Janet Dacal and Newcomer David Del Rio Headed to In the Heights
Original cast member Janet Dacal and newcomer David Del Rio are headed to the cast of the Tony-winning musical In the Heights as Nina and Sonny, respectively. Dacal will join the show on February 19, replacing Mandy Gonzalez, who will play her final performance on January 31. Del Rio will give his first performance on February 15, replacing Tony nominee Robin de Jesus, whose final performance will be on February 14. From February 1 through February 18, the role of Nina will alternate between understudies Nina Lafarga, Courtney Reed and Gabrielle Ruiz. In the Heights continues its run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, directed by Thomas Kail.
Dacal, who originated the role of Carla in In the Heights, most recently starred in the world premiere of Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland in Tampa. Her Broadway credits include Good Vibrations. Off-Broadway credits include Byzantium, and regional credits include Señor Discretion Himself, Five Course Love, Four Guys Named Jose and Annie.
Del Rio will make his Broadway debut in In the Heights. He had a starring role in Nickelodeon’s The Troop and has appeared in regional productions of Cosi, Rumors and The Elephant Man.
As of February 19, In the Heights will star Corbin Bleu, Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, David Del Rio, Marcy Harriell, Christopher Jackson, Priscilla Lopez, Olga Merediz, Rick Négron, Courtney Reed and William B. Wingfield leading a cast of 28 that features Tony Chiroldes, Dwayne Clark, Rosie Lani Fiedelman, Ruben Flores, Marcus Paul James, Nina Lafarga, Jennifer Locke, Doreen Montalvo, Gabrielle Ruiz, Luis Salgado, Kevin Santos, Rickey Tripp, Michael Balderrama, Blanca Camacho, Stephanie Klemons, Allison Thomas Lee, Alejandra Reyes, Jon Rua and Marcos Santana.
Known for its hip-hop and Latin-infused music, pulsing beats, and explosive dance, In the Heights covers two days in the life of the residents of Washington Heights, where families are fighting to make a new home in a neighborhood that is threatening to push them out.
