In the Heights: Clifton Oliver plays Benny

On 16 Aug 2010 Clifton Oliver assumes the role of 'Benny' from original cast member Christopher Jackson in the Tony Award-winning musical In The Heights.

Clifton Oliver performed in the ensemble of 'Wicked' after finishing a four-year run as 'Simba' in 'The Lion King' (L.A.). He recently appeared in 'Miracle Brothers' at the Vineyard.

In The Heights now stars *Janet Dacal (Nina), *Corbin Bleu (Usnavi), Marcy Harriell (Vanessa), Priscilla Lopez (Camila), *Bianca Marroquin (Daniela), Olga Merediz (Abuela Claudia), Rick Negrón (Kevin), Clifton Oliver (Benny), Courtney Reed (Carla), Shaun Taylor-Corbett (Sonny) and Jon Rua (Graffiti Pete).
*Kyle Beltran assumes the role of 'Usnavi' and Jordin Sparks the role of 'Nina' from 19 Aug 2010, Andrea Burns the role of 'Daniela' from 5 Sep 2010.

In The Heights opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on 9 Mar 2008, following previews from 14 Feb 2008, and is currently selling tickets through to 26 Feb 2011.

The show opened on Broadway to mostly good to luke-warm reviews: "There is no more joyful musical to see this season." (New York Theatre Guide); "What it lacks in story and believability it makes up for in a vibrant rap- and salsa-flavored score." (NY Daily News); "Delivers a festive time that plenty of people will enjoy." (Star-Ledger); "Not a great musical. But it's about as impossible to dislike as an adorable puppy." (USA Today); "Deeply flawed and deeply pleasurable." (NY Sun) and "an uncalculated charmer. (Variety).

In The Heights: A quintessential New York musical about a vibrant and tight-knit community at the top of the island of Manhattan. The music pulses with the hopes and dreams of three generations as they struggle to forge an identity in a neighborhood on the brink of transition.

The musical is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, scene design by Anna Louizos, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley and sound by Acme Sound Partners.

In The Heights is the winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.

In The Heights is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman, who also produced the Off Broadway production.

The show began life off Broadway at 37 Arts Theatre, where it ran from 8 Feb - 15 Jul 2007, playing 33 preview and 182 regular performances. That production won the 2007 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Choreographer, the 2007 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Ensemble Performance, Outer Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Choreography, Obie Award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics, and finally a Theatre World Award for Lin-Manuel Miranda.