students from Point Park University and five from Carnegie Mellon University).

Director and Carrnivale Theatrics co-founder, Justin Fortunato, describes the production as "something that fits perfectly with the types of productions we put on - pulling mostly from the incredible actors in Pittsburgh and putting on a show that promotes community as much as we do."

Among the principals, Tony Chiroldes revives his role of Kevin Rosario, which he played on Broadway.

Having selected its cast, assembled top-notch artistic and production talent (Musical Director Bob Neumeyer, Set Designer Tony Ferrieri, Lighting Designer Andy Ostrowski and Sound Designer Dave Bjornson, among others), and building on their very successful collaboration on Next to Normal (Summer 2012), Carrnivale Theatrics and Front Porch Theatricals started the show's four-week rehearsal period on July 23rd. Performances of In the Heights run August 23rd to September 1st at The New Hazlett Theater on the North Side.

Tickets are available at www.carrnivale.com, www.showclix.com/event/IntheHeights or by calling ShowClix at 1-888-718-4253. Tickets will also be available at the door. Ticket prices for the August 23 opening night performance, which includes a post-performance dessert reception, are $35. Ticket prices for the remaining shows are $25 for adults, and $18 for seniors, students and groups.

In the Heights was nominated for 13 Tony Awards in 2008, winning four for Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations. The show was also a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

2013 marks the second consecutive show which Carrnivale Theatrics and Front Porch Theatricals are partnering, after the strong artistic and box office success of Next to Normal last summer. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette awarded Dana Michele Griffith an honorable mention for her portrayal of Diana, the tormented bipolar mother in Next to Normal.

When asked about the experience of working with Carrnivale again, co-producer Leon S. Zionts said: "We're very excited to be putting on a second show together. In the Heights is larger and grander than anything we've done before, but in working with such impressive actors and a great artistic/production team, we know we can take last year's success and build on it."

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