Javier Muñoz to Replace Lin-Manuel Miranda in In the Heights

Javier Muñoz, an original cast member of In the Heights, will assume the role of Usnavi in the Tony Award-winning musical beginning on February 16. Muñoz is replacing Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show's creator and star, who will play his final performance on February 15 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

Muñoz, who joined the show for its first reading in 2005, has played in the show’s ensemble and as Usnavi’s understudy. He made his Broadway debut with the production. In addition to the off-Broadway production of In The Heights, his credits include The Porch and All Is Love. His TV credits include Umizumis.

“Javi played Usnavi in those crucial moments when I needed to step out and watch the show as composer," Miranda said in a statement. "He's evolved in tandem with the role and helped me to discover qualities and nuance in this character that I may not have otherwise known. I'm proud to be handing the hat over to such a talented man.”

The actor will head a cast that currently features Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, Robin De Jesús, Mandy Gonzalez, Marcy Harriell, Christopher Jackson, Priscilla Lopez, Olga Merediz, Rick Négron, Seth Stewart, Tony Chiroldes, Noemi Del Rio, Rosie Lani Fiedelman, Marcus Paul James, Nina Lafarga, Doreen Montalvo, Krysta Rodriguez, Eliseo Román, Luis Salgado, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Rickey Tripp, Michael Balderrama, Blanca Camacho, Joshua Henry, Stephanie Klemons, Jose Luis Lopez, Jon Rua and Elise Santora.